How Much Does A Hangover Cost?

The cost of excessive U.S. alcohol consumption – mostly binge drinking – in 2006 reached $223.5 billion, or $746 per citizen, officials say. A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defined heavy drinking as consuming an average of more than one alcoholic beverage per day for women, and an average of more than two alcoholic beverages per day for men, and any drinking by pregnant women or underage youth. The study found that $94.2 billion of the total economic costs of excessive alcohol consumption were covered by federal, state and local governments, while $92.9 billion was covered by excessive drinkers and their family members. Government agencies paid most of the healthcare expenses due to excessive alcohol use, while drinkers and their families bore most of the cost of lost productivity – primarily in the form of lower household income.