Binge Drinking

Common Questions About Binge Drinking ?

What is excessive alcohol use?

U.S. standard drink sizes:

  • 12 ounces of 5% ABV beer
  • 8 ounces of 7% ABV malt liquor
  • 5 ounces of 12% ABV wine
  • 1.5 ounces of 40% ABV (80-proof) distilled spirits or liquor (examples: gin, rum, vodka, whiskey)

How does excessive drinking affect us?

  • 88,000 deaths per year
  • Violence, injuries, and motor vehicle crashes
  • Risky sexual behaviors, unintended pregnancies, miscarriage and stillbirth
  • Chronic conditions such as cancer, heart disease and high blood pressure
  • $249 billion economic cost

Binge drinking is the main problem

  • Over 90% of excessive drinkers binge drink
  • 1 in 6 more than 38 million U.S. adults binge drink
  • Binge drinkers do so about 4 times a month
  • Binge drinkers average 8 drinks per binge
  • Most people who binge drink are not alcohol dependent or alcoholics

If you choose to drink, do so in moderation

  • No one should begin drinking or drink more frequently based on potential health benefits
  • Up to 1 drink a day for women
  • Up to 2 drinks a day for men
  • Don’t drink at all if you are under age 21, pregnant or may be pregnant, or have health problems that could be made worse by drinking

For more information: www.cdc.gov/alcohol

LOCAL & NATIONAL RESOURCES

We have gathered a number of resources help you conversations and find resources.

  • SAMHSA National Helpline
  • Rethinking Drinking
  • CDC BInge Drinking Facts
  • How to Stop Binge Drinking
  • NIAAA – Binge Drinking
  • 7 Sneaky Signs You Drink Too Much
  • Preventing Excessive Alcohol Consumption