70+ Binge Drinking Statistics, Facts & Demographics

Top 10 Binge Drinking Statistics

• Binge drinking is most common in the 18-34 age group, with 44% of people in this age range admitting to binge drinking in the past month.
• More than 90% of the alcohol consumed by underage drinkers is consumed during a binge-drinking episode.
• Binge drinking is responsible for more than half of the 88,000 alcohol-related deaths that occur in the United States each year.
• In 2019, 14.5 million adults in the United States had an alcohol use disorder, and the majority of them engaged in binge drinking.
• The economic cost of binge drinking in the United States is estimated to be $249 billion per year.
• Approximately 1 in 4 college students report academic consequences from their drinking, including missing class, falling behind in schoolwork, and doing poorly on exams.
• Binge drinkers are 14 times more likely to report alcohol-impaired driving than non-binge drinkers.
• In 2019, 25% of adults in the United States reported binge drinking in the past month.
• Binge drinking is more common among men than women, with 1 in 5 men reporting binge drinking in the past month, compared to 1 in 10 women.
• Binge drinking is associated with a range of health problems, including liver disease, high blood pressure, and an increased risk of cancer.

Most Common Causes of Binge Drinking

• Peer pressure: Many people start binge drinking because they feel pressured by their friends or peers. According to a study, 47% of college students reported that they were more likely to drink heavily when they were with a group of friends.
• Stress and anxiety: Stressful situations can trigger binge drinking episodes. A survey found that 35% of adults who reported high stress levels also reported binge drinking.
• Mental health issues: People with mental health issues such as depression and anxiety may turn to alcohol as a way to cope. A study found that 32% of individuals with depression reported binge drinking in the past month.
• Low self-esteem: People with low self-esteem may turn to alcohol as a way to feel more confident and outgoing. According to a survey, 33% of adults who had low self-esteem also engaged in binge drinking.
• Social events: Parties, concerts, and other social events often involve heavy drinking. A survey found that 70% of young adults who attended a music festival reported binge drinking during the event.

How many binge drinkers are there?

• In 2019, 25% of adults in the United States reported binge drinking in the past month.
• Among high school students, 14.5% reported binge drinking within the past 30 days.
• Approximately 1 in 10 pregnant women report binge drinking during their pregnancy.
• Binge drinking is more common among men than women, with 1 in 5 men reporting binge drinking in the past month, compared to 1 in 10 women.

What Percentage of Binge Drinkers Become Alcoholics?

• According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, about 1 in 6 people who engage in binge drinking become addicted to alcohol.
• Of those who start drinking before the age of 15, approximately 50% will later develop an alcohol use disorder.

Who Binge Drinks?

• Binge drinking is most common in the 18-34 age group, with 44% of people in this age range admitting to binge drinking in the past month.
• Among high school students, 14.5% reported binge drinking within the past 30 days.
• Binge drinking is more common among men than women, with 1 in 5 men reporting binge drinking in the past month, compared to 1 in 10 women.
• Approximately 1 in 10 pregnant women report binge drinking during their pregnancy.
• According to a study, people with an annual household income of less than $25,000 are more likely to engage in binge drinking than those with higher incomes.

Binge Drinking by State

• Wisconsin has the highest percentage of adults who reported binge drinking in the past month, with 25.6%.
• North Dakota and South Dakota follow closely behind, with 24.9% and 22.5% respectively.
• Utah has the lowest percentage of adults who reported binge drinking in the past month, with only 11.8%.
• Other states with low percentages of binge drinking include Tennessee (14.4%), West Virginia (15.2%), and Kentucky (15.6%).
• The national average for binge drinking is 25%.

Binge Drinking and Age

• Binge drinking is most common in the 18-34 age group, with 44% of people in this age range admitting to binge drinking in the past month.
• Young people aged 12 to 20 years drink 11% of all alcohol consumed in the United States, and more than 90% of the alcohol consumed by underage drinkers is consumed during a binge-drinking episode.
• Binge drinking is also a problem among older adults, with 1 in 10 adults over the age of 65 reporting binge drinking in the past month.

Binge Drinking among College Students

• Binge drinking is a significant problem among college students, with 1 in 4 reporting academic consequences from their drinking, including missing class, falling behind in schoolwork, and doing poorly on exams.
• In a survey of college students, 60% reported drinking alcohol in the past month, and 2 out of 3 of those drinkers reported binge drinking during that same time period.
• Approximately 20% of college students meet the criteria for an alcohol use disorder, which often involves binge drinking as a primary behavior.

Binge Drinking by Country

• In Europe, binge drinking is most common in Denmark, with 39% of adults reporting binge drinking in the past month. Other countries with high rates of binge drinking include Finland (27%), Ireland (25%), and the United Kingdom (24%).
• In Australia, 1 in 4 adults reported binge drinking in the past month.
• In Canada, approximately 20% of adults engage in binge drinking.
• In Mexico, 15.5% of adults engage in binge drinking.
• In Brazil, approximately 16% of adults engage in binge drinking.
• In China, only 5% of adults reported binge drinking in the past month.
• In Japan, only 3.6% of adults engage in binge drinking.

