A recent study shows that the medical expense of intoxicated patients from minor motor vehicle accidents is more than 4 times greater than sober drivers.
The median cost for treating intoxicated patients was $5,884, compared with $1,346 for sober drivers. Treating drunk drivers cost so much more, they explain, primarily due to the differences in number of tests ordered and duration of stay… presumably because those patients were less capable of explaining to doctors what hurt and where, though the researchers don’t expressly state that. ~ Time
In one year, in one hospital, in tiny Rhode Island the difference between drunk and sober of the 1,618 patients would amount to over $7 million. Hey White House, looking for medical savings to save healthcare reform?
Hangovers, DUI’s, and shameful regret are sheepishly admitted by most people as the typical cost of overindulgence and alcohol abuse. Only in rare instances, and usually just in recovery circles is the hidden cost of alcohol openly admitted and discussed. This includes drop outs, divorce, insolvency, incarceration, neglect and abuse (and that’s the sanitized abbreviated list)- more often than not, alcohol is going to be involved or the primary culprit.
