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.. or is it, the more success, the more you drink?
 ... or is it, the more success, the more you drink? A recent research study from the UK, conducted by the Office of National Statistics, seems to suggest that the more successful you are, the more you tend to drink. In fact, the research states that individuals in stressful positions drink the equivalent of almost three bottles of wine per week. Men in prominent, high stress positions drink an average of nearly 23 units per week, which translates to over 11 medium-sized glasses of wine. Men are also likely to drink twice as much as women. Interesting stuff.
Although consumer statistics from the beverage alcohol industry suggest that the overall consumption of alcohol had fallen by 5% between 2004 and 2006, this new research seems to highlight the possibility that these statistics are wrong due to under-reporting, under-estimating and the inclusion of non-drinkers in the reported drinking averages. In addition to this, previous studies have failed to take into account the change in consumer habits toward bigger and stronger drinks, including beer.
"Previous studies have pointed to waning total alcohol consumption, but the researchers became concerned that they had not taken into account the trend for stronger beer and the serving of wine in larger glasses."
The study also offers a bit of vindication, perhaps, for those of us with Scottish or Welsh heritage - the English are shown to drink more than either of these two groups in the new research.
There is no data provided for Americans drinking habits, but I'd wager they are similar. Being in a media profession myself, I can attest to the empirical observation that "corporate-types" do seem to be able to throw 'em back with the best of 'em. I consider my job to be fairly stressful at times, but I don't know that I fit into the averages suggested in the recent research. I generally drink 1-2 beers (granted, they're typically high gravity beers) a night, or less, during the week. On the weekends, I'd estimate I drink 4-6 beers. That's not more than 8 beers per week for me ... and that is being generous, I think.
I am fortunate that I am truly able to put quality above quantity and never drink for it's inebriating effect. I don't drink cheap beer, and I don't have the desire to drink any beer, no matter how good, in excessively large quantities. Am I the exception or the rule? Let me know what your experience has been? How much alcohol (beer or otherwise) do you drink in a typical week?
I need to know how successful I am ...
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