“Do you know how much we spend on our cravings? The true amount is staggering.”
This is Part 1 of a three-part series exposing the economics of alcoholism. Today, we’re putting a dollar sign on your addiction—and the numbers will floor you.
The Cold, Hard Math of Addiction
Let’s break down what it costs to be an alcoholic in America today, focusing on beer and wine (the “respectable” addictions).
Beer Drinker’s Budget (2024)
| Purchase Type | Avg. Price | Weekly Cost | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheap case (Pabst, 24 cans) | $24 ($1/beer) | $48 | $192 | $2,304 |
| Gas station 6-pack | $12 ($2/beer) | $84 | $336 | $4,032 |
| Craft IPA 6-pack | $16 ($2.66/beer) | $112 | $448 | $5,376 |
| Bar drafts (4x/week) | $6/beer | $240 | $960 | $11,520 |
Wine Drinker’s Budget (2024)
| Purchase Type | Avg. Price | Weekly Cost | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Box wine (Franzia) | $18 (5L box) | $36 | $144 | $1,728 |
| Cheap bottle (Trader Joe’s) | $6 | $42 | $168 | $2,016 |
| Mid-range bottle | $15 | $105 | $420 | $5,040 |
| Restaurant wine (3x/week) | $12/glass | $252 | $1,008 | $12,096 |
The Bottom Line:
- Minimum annual cost (survival-mode alcoholic): $1,728
- Average annual cost (functional alcoholic): $5,000-$8,000
- High-end annual cost (bar regular): $11,000-$15,000
Inflation’s Brutal Impact
- 1994 vs. 2024:
- Case of beer: $9 → $24+ (167% increase)
- Cheap wine bottle: $3 → $8+ (166% increase)
- Wages vs. Alcohol Prices:
- Median income rose 85% since 1990.
- Alcohol prices rose 150-200%.
Translation: Alcohol is 2-3x more expensive relative to income than it was 30 years ago.
What You’re Sacrificing
That $5,000/year could instead:
- Pay off a credit card in 18 months.
- Fund a family vacation to Europe.
- Buy a used car outright.
- Cover 6 months of rent in most states.
“For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost?” —Luke 14:28
A System Designed to Bankrupt You
This isn’t accidental. America’s economy thrives on your addiction:
- Happy Hour culture (drink more, pay less—for now).
- Normalized bar tabs (“Just one more round!”).
- Convenience (Liquor stores outnumber libraries 10:1).
By design, you’re kept:
☑️ Too broke to escape the grind
☑️ Too numb to question the system
☑️ Too ashamed to demand change
Your Turn
- Calculate your spending: Use the tables above.
- Comment below: What’s the craziest thing you’ve sacrificed for alcohol?
- Share this post: Tag someone who needs a financial wake-up call.
Coming Next:
- Part 2: Who’s Getting Rich Off Your Addiction? (Spoiler: AB InBev made $7.7 billion profit last year.)
- Part 3: The Hidden Costs (Healthcare, DUIs, lost wages).
P.S. If this made you sweat, wait until you see what we’re exposing tomorrow. Subscribe so you don’t miss it.
Grateful Truce 
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