I KNEW IT!!!!

According to an *enlightening* news report titled, "Alcohol use helps boost income: study", the following has been reported:

People who consume alcohol earn significantly more at their jobs than non-drinkers, according to a US study that highlighted "social capital" gained from drinking.

The study published in the Journal of Labor Research Thursday concluded that drinkers earn 10 to 14 percent more than teetotalers, and that men who drink socially bring home an additional seven percent in pay.

"Social drinking builds social capital," said Edward Stringham, an economics professor at San Jose State University and co-author of the study with fellow researcher Bethany Peters. "Social drinkers are out networking, building relationships, and adding contacts to their BlackBerries that result in bigger paychecks."

The researchers found some differences in the economic effects of drinking among men and women. They concluded that men who drink earn 10 percent more than abstainers and women drinkers earn 14 percent more than non-drinkers.

See? I knew there was a reason that I'm a drinker!!! And I can actually earn MORE than a man, percentage-wise, because I drink??? Score! It does go on to say this, though:

However, unlike men, who get a seven percent income boost from drinking in bars, women who frequent bars at least once per month do not show higher earnings than women drinkers who do not visit bars.

"Perhaps women increase social capital apart from drinking in bars," the researchers said in an effort to explain the gender gap.

What the hell does that imply? Lushy women don't benefit as much from bar-hopping as men because..... they can just get drunk and sleep their way to the top instead with no need for the bar scene? Either way, I'm still just relishing the semi-justification of my love of alcohol. ;)