Binge drinking is typically defined as the consumption of 5 or more drinks in a single session of drinking, or sometimes less for women since females become intoxicated at lower levels of alcohol consumption.

In other words, binge drinking is abusing alcohol to get drunk, often times +really+ drunk. Below are some facts and statistics related to binge drinking.

Facts about binge drinking

1. Most drunk driving is related to binge drinking, according to a CDC report. (Lloyd, 1-11-2012)

2. College students living on campus are more likely to binge drink than those living off-campus. (Hanson et al., 2004, p. 226)

3. Binge drinking is twice as common among white college students than it is among minorities, and is also more common among fraternity or sorority members (4-times more likely) and slightly more common among athletes (1 1/2 times more likely). (Wechsler et al., 2000)

Binge drinking statistics

1. One survey found that 1 in 6 adults in the U.S. is a binge drinker, consuming an average of 8 drinks per session and doing so an average of 4-times a month. (Lloyd, 1-11-2012) “As dramatic as these findings are,” says study author Robert Brewer, “They’re probably a good bit higher,” because people tend to under-report such behavior.

2. other surveys have found that one-fifth (20.5%) of people 12 and older have engaged in binge drinking in the past month. (Hanson et al., 2004, p.203)

3. Binge drinking is twice as common among men (23%) as women (11.4%). The highest prevalence for binge drinking is seen among those 18- to 34-yearsold, yet the highest +frequency+ of binging is seen in the 65 and older age group. Both high-earners ($75,000+) and low-earners (under $15,000) are more likely to binge drink than those in the middle. (Lloyd, 1-11-2012)

4. A joint study by Duke University and the National Survey on Drug Use & Health found that 22% of men and 9% of women ages 50 to 64 engaged in binge drinking within the past month. (Thompson, 8-17-2009) Among those over 65, 14% of men and 3% of women binge drink.

5. Nearly 60% of Marines admit to engaging in binge drinking, a much higher rate than the overall population of 18- to 35-year-olds. (Zoroya, 12-17-2009)