填空题

The American war on drugs has gotten all the type in recent years, but alcoholism is still the nation’s most serious (36) . True, casual drinking is no longer as (37) as it once was. But alcoholism’s toll remains (38) high: Some 18 million Americans (39) alcohol, and more than 100,000 die prematurely each year from alcohol-related causes. And alcoholism costs the nation $86 billion a year. Business picks up most of the tab. Virtually every company has workers with a drinking problem, often veteran employees in (40) or other critical positions. When their alcoholism goes (41) , it costs a bundle. Problem drinkers don’t (42) their weight in the office, are often chronically late or absent, and file $4600 more in health (43) a year than other employees. Their families’ doctor bills are much higher, too. Meanwhile, the company pays full salary and benefits for an employee who is fully functional only some of the time. (44) . But now the progress against Corporate America’s biggest drug problem is being threatened. Although few companies are eliminating alcohol treatment benefits entirely, many are hiring outside vendors to manage care (45) . This is bad business. Limiting treatment may seem to save money. But the one-time expense of helping an alcoholic recover is a fraction of the long-term potential cost. (46) .