Alcohol dependence patterns and their impact on New York City.
As a follow-up to a national survey by the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA), an expert panel was convened to discuss local alcoholism data from New York, NY. The impact of alcoholism on the US economy is estimated at $185 billion annually. About 15% of New Yorkers drink alcohol excessively, with the highest percentage in Manhattan (22%). Over 135,000 New York City residents are admitted for alcohol treatment. Alcohol dependency is highest among whites (21%), followed by Latinos (14.8%) and African Americans (11%). Despite lower levels of excessive drinking, African-American and Latino New Yorkers are more likely than white New Yorkers to be hospitalized or die as a result of excessive drinking. The barriers to overcome are the lack of information on treatment options, the stigma of alcoholism, the lack of physician education, and a limited number of treatment facilities/personnel. Patients need behavioral counseling, a commitment to treatment, and compliance with medication if they are to succeed in treatment.
To
Stephen E
SE
Hoffmann-LaRoche Inc., PDR Drug Regulatory Affairs, Nutley, New Jersey, USA. sto1967@aol.com
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000191:economics; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers / Q000191:economics