One in six American adults is a binge drinker, consuming alcohol in excess about four times a month, according to a new report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The study — which defines binge drinking as five or more drinks in a short period of time for men and four or more for women — breaks down the nation’s 38 million binge drinkers by a variety of measures, including geography, age and income level. Wisconsin is the state with the most binge drinkers at 25 percent of the population, while Utah, home to the teetotaling Mormon church, comes in last at less than 11 percent.
“Binge drinking falls into a category of risky drinking,” Dr. Marc Galanter, director of the NYU School of Medicine’s Division of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, told The Daily. “As someone who treats people with alcohol problems, I’ve seen people start with binge drinking and carry on to more severe alcoholism.”
The CDC report noted that half of all alcohol consumed in the U.S. is consumed during binge drinking. For young people, that rate shoots up to 90 percent.
Binge drinking may be considered socially acceptable — to many, a fun night out at a bar. And many don’t see it as a sign of a serious drinking problem. Indeed, experts say less than 20 percent of binge drinkers would be medically diagnosed as alcoholics.
But health officials say binge drinking accounts for more than 40,000 deaths each year. It contributes to problems like violence and drunken-driving accidents and longer-term issues like cancer, heart disease and liver failure.
Other findings of the report:
• Binge drinking continues to be most common in men, people who have been to college, and those with incomes of $75,000 or more.
• Only about 4 percent of people 65 and older binge drink, far fewer than adults in other age groups. But they do it more often — five times a month, on average. Younger adults average closer to four episodes per month.
– With Associated Press
Justin.Silverman@thedaily.com
I thought this article, and the study it discusses, was interesting. But I think it is important to note that the book "Alcoholics Anonymous" suggests there is a difference between a "real" alcoholic and someone who merely abuses alcohol. Speaking for myself, I have found that to be both experientially and observationally true.
To put that idea more simply: All alcoholics are alcohol abusers, but not all alcohol abusers are alcoholics.
I find the definition of binge drinking setting a very low threshold that likely includes many non-alcoholics. Many of my "normal" drinker friends at work would have at one time drank five or more drinks in a short time. Maybe I have heard to many stories in the rooms to buy this clinical definition, but I don't give it much credibility. Interesting, yes.
Posted by: Roger | January 24, 2012 at 02:59 AM
This is the statistic I've always wondered about, when hearing of any study concerning alcoholics: How many alcoholics told the truth when asked how much alcohol they consume(d).
Posted by: M. | January 24, 2012 at 05:40 AM
I would prefer to be and alcohol abuser rather than an alcoholic. I wonder how many alcoholics claim to be just an alcohol abuser.
Posted by: cathartic writer | January 24, 2012 at 06:14 AM
Hmm, I don't know. I was a binge drinker I suppose and did not classify myself at that stage as a real or even potential alcoholic. Although I might have admitted to abusing alcohol.
I felt the bar on these sort of questionnaires/surveys were ridiculously high. :)
At some point I crossed a line. And I was only saved by AA. Despite trying every other possible method, as described in the Big Book!
But I was a high functioning/high bottom alcoholic so I have to work hard at remembering that I did cross a line and cannot go back.
I don't want to find out how real my alcoholism could get.
Posted by: Daisy Anon | January 24, 2012 at 08:28 AM
Eight drinks at a time, 4 days a month??!!! What a bunch of lightweights! If that's all I drank, I wouldn't have gone to AA and bothered to get sober. At its worst, my drinking was more like 30 drinks a day, 29 days a month.
Posted by: Tyler | January 25, 2012 at 08:39 AM
A simple alcohol abuser can be very different from an alcoholic. They differ according to how frequent each person drinks every day and how many bottles or glasses are consumed.
Posted by: Owen Lowe | February 22, 2012 at 06:38 AM
binge drinking is pretty tricky, a one can think that he is partying or relaxing occasionally, but psychologists say that it's a first sign of an alcohol addiction. of course it won't lead to alcoholism in 100% of cases, but still... be aware.
Posted by: signs of alcohol addiction | February 23, 2012 at 04:13 PM
This problem must not be taken for granted by the people in America. The population is getting bigger, so, the rate of alcoholism must be lessened.
Posted by: Ann Hall | December 12, 2012 at 12:47 AM