[Head injuries and alcohol--social and economic costs]

The authors tried to calculate the costs due to head trauma in drunkard s hospitalized in Lódź. An analysis included: costs of the hospitalization, reimbursements, additional costs of the neurological and surgical management, and costs Emergency Service (ambulances). It was found that Lódź inhabitants pay annually nearly 7 billion Zloty. The authors suggest that actual regulations concerning free health care should be modified in case of alcoholics. Such patients should bear all costs related to their transport to the hospitals, treatment and additional tests.