New research suggests that alcohol use is hurting the American economy, Bloomberg Business reported.

A study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that excessive alcohol drinking cost the United States $249 billion in 2010, or $2.05 per drink, a significant increase from $223.5 billion, or $1.90 per drink, in 2006. Most of these costs were due to reduced workplace productivity, crime, and the cost of treating people for health problems caused by excessive drinking.

Binge drinking, defined as drinking five or more drinks on one occasion for men or four or more drinks on one occasion for women, was responsible for 77 percent of these costs, WECT News reported. Two of every 5 dollars of costs - more than $100 billion -- were paid by governments.

"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," Robert Brewer, one of the study authors and head of CDC's Alcohol Program, said in a statement. "Effective prevention strategies can reduce excessive drinking and related costs in states and communities, but they are under used."

According to the CDC, excessive alcohol consumption is responsible for an average of 88,000 deaths each year. They also estimate that one in 10 deaths among working-age Americans can be contributed to excessive drinking, according to Bloomberg Business.

Too much drinking cost states and the District of Columbia a median of $3.5 billion in 2010, ranging from $488 million in North Dakota to $35 billion in California. According to the CDC, Washington D.C. had the highest cost per person ($1,526, compared to the $807 national average), and New Mexico had the highest cost per drink ($2.77, compared to the $2.05 national average).

The 2010 cost estimates were based on changes in the occurrence of alcohol-related problems and the cost of paying for them since 2006.

The findings are detailed in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.