CDC: Excessive drinking cost US $249B in 2010

A new report by the CDC says that excessive drinking is giving America an economic hangover. The study found that in 2010, it cost the country $249 billion, a $26 billion increase from 2006. Experts

News 12 Staff

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Oct 17, 2015, 6:33 AM

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Updated 3,358 days ago

A new report by the CDC says that excessive drinking is giving America an economic hangover.

The study found that in 2010, it cost the country $249 billion, a $26 billion increase from 2006.

Experts attribute the costs of excessive drinking to reduced workplace productivity and crime.

The report says that workplace productivity losses associated with excessive drinking cost the country $179 billion alone.

Binge drinking -- consuming five or more drinks on one occasion for men or four or more drinks for women -- accounted for 77 percent of the costs.

Underage drinking was responsible for almost 10 percent of the costs.

Researchers say they still believe the report underestimates the cost of excessive drinking, since information on alcohol use is often under-reported or unavailable.