Health

More San Diegans Indulge in Binge Drinking

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If you down four or more alcoholic drinks in one sitting more than four times per month, you are not alone.

A recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that binge drinking is more pervasive than previously thought.

The study revealed that one in six American adults binge drink about four times a month. In San Diego County, 16 percent of adults admitted to binge drinking.

Binge drinking is defined as consuming five or more drinks for men and four or more drinks for women in one session. The study showed that binge drinkers are consuming an average of eight drinks in one sitting.

“Binge drinking is a serious problem that can contribute to injury and disease,” said Susan Bower, Director of Alcohol and Drug Services for the County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA). “Binge drinking can lead to motor vehicle crashes, violence, alcohol dependence, and suicide.”

It appears that wealthier adults are more likely to binge drink, but lower income people who binge drink do it more often. The study showed a higher percentage (20.2 percent) of adults who earn more than $75,000 binge drink, compared to 16.2 percent of adults who earned less than $25,000. However, those with a lower income were likely to binge drink five or more times per month, compared to 3.7 times for the higher earners.

More binge drinkers are between 18 and 34 years of age. However, those 65 years and older binge drink more frequently.

An estimated 80,000 deaths in the U.S. each year are the result of drinking too much, including binge drinking.

The County offers residential and non-residential treatment programs to help people kick their alcohol or drug addiction. More than 10,000 adults enter County-funded treatment programs each year. Of those, 26 percent suffer from an alcohol addiction.

Furthermore, more than 12,000 San Diegans enter programs every year for driving under the influence.

Help is available by calling the County’s Access and Crisis Line at (800) 479-3339.

 

José A. Álvarez is a communications specialist with the County of San Diego Communications Office. Contact