Binge Drinking

Definition
Percent of adults who engaged in binge drinking on at least 1 occasion in the last 30 days:
  • 4 or more drinks for women
  • 5 or more drinks for men
Importance
Excessive drinking is a risk factor for outcomes such as alcohol poisoning, hypertension, acute myocardial infarction, sexually transmitted infections, unintended pregnancy, fetal alcohol syndrome, sudden infant death syndrome, suicide, interpersonal violence, and motor vehicle crashes.

Where We Are
In 2013, 22% of adults in Douglas County engaged in binge drinking. This percent was higher than the State of Kansas and the U.S. in 2013.

Health Disparities
Among adults in Douglas County in 2013:
  • Males were more likely to binge drink.
  • Those in the age category of 18-44 were more likely to binge drink than those aged 45-64.
Healthy People Goal 2020
Less than or equal to 24.3%.

Additional Information
In Douglas County in 2011, approximately 240 cases of preventable emergency department utilization were due to excessive alcohol use. Everyone can help prevent binge drinking. People can:
  • Choose not to binge drink themselves and help others not do it.
  • Drink in moderation if they do drink. Pregnant women and underage youth should not drink alcohol.
  • Support effective community strategies to prevent binge drinking.
  • Support local control of the marketing and sale of alcohol.
  • Support the minimum legal drinking age of 21.

Helpful Downloads

Binge Drinking Trend Analysis
Binge Drinking Disparity Analysis