Alcoholism Does Not Respond to Price Increases
A Response from a staff member to a study conducted at a U.K. University that states price increases will reduce problem drinking.
An study from the University of Edinburgh and the Royal Edinburgh Hospital points out the obvious: heavy drinkers seek out cheap alcohol.
Unfortunately, the conclusion of the study (reported on by this BBC Article) is that if minimum prices are enforced on alcoholic beverages then overconsumption could be reduced.
This couldn't be less true - for an alcoholic.
Don't get me wrong. For those of us who are "acohol abusers" and "problem 
drinkers," there might be a reduction in overconsumption as prices go up. Actually, all traditional models of the free will economic marketplace will support the idea that an increase in price will lead to a reduction in demand.
What's interesting is to realize this: if you're a true alcoholic, then money is no object.
The Alcoholic is Not Making a "Choice"
The study and BBC article highlight a common misconception in society - that the addict is making a choice or that using drugs or alcohol is a luxury that the alcoholic or addict is opting for; foregoing other luxuries or necessities "by choice."
This is hurtful to those of us who have lost everything to our addiction. Imagine the woman who has her children revoked by the court system because of the negative legal consequences brought about by her inability to quit drinking. In this case, alcoholism has hijacked the most primal of human needs and desires- the desire of a mother to care for her young. It is laughable to contemplate that a tax on alcohol would change this woman's drinking behavior and prevent her from losing her children.
For more information about refuting the argument that addiction is a choice, visit Kevin McCauley's website www.addictiondoctor.com.
