New Study Shows 1 in 6 U.S. Adults Binge Drink

Binge drinking is a preventable risk factor for many diseases and injuries; however, a new study found that in 2018, 1 in 6 U.S. adults binge drank, increasing their risk for many preventable diseases and injuries. Many do so frequently and consume a large number of drinks each time. Among adults who binge drank, 25% did so at least weekly, on average, and 25% consumed at least eight drinks during a binge occasion. Binge drinking is defined as five or more drinks on an occasion for men or four or more drinks for women and the study reveals the frequency of binge drinking and the number of drinks consumed affects the risk of adverse outcomes. Regulating alcohol sales and increasing alcohol taxes are effective community prevention strategies to reduce binge drinking.