Hangovers are doing some serious damage to our nation's economy

Beer is good, but too much beer is bad. Just ask the American economy, who suffered losses of nearly $77 billion as a product of hungover workers, according to a study released yesterday by the Center For Disease Control.

The CDC’s study, titled “2010 National and State Costs of Excessive Alcohol Consumption,” attempted to measure the effect of going too hard on the nation’s overall economy. They found “excessive alcohol use” cost the U.S. $249 billion in 2010, and of the $249 billion, 71.9% came from “lost productivity.” And of that “lost productivity” section, almost $77 billion came as a result of what the CDC is calling “impaired productivity at work.”

Excessive alcohol consumption is getting worse, according to the CDC:

“The increase in the costs of excessive drinking from 2006 to 2010 is concerning, particularly given the severe economic recession that occurred during these years,” said Robert Brewer, M.D., M.S.P.H., head of CDC’s Alcohol Program and one of the study’s authors. “Effective prevention strategies can reduce excessive drinking and related costs in states and communities, but they are under used.”

The study also highlighted the damage to the U.S economy state-by-state. Some of the standouts: Washington D.C was the winner, by far, in highest cost per person; each D.C. resident cost the country, on average, $1,526. Utah, with a $592 cost per person, brought up the rear. Hmm.

Michael Rosen is a reporter for Fusion based out of Oakland.