Commentary on Salize etal. (2013): Treating alcoholism reduces financial burden on care-givers and increases their quality-adjusted life years

摘要

Although the adverse effects of harmful drinking on the family are well known, scientific studies quantifying the burden have been lacking. The study by Salize et al. [1] provides scholarly documentation showing that, after alcoholism treatment, the family or care-givers improve their life quality substantially, spend less time on caring and save money, especially because less money is spent on alcohol. Corresponding studies have been published for mental diseases, mainly schizophrenia, but not for alcohol dependence. Thus, this is a pioneering study, contributing to an increased focus on the relatives' problems.