Kentucky ranks third in the country for binge drinkers

A recent study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine. It cites Kentucky as having the third highest binge-drinking rate in the country. It’s estimated that the average binge drinker annually consumes 652 drinks per person.

The only states with a higher rate are Arkansas, at 841, and Mississippi, at 831. Hawaii ranks fourth at 611. The national average is 467. Washington, D.C. has the lowest binge-drinking rate of 316.

The author of the study notes that the CDC defines binge drinking by gender. As an example of what’s considered excessive, any man who consumes in excess of four drinks during a two hour window is considered to be a binge drinker. For women, they’re classified as binge drinkers if they consume three or more within the same time-frame.

The lead researcher on the study says that the number of binge drinkers residing in Kentucky is alarming. He notes that what makes it so concerning is how these drinkers put both themselves and others at risk of harm.

One CDC statistic shows that as many as 44,000 of the 88,000 alcohol-related deaths that occur in the U.S. each year can be attributed to binge drinking. This is particularly distressing since heavy drinking can greatly impair a motorist’s ability to operate a vehicle, lead them to become violent or engage is risky sexual practices, Heavy drinkers also are at greater risk for developing heart disease and cancer.

In analyzing the data, researchers also found that the number of women engaging in binge drinking was half the rate of their male counterparts. Also, they discovered that men drink at least 80 percent of their alcoholic beverages when engaged in an act of binge drinking. Those from lower socioeconomic classes and those between the ages of 18 and 34 were the ones that appeared to be most likely to binge drink.

If you have a dependency on alcohol, it’s important that you seek treatment for your condition. If you’ve been arrested for an alcohol-related criminal offense, it’s important to understand how an arrest and conviction can impact your livelihood. In learning more about the circumstances surrounding your arrest, a Bowling Green drunk driving attorney can advise you of your rights in your case.

Source: Lexington Herald-Leader, “652 drinks a year. Kentucky binge drinking rate among highest in nation, study says,” Bill Estep, March 18, 2018