I came across an article on Forbes.com titled Ten Reasons to Drink During the Holidays… as if we need a list. Aren’t the in-law visits and the forthcoming credit card bills enough?

It’s no surprise that alcohol intake increases during this season. Between work parties, friend parties, family gatherings and festive outings there’s plenty of opportunity to add holiday cheer, in a bottle or on the rocks.

Although festive and full of love, the holidays undoubtedly take a toll on our sanity and our bank accounts. Hence the seasonal binge drinking. Forbes reports that according to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, the $49 billion distilled-spirits industry makes more than 25% of its profits from Thanksgiving to the New Year. Wow.

Sure, all of that drinking can certainly take its toll on your liver, but drinking and driving is a whole different kind of stupid. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving of Irving, Tex., in 2003, more than 1,500 people were killed in the U.S. due to alcohol-related crashes between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day.

That being said, just be careful as you continue to indulge in those "holiday helpers" over the next couple of weeks. Cheers!

TAGS [ HOLIDAY DRINKING | HOLIDAY PARTIES ]