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American Drinking Remains Steady in Recession
July 2, 2009

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News Summary

A new Gallup Poll shows that the recession has done little to change Americans drinking habits, UPI reported June 29.

The June 14-17 telephone poll found that 64 percent of adults said they drink alcohol, roughly the same amount as a year ago.

That figure has changed little -- varying between 3 or 4 percentage points -- since 1947. The number fluctuated slightly between 1974 and 1981, when 68 percent to 71 percent of Americans said they drank alcohol.

The June survey interviewed over 1,000 adults nationwide and had a sampling error of three percent.

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Posted by Margaret on 06 Jul 09 12:29 PM EDT
I'm not surprised by this finding. The loss of homes, jobs and families did not stop many people from drinking; why shoud a recession?

Posted by maxwood on 06 Jul 09 08:40 PM EDT
It is my understanding that maldigestion of junk foods results in the production of alcohol in your gut which autointoxicates you resulting in stupid behaviors which make certain companies rich such as Fill Up More Rich. Whether you overtly drink alcohol in beverages may be moot. What about the synergy of white flour hamburger bun and 20-ounces of acid pop? If you need to "sober up", a hot-burning overdose cigarette will seem very helpful, and that's how kids get hooked.

Posted by pixie on 26 Jul 09 04:26 PM EDT
I'm surprised the drinking rate hasn't gone UP since the start of the recession...i'd expect more people to be drowning their sorrows since the world is going to hell in a handbasket. That's not to say that i endorse alcohol as an analgesic.

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