Important Facts for Alcohol Consumption - Binge Drinking

Definition

'''''Binge drinking''''' is defined as a pattern of alcohol consumption that brings the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level to 0.08% or above. This typically happens when men consume 5 or more drinks, and when women consume 4 or more drinks, in about 2 hours.^1^ It is listed as the percentage of survey respondents who reported binge drinking during the 30 days prior to the survey. [[img src ="https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/alcohol-screening-counseling/images/problem1_970px.jpg" width = "652" height= "455"]]

Numerator

Number of survey respondents who reported binge drinking during the 30 days prior to the survey.

Denominator

Number of survey respondents excluding those with missing, "Don't know/Not sure", or "Refused" responses.

Data Interpretation Issues

To reduce bias and more accurately represent population data, the BRFSS survey methodology changed. In 2009, the survey began including surveys on cellular phones in addition to landline phones. And a new weighting methodology, known as "iterative proportional fitting" (raking) was implemented. More details about these changes can be found [https://ibis.health.utah.gov/pdf/opha/resource/brfss/RakingImpact2011.pdf here]. As with all surveys, some error results from non-response (e.g., refusal to participate in the survey or to answer specific questions), and measurement (e.g., social desirability or recall bias). Error was minimized by use of strict calling protocols, good questionnaire design, standardization of interviewer behavior, interviewer training, and frequent, on-site interviewer monitoring and supervision.

Why Is This Important?

'''''Binge drinking''''' is the most common pattern of excessive alcohol use in the United States and those who binge drink tend to do so frequently and with high intensity. According to the latest estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, excessive alcohol use is responsible for '''88,000 deaths in the United States''' each year, including 1 in 10 deaths among working-age adults aged 20-64 years.^2^ Estimates also suggest that over 500 Utahns die from alcohol-attributable causes each year^3^ and Utah is ranked seventh in the nation for alcohol poisoning deaths.^4^ Excessive alcohol use is also associated with many health and social harms, including liver cirrhosis, certain cancers, unintentional injuries, violence and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Excessive drinking cost the United States $249 billion in 2010, which calculates to $2.05 per drink.^1^ In 2014, the cost of excessive alcohol use in Utah was estimated to be $1.2 billion.^5^ '''SOURCES''' # Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018). ''Fact Sheets - Binge Drinking''. Retrieved from [https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/binge-drinking.htm CDC] # Alcohol and Public Health: Alcohol-Related Disease Impact. (2017). ''Average for United States 2006-2010 Alcohol-Attributable Deaths Due to Excessive Alcohol Use''. Retrieved from [https://nccd.cdc.gov/DPH_ARDI/Default/Report.aspx?T=AAM&P=f6d7eda7-036e-4553-9968-9b17ffad620e&R=d7a9b303-48e9-4440-bf47-070a4827e1fd&M=8E1C5233-5640-4EE8-9247-1ECA7DA325B9&F=AAMCauseGenderNew&D=H CDC] # Alcohol and Public Health: Alcohol-Related Disease Impact. (2017). ''Average for Utah 2006-2010 Alcohol-Attributable Deaths Due to Excessive Alcohol Use''. Retrieved from [https://nccd.cdc.gov/DPH_ARDI/Default/Report.aspx?T=AAM&P=0368e60a-b807-4e77-afe4-904c41d0517a&R=d7a9b303-48e9-4440-bf47-070a4827e1fd&M=26A5800D-EDB1-4B4F-8AED-464AA290062E&F=AAMCauseGenderNew&D=H CDC] # CDC Vital Signs. (2015). ''Alcohol Poisoning Deaths Infographic''. Retrieved from [https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/alcohol-poisoning-deaths/infographic.html#infographic CDC] # Alcohol Abuse Tracking Committee, Utah Department of Public Safety. (2017). ''Alcohol Abuse Tracking Committee 2017 Report''. Retrieved from [https://dsamh.utah.gov/pdf/2017%20AATC%20Report.pdf Utah Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health: DSAMH]

Healthy People Objective SA-14.3:

Reduce the proportion of persons engaging in binge drinking during the past 30 days--adults aged 18 years and older
U.S. Target: 24.4 percent

How Are We Doing?

Using data from both landline and cell phones in 2017, it was estimated that '''11.5%''' (crude rate) of Utah adults binge drank at least once in the 30 days prior to the survey. Utah is '''well below the Healthy People 2020 objective of 24.4%''' for this measure.

How Do We Compare With the U.S.?

Estimates show that '''17.0% of U.S. adults''' reported binge drinking in the past 30 days in 2017 whereas '''11.5% of Utah adults''' reported binge drinking in 2017 (crude rates). The percentage of adults who reported binge drinking in the past 30 days was substantially lower in Utah than in the U.S. for all years reported between 1989-2017.

What Is Being Done?

The Utah Department of Health [http://health.utah.gov/vipp/ Violence and Injury Prevention Program] receives funding from the [https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/index.htm Alcohol Program at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)] for a full-time alcohol epidemiologist. With this additional capacity at the UDOH, it is now possible to conduct more monitoring and surveillance of excessive alcohol use and related harms. The [https://dsamh.utah.gov/ Utah Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health: DSAMH] is the agency responsible for ensuring that substance abuse and mental health prevention and treatment services are available statewide. The Division also acts as a resource by providing general information, research, and statistics to the public regarding substances of abuse and mental health services.

Evidence-based Practices

The Community Preventive Services Task Force recommends evidence based strategies to reduce excessive alcohol consumption in [http://www.thecommunityguide.org/alcohol/index.html The Community Guide]. These strategies include: # Increasing alcoholic beverage costs # Limiting the number of retail alcohol outlets that sell alcoholic beverages in a given area # Holding alcohol retailers responsible for the harms caused by their underage or intoxicated patrons (dram shop liability) # Restricting access to alcohol by maintaining limits on the days and hours of alcohol retail sales # Consistent enforcement of laws against underage drinking and alcohol-impaired driving # Screening and counseling for alcohol misuse. [[br]] [[br]] ''The Community Preventive Services task force is an independent body of prevention and public health experts.''

Health Program Information

A drink of alcohol is equivalent to a '''12-ounce beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine, or a drink with one shot of liquor'''.[[br]] ====A Standard Drink ==== [[img src="https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/sites/default/files/introduction-standard-drink-sidebar.png"]] Knowing standard drink sizes and the number of drinks per container can help you make informed decisions about your drinking. Find a '''standard drink size calculator tool''' from the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism [https://www.rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov/tools/Calculators/drink-size-calculator.aspx here].