Additionally, excessive drinkers also pay more of these taxes -- 77 percent in California, 80 percent in Texas and 82 percent in Louisiana, for example -- than non-excessive drinkers. Excessive alcohol use is associated with approximately 88,000 deaths each year and cost the U.S. $223.5 billion in 2006, or $1.90 a drink. The total federal and state taxes on alcoholic beverages were approximately $0.12 per drink in 2006.