Alcohol abuse costing Britain £6 billion a year

Alcohol abuse could be costing the United Kingdom up to £6 billion a year in NHS bills, premature death, losses to business and drink-related crimes and accidents, reported The Daily Mail. A study by the Royal College of Physicians said drink-related health problems could account for up to 12% of total NHS spending on hospitals, about £3 billion. Campaigners said that with the estimated £3 billion lost through absenteeism, unemployment, premature deaths and alcohol-related crimes and accidents the total cost of excessive drinking is £6 billion.