Binge Drinking ‘A Bigger Problem Than Previously Thought,’ CDC Says

American drinkers often go too far when they indulge, a new survey of self-professed drinkers finds.

“More than 38 million U.S. adults binge drink about four times a month, and on average the largest number of drinks consumed is eight,” the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta said this week.

The “average largest amount” of excessive drinking the CDC cites is far more than even “binge drinking,” which the CDC defines as having four to five drinks at a time.

The study found that one in 4 adults aged 18 to 34 said they had binged on alcohol at least once in the previous month, and one in 6 of all people 18 and older said they had taken part in binge drinking within 30 days of the survey.

And while more drinkers aged 18 to 34 admit binging, drinkers aged 65 and older who binge say they engage in binge drinking more often—an average of five to six times a month.

The CDC report is based on telephone surveys last year of more than 450,000 adults.

Drinking too much, including binge drinking, causes more than 80,000 deaths in the United States each year, the CDC points out, and contributes to more than 54 different injuries and diseases, including car crashes, violence and sexually transmitted diseases.

Most alcohol-impaired drivers binge drink, the CDC study states. Here, too, it’s appropriate to note that this fact is based on DUI, DWI or other impaired-driving arrests; it doesn’t count those who have managed to get away with drinking and driving.

The Associated Press, in its report about the CDC study, says the binge-drinking numbers are “probably an underestimate.”

“Alcohol sales figures suggest people are buying a lot more alcohol than they say they are consuming,” the AP reports.

Unfortunately, law enforcement can’t take all of the adults who drink and drive off of the road before they cause damages, injuries and death.

The CDC reported last October that in 2009, 10,839 people were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes, accounting for 32 percent of all traffic-related deaths in the United States. In Georgia, of 1,493 highway fatalities in 2008, 416, or 28 percent, were caused by alcohol impairment, according to the Governor’s Office on Highway Safety.

Many others who are injured in alcohol-related crashes face long and expensive recovery periods, and for those killed, there are spouses, children, parents and other loved ones left behind.

Those who face pain and expenses because of an alcohol-related automobile crash in the Atlanta area or anywhere in Georgia should contact an experienced Atlanta personal injury lawyer for assistance as soon as possible.

Millar & Mixon LLC, an Atlanta personal injury law firm, represents victims of automotive accidents caused by alcohol impairment. Since 1993, we have represented numerous Georgians injured in alcohol-related car accidents, and the families of those killed by drunk drivers.

Drunk driving accidents often require analysis of important technical details by legal professionals and accident reconstruction experts. Our Atlanta, Georgia, personal injury attorneys are experienced with investigating the facts of drunk driving incidents, and have longstanding relationships with experts who are qualified to provedriver negligence and recklessness in drunk driving cases.

For a free case evaluation, please call 770-477-6360. Our attorneys will meet with you at your convenience! Email them today info@millarandmixon.com

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