Average Alcohol Spending: Annual Costs & Heavy Drinker Expenses

According to a 2017 study by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), the average annual spending on alcohol per adult in the United States was $843. This figure includes both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

However, the NIAAA also reports that people who drink heavily (defined as consuming more than four drinks per day for men and more than three drinks per day for women) spend significantly more on alcohol. On average, heavy drinkers spend $2,469 per year on alcohol.

This figure is likely to be even higher for alcoholics, who are defined as people who have a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive alcohol consumption, loss of control over drinking, and a negative impact on physical, mental, and social functioning.

In addition to the direct costs of alcohol, alcoholics may also incur significant indirect costs, such as lost productivity at work, healthcare costs, and legal fees.

The total economic cost of alcohol abuse in the United States is estimated to be $249 billion per year.