Binge drinking is a serious but preventable public health problem.
Binge drinking is defined as consuming 5 or more drinks on an occasion for men or 4 or more drinks on an occasion for women.
Drinking too much alcohol can negatively impact your mind, your body, and your life.
Binge drinking is a harmful risk behavior associated with serious injuries and multiple diseases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- Binge drinking puts you at risk of short- and long-term health problems. These problems include hangovers, injuries, overdoses, alcohol use disorder, heart and liver disease, and cancer.
- Almost 40% of all deaths related to alcohol use are due to binge drinking.
- Being alcohol impaired can lead to significant lapses in judgment and decreased impulse control and coordination—all of which increase the likelihood of getting hurt.
- Binge drinking can also lead to poor decision-making and regret. It can result in a range of physical and social consequences including violence, sexually transmitted infections or HIV, and sexual risk behaviors.
How common is binge drinking?
- One in six US adults binge drinks, with 25% doing so at least weekly.
- Binge drinking is just one pattern of excessive drinking, but it accounts for nearly all excessive drinking. Over 90% of US adults who drink excessively report binge drinking.
Who binge drinks?
- Binge drinking is most common among younger adults aged 18–34.
- Binge drinking is nearly twice as common among men than among women.
- Binge drinking is most common among adults who have higher household incomes ($75,000 or more), are non-Hispanic White, or live in the Midwest.
- For some groups and states, binge drinking is not as common, but those who binge drink do so frequently or consume large quantities of alcohol.
Any time you drink, you can choose to drink less. Choosing to drink less alcohol can help you be your best.
Being your best could mean enjoying your golden years in good health, feeling refreshed and rested each morning, or having more money in the bank.
Adults of legal drinking age can choose not to drink or to drink in moderation by limiting intake to 2 drinks or less in a day for men and 1 drink or less in a day for women. Not drinking at all may be the best option for some people, including people who are pregnant or might be pregnant, those taking certain drugs or medications, or people who are recovering from an alcohol use disorder or cannot control their alcohol intake.
Drink Less. Be Your Best. For Your Health, Your Future & For Those Around You.
This was prepared by Cornerstone and the 8th Judicial Circuit Alcohol Enforcement Team through a grant from the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SABG) Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplement Appropriations Act of 2021 of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration),CFDA Number 93.959 FAIN – B08TI083544
