Binge Drinking is a Bigger Problem than Previously Thought

Native News Network Staff in Native Health. Discussion »


Binge Drinking is a Bigger Problem80,000 Deaths Each Year

ATLANTA - New estimates, release by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, show that binge drinking is a bigger problem than previously thought. Binge drinking is broken down as men drinking five or more alcoholic drinks within a short period of time or women drinking four or more drinks within a short period of time.

More than 38 million US adults binge drink, about 4 times a month, and the largest number of drinks per binge is on average 8. This behavior greatly increases the chances of getting hurt or hurting others due to car crashes, violence, and suicide. Drinking too much, including binge drinking, causes 80,000 deaths in the US each year and, in 2006 cost the economy $223.5 billion. Binge drinking is a problem in all states, even in states with fewer binge drinkers, because they are binging more often and in larger amounts.

Problem

Binge drinking is a dangerous and costly public health problem.

  • Binge drinking is about more than just the number of binge drinkers. The amount and number of times binge drinkers drink are also important to address.
    • Age group with most binge drinkers:  18-34 years
    • Age group that binge drinks most often:  65+ years
    • Income group with most binge drinkers:  more than $75,000
    • Income group that binge drinks the most often and drinks most per binge:  less than $25,000
  • Most alcohol-impaired drivers binge drink.
  • Most people who binge drink are not alcohol dependent or alcoholics.
  • More than half of the alcohol adults drink is while binge drinking.
  • More than 90% of the alcohol youth drink is while binge drinking.

Binge drinking costs everyone.

  • Drinking too much, including binge drinking, cost $746 per person, or $1.90 a drink, in the US in 2006. These costs include health care expenses, crime, and lost productivity.
  • Binge drinking cost federal, state, and local governments about 62 cents per drink in 2006, while federal and state income from taxes on alcohol totaled only about 12 cents per drink.
  • Drinking too much contributes to over 54 different injuries and diseases, including car crashes, violence, and sexually-transmitted diseases.
  • The chance of getting sick and dying from alcohol problems increases significantly for those who binge drink more often and drink more when they do.

posted January 11, 2011 6:00 am est

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