Data analyzed by

State Health Compare

Percent of adults consuming four (women) or five (men) or more drinks on one occasion during the past 30 days

Measure Overview

Excessive use of alcohol is associated with a wide range of adverse health outcomes, such as chronic diseases, injuries, and early death. Binge drinking is the most common pattern of excessive alcohol use in the United States. In addition to the potential harms of binge drinking at the individual level, binge drinking can cause physical, mental, and emotional harm to unborn children, family members, and other individuals exposed to binge drinking behavior, making it a serious public health issue. Understanding the prevalence of and trends in binge drinking across the U.S. and among different demographic groups can help identify areas for targeted interventions and inform policymakers and the general public on ways to combat excessive alcohol use.

State Health Compare provides annual, state-level rates of adults who reported binge drinking during the past 30 days. Estimates are available beginning in 2005 and are based on findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey. Two breakdowns are available for this measure: educational attainment and race/ethnicity.

Generate customized graphics using this data by selecting one of the options below.

Related Products

Prevalence and disparities in excessive alcohol use among U.S. adults

A 2021 SHADAC brief analyzes high-risk alcohol consumption behaviors that can lead to death and other alcohol-involved diseases. The findings presented in this brief show significant differences among demographic subgroups in the prevalence of binge drinking and heavy drinking.



BRFSS Spotlight Series: Adult Binge Drinking Rates in the United States

This three-part series from SHADAC focuses on data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The series focuses on several health measures–smoking and e-cigarette use, binge drinking, and obesity–for adults aged 18 and older and includes breakdowns by race/ethnicity and educational attainment.