A new study finds that excessive alcohol use continues to be a drain on the American economy.
Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that excessive drinking cost the U.S. $249 billion in 2010, or $2.05 per drink, a significant increase from $223.5 billion, or $1.90 per drink, in 2006.
Investigators say most of these costs were due to reduced workplace productivity, crime, and the cost of treating people for health problems caused by excessive drinking.
Binge drinking, defined as drinking five or more drinks on one occasion for men or four or more drinks on one occasion for women, played a significant role in the expenditures. This behavior was responsible for most of these costs (77 percent).
The study appears in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
[For more of this story, written by Rick Nauert, go to http://psychcentral.com/news/2...n-economy/93705.html]
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