Hungover? Your Wild Night Out Is Costing America's Economy
Had a night of too much fun? We've all been there. You drag yourself into work despite that queasy stomach and pounding head. You're hungover.
Of course, a constant love-affair with booze can harm both your personal and professional life, but it may also be hurting the economy, according to a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Findings showed that excessive alcohol drinking cost the United States $249 billion in 2010, or $2.05 per drink; this is quite a significant increase from $223.5 billion, or $1.90 per drink, in 2006.
Binge drinking was high up on the list for malfunctioning employees, with an estimated 77 percent of costs coming from too many shots or beers in a single outing.
"Most of these costs were due to reduced workplace productivity, crime, and the cost of treating people for health problems caused by excessive drinking," the study authors noted in a statement.
The CDC came up with this information based on compiling data from drinking-related healthcare costs, related accidents, alcohol-fueled crimes and reduced work productivity, which came from changes in the occurrences of alcohol-related problems and the cost of their payment since 2006.
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