Binge drinking isn’t just for college students anymore. According to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 17% of American adults binge drink, which means that they consume more than four (for women) or five (for men) drinks in one occasion. That’s about 38 million U.S. adults, but the percentage could be much higher because many people will not admit to exactly how much they drink.
The highest numbers of binge drinking still occur in the college-aged population (18- to 24-year olds), with 28% of the people in this age range admitting to binge drinking. Men are much more likely to binge drink than women.
Older adults, though, also admit to binge drinking. In fact, those aged 65 and older were more likely to binge drink more frequently. Although the majority of other binge drinking groups drank in excess about four times per month, drinkers aged 65 and older reported that they binge drink five to six times per month.
Binge drinking habits also vary by location. Wisconsin drinkers were most likely to binge drink, with 25.9% of the adult population bingeing. However, Kentucky drinkers were most likely to participate in binge drinking more often, with an average of six binge drinking occasions per month. Utah, West Virginia and New Jersey residents had the lowest levels of binge drinking.
Unfortunately, binge drinking can harm individuals’ health. It can increase the odds of liver and stomach problems, certain cancers, being involved in car accidents and can bring about many bad decisions during the intoxication phase. Many binge drinkers would therefore benefit from an alcohol treatment program.
At an alcohol treatment program like Vista Taos in New Mexico, program residents can participate in an alcohol treatment program that meets their individual needs. For more information, contact an alcohol treatment program near you today.
