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Maybe it's the fact that our 40(k)s have taken a nosedive (not to mention our iTunes and sushi funds). Whatever the reason, a recent study found that more and more women are upping their intake of alcohol.

In the last decade, the number of ladies falling under the heading of "heavy drinkers" has increased, while the number of women who think of themselves as light drinkers has declined. Factor in that not everyone wants to own up to their nightly G & T habit, and we're guessing that the stats are pretty saucy.

This isn't that surprising, say researchers, when you consider the number of women who have risen through the ranks and taken on traditionally masculine roles in the last several decades. They often feel they have to hang like their male co-workers to get ahead. Add to that a new finding that women are more likely to feel the physical and psychological effects of a recession, and you have a recipe for one incredibly strong cocktail craving.

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Most Dangerous Drinks

    Ethanol/Grain Alcohol It is illegal to sell this 190-proof "drink" in California, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington. Obviously, the liver has lobbyists in those states.

    Jeff Gentner, AP

    Moonshine Prohibition caused people to take all sorts of odd steps to get their buzz on. For those who took the Bo and Luke route, a shoddy brew included methanol (aka wood alcohol) that acts in a few hours and can cause blindness. Perhaps that allowed them to not realize they were making out with cousin Daisy.

    Hector Mata, AFP / Getty Images

    Hjemmebrent Norway's moonshine goes a bit further, since it is distilled to 96 percent alcohol. In Tara Grescoe's book "The Devil's Picnic," drinking hjemmebrent is described this way: "You were sober then you were drunk. It was grim, goal-oriented, and a little sad. And the hangover was like no other." Scary. We can't imagine anything worse than a PBR hangover.

    vgb.no

    Blood Religious groups and tribes, including the Suri of Ethiopia, have been drinking blood for centuries. For some it's a ritual, for others it's just a great way to risk contracting Hepatitis B and C.

    Corbis

    Coca Cola Coca-Cola launched the disastrous "New Coke" in 1985, but in truth, the stuff we'd been consuming for decades was new. The true original version had cocaine in it. If Coca Cola still had cocaine in it, the world would be a sleepless wasteland of rambling teeth grinders.

    AP

    Black Drink Made from roasted leaves of the Yaupon Holly, Native Americans males consumed the Black Drink in a ritualistic manner, substituting it for coffee or tea. They purged themselves after imbibing for hours at a time, leading to the berry's appealing Latin name, "Ilex vomitoria."

    wikipedia.com

    Jolt Cola Jolt Cola's slogan is "all the sugar and twice the caffeine." But if you consider that a few of the symptoms of caffeine overdose include restlessness, nervousness, insomnia, increased urination, gastrointestinal distress, muscle twitching, irritability, and irregular heart beat, a cold Jolt doesn't sound so good.

    AP

    Bombes Enterprising bar owners in Greece originally came up with Bombes -- a mixture of alcohol and cheap, dangerous industrial spirits. These drinks are so lethal that the government had to step in, because the loss of bar patrons due to death wasn't enough to keep them from being served.

    Fox Photos / Getty Images

    Bud Extra A couple of years back, someone at Budweiser came up with a plan to keep beer drinkers from passing out. They called it "B to the E," and injected it with ginseng and high levels of caffeine. In June 2008, Anheuser-Busch pulled the product in response to public criticism, which was completely warranted.

    AP

    Kumis Though not technically a danger to your physical health, there's something psychologically troubling about sipping Kumis, a booze made from fermented mare's milk. Russians have been drinking from the horse's teat for centuries, but we'll pass.

    wikipedia.com


And as Lemondrop blogger CJ Arabia will tell you, drinking isn't the only way that women unwind during a recession. Some, especially the newly unemployed, find themselves ditching the diet and gaining weight after a job loss, turning to excess snacking out of stress and boredom.

Tell us! How has the economic downturn affected your drinking or dieting habits? Do you think it's more acceptable now for a woman to drink?

Awful Clothing Label Tattoos

    Lacoste croc Fact: In the 1930s, this reptile marked the first time a logo appeared on the outside of a shirt. Fiction: He's going to want to rock this look forever.

    from the book No Regrets (Hachette Book Group USA)

    Converse Chuck Taylor logo No one at the beach will have to wonder what he'd rather have on his feet. Though by the looks of his flesh, he's not spending too much time there anyway.

    Flickr

    Nike swoosh This guy likes Nike. He reeeeaaally likes Nike.

    virginiamiracle.com

    Chanel C's The most popular label tattoos seem to be the Chanel double C's. Whatever would Coco have said about this?

    fashionista.com

    Puma brand cat Sneaker aficionado? Big cat fan? Possibly both.

    strong62kenny, Flickr

    Abercrombie & Fitch moose Whoa. We grew up believing that nice guys don the Abercrombie mascot; bad boys get tattoos. With one strategic swatch of ink, this young buck has blown our minds.

    Photobucket

    Chanel C's This rad belle's double C's appear to be either on fire or melting. Is that a compliment?

    sparkshelf.com

    Louis Vuitton print A Belgian artist anesthetized, then inked these porkers. Brand-name bacon, anyone?

    Photobucket

    Nike AirMax C'mon, you've heard the old saying: If you find a pair of comfortable shoes, buy two. And then have it tattooed on you permanently. What, your grandma never said that?

    vimby.com

    Betsey Johnson signature rose Love a designer but don't want their actual signature on you? Do like this lady, who borrowed Betsey Johnson's oft-used flower for her shoulder art.

    ask-fashion-kitty.blogspot.com