19 Feb The Real Effects of Binge Drinking
In a terrifying new statistic, the Centers for Disease Control reports that every day, six people die from binge drinking. However, it’s the age group that binge drinking is hitting the hardest that might surprise you. When people hear the term “binge drinking,” they immediately think of high school and college kids saving drinking for the weekend then going too far out with their consumption. That’s simply not the case.
Let’s take a look at some of the binge drinking statistics that are affecting a different age group that anyone would originally assume.
Some Binge Drinking Statistics (According to the CDC)
- 77 percent of men between the ages of 35 and 65 admit to binge drinking.
- 1 in 6 adults binge drink four times a month. Those binges consist of up to eight drinks.
- Those ages 65 and older admit to binge drinking up to six times per month.
- 70 percent of binge drinking episodes occur in those ages 26 and older.
- Binge drinking is twice more prevalent among men than women.
While there are dozens more statistics to list regarding binge drinking, one thing is apparent. It’s a problem. 90 percent of the alcohol consumed in the United States is to accommodate binge drinking which costs roughly $223.5 billion annually in terms of:
- Productivity Loss
- Health Care
- Crime
Intervening with Binge Drinking
Just because someone doesn’t drink every day doesn’t mean they aren’t battling addiction. Any type of drinking that allows you to fall into a dangerous pattern is a form of alcoholism. Those who engage in binge drinking are not only likely to injure themselves and others, but alcohol poisoning is also a huge risk, as well as neurological damage and liver disease. The government has taken some measures to control alcohol consumption, but a lot of that control lies within ones will power.
If you or someone you know is battling binge drinking, it might be time to confront them. If they need help and are willing, there is help out there – an entire community actually. At Florida Recovery Group, we’re just one of the hundreds of support systems out there that can help those battle addiction habits, whether it’s drugs or alcohol. Everyone deserves to live a happy and healthy life, and we can help get them back on that right path.