Binge Drinking and Gender

• Binge drinking is more common among men than women, with 1 in 5 men reporting binge drinking in the past month, compared to 1 in 10 women.
• Men are also more likely to engage in heavy episodic drinking, with 57% of all episodes of heavy episodic drinking being reported by men.

How many binge drinks are consumed?

• On average, a binge drinker consumes 7 drinks per episode.
• In the United States, there are approximately 17 billion binge drinks consumed each year.
• Binge drinkers account for more than half of the alcohol consumed in the United States.
• The average American adult who reported binge drinking in the past month consumed over 470 total drinks during that time period.
• Binge drinkers aged 12 to 20 years consume an average of 5 drinks per episode.

What percentage of people binge drink worldwide?

• According to the World Health Organization, 16% of the global population aged 15 years or older engages in binge drinking.
• In Europe, approximately 23% of people aged 15 years or older report binge drinking within the past month.
• In South America, the prevalence of binge drinking is lower than in Europe at 12.5%, but it is still a significant public health concern.
• In Asia, the prevalence of binge drinking varies widely by country and region. For example, in China, only about 1% of adults report binge drinking, while in South Korea, nearly half of all adults engage in heavy episodic drinking.
• In Africa, data on binge drinking is limited but studies suggest that it is becoming more prevalent especially among young people.
• Binge drinking is a global issue and its negative consequences affect individuals and societies worldwide.

The Serious Risks of Binge Drinking

• Liver disease: Binge drinking can lead to liver damage and disease. In fact, 47% of deaths from liver disease in the United States are alcohol-related.
• Cancer: Binge drinking increases the risk of developing certain types of cancer, including breast, liver, and colorectal cancer. Studies suggest that up to 20% of all cancer deaths in the United States are related to alcohol use.
• High blood pressure: Binge drinking can cause a sudden increase in blood pressure, which can lead to long-term hypertension if left unchecked. Approximately 75% of adults who drink heavily have high blood pressure.
• Depression and anxiety: Binge drinking is associated with an increased risk of depression and anxiety. In fact, people who binge drink are twice as likely to experience symptoms of depression as non-binge drinkers.
• Sexual assault: Binge drinking increases the risk of sexual assault, both for those who drink and those around them. Approximately 50% of sexual assaults involve alcohol consumption by either the perpetrator or victim.
• Injuries: Binge drinking increases the risk of accidents and injuries, including falls, car crashes, and burns. In fact, up to one-third of all emergency room visits are related to alcohol use.

The Cost of Binge Drinking

• The economic cost of binge drinking in the United States is estimated to be $249 billion per year.
• Approximately 1 in 10 deaths among working-age adults in the United States are attributable to excessive alcohol use, including binge drinking.
• In the United States, more than half of the total cost of excessive alcohol consumption is due to binge drinking.
• Binge drinking results in increased healthcare costs, with an estimated $32 billion spent on medical expenses related to excessive alcohol use each year.
• Excessive alcohol use, including binge drinking, results in lost productivity and increased absenteeism. In fact, it is estimated that excessive alcohol use costs businesses $170 billion per year in lost productivity alone.
• Binge drinking also has a significant impact on the criminal justice system. Approximately 21% of state prisoners and 23% of federal prisoners report that they were under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of their offense.

FAQs

What is considered binge drinking?

Binge drinking is defined as consuming a large amount of alcohol in a short period of time, typically 4 or more drinks for women and 5 or more drinks for men within a two-hour period.

How does binge drinking affect the brain?

Binge drinking can have harmful effects on the brain, including impaired cognitive function and memory loss. Studies also suggest that repeated episodes of binge drinking can lead to long-term changes in the structure and function of the brain.

Can binge drinking lead to addiction?

Yes, binge drinking can lead to addiction. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, about 1 in 6 people who engage in binge drinking become addicted to alcohol.

Is it safe to drink alcohol while pregnant?

No, it is not safe to drink alcohol while pregnant. Binge drinking during pregnancy can increase the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, and fetal alcohol syndrome.

How can I prevent binge drinking?

There are several steps you can take to prevent binge drinking, including setting limits on your alcohol consumption, avoiding peer pressure from friends or colleagues to drink excessively, seeking help for stress or mental health issues that may trigger episodes of heavy drinking, and avoiding social events where heavy alcohol consumption is common.

Conclusion

Binge drinking is a serious problem that affects people of all ages and genders. It is associated with a range of negative health and social consequences, and it can lead to alcoholism and other serious problems.

By understanding the facts about binge drinking, we can work to prevent this harmful behavior and promote healthier lifestyles.

Sources

• https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/binge-drinking.htm
• https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/binge-drinking
• https://dhhr.wv.gov/office-of-drug-control-policy/newsletters/Pages/Basic-Facts-on-Binge-Drinking.aspx
• https://drugabusestatistics.org/alcohol-abuse-statistics/
• https://ibis.health.utah.gov/ibisph-view/indicator/important_facts/
• https://msw.usc.edu/mswusc-blog/binge-drinking-moderation-strategies/