CDC: 38 Million Americans Binge Drink

Binge drinking is a problem across the United States, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said in a report Tuesday, Jan. 10.

At least 38 million, or around one in six, American adults binge drink—consuming an average of four or five drinks in a short period of time—four times per month, according to the report. The largest number of drinks consumed is eight on average.

The report notes that not just young, college-aged adults partake in binge drinking, but that seniors aged 65 and older binge drink more often, five to six times per month, more than the national average. The highest prevalence for binge drinking is among adults between the ages of 18 and 34.

More than 80,000 deaths are caused by excess drinking and binge drinking each year, the CDC said. In 2006, excess and binge drinking cost the United States $223.5 billion in health costs, crime, “losses in productivity,” and various other expenses, it said.