Revealed: The States Most Prone to Binge Drinking, and the Astonishing Expense of Overconsumption

• A new analysis reveals the states most prone to binge drinking – and its bad news for North Dakota
• The study analyses CDC and MHA data to rank the states who are most likely to binge drink
• Montana and Iowa are big drinkers, whereas Utah residents are more likely to choose soda over spirits
• Average binge drinkers spend over $4,000 on alcohol yearly – expert offers tips for cutting back on costly consumption

New analysis of health data reveals that North Dakota is the most likely to drink alcohol excessively, as the most and least boozy states are revealed.

The study by leading addiction treatment facility Origins Recovery reviews CDC and Mental Health America data to rank the states at risk of binge drinking, based on admitted habits – and therefore need extra support this summer.

‘Binge’ drinking refers to consuming four or more drinks (for women) or five or more drinks (men) on one occasion in the past 30 days, and ‘heavy’ drinking describes eight or more drinks (for women) or 15 or more drinks (for men) per week.

Drinking alcohol, even moderately, can have immediate effects on your brain and behaviour. It directly impacts your central nervous system, leading to impaired judgment, and can cause blackouts or alcohol poisoning in extreme cases.

Aside from the health implications of heavy drinking, it also packs an expensive punch. The study took the average cost of one pint of a domestic beer in a bar from each state’s largest city. This was multiplied by 15, which is the number of weekly drinks defined as ‘heavy drinking’, and then extrapolated over a year.

Across the top ten states with the highest rate of binge drinking, this cost equates to a massive $4,414 spent on alcohol at bars each year – or $84.94 each week. The real figure could be even higher, as it doesn’t account for at-home consumption.

Residents in North Dakota need to be particularly cautious, as data reveals the region has the highest percentage of people who binge or heavy drink, as 23.9% of the population reported excessive drinking – nearly a quarter of the population.

This means one in five of the state’s drinkers are putting their health at risk when consuming alcohol. Heavy drinkers in North Dakota also spend upwards of $4,215 per year on alcohol, with a bar pint costing $5.45 – equating to a whopping $81.75 a week (based on 15 drinks).

Montana takes second place, with almost a quarter (23.4%) of its population admitting to overconsuming alcohol weekly, and nearly one-fifth of residents (19.2%) accepting that they have a substance abuse problem. Alcohol costs these drinkers $4,680 per year, or a huge $90 a week.

In third, 22.6% of Iowa residents report binge or heavy drinking, spending $3,705 on alcohol each year. Wisconsin is the fourth most overconsumption- prone state, with 21.6% of its population drinking excessively and spending $4,095 per year on booze.

Wisconsin is followed closely by Minnesota with 21.2% of the state’s population admitting to spending a staggering $5,460 per year on heavy drinking. This equates to $105 a week.

One in 5 (20.7%) Colorado citizens overconsume alcohol regularly, dropping a huge $5,850 per year on alcohol, ranking the state in sixth. Of all of the top over-consuming states, Colorado spends the most on booze each year.

In seventh and eighth, Vermont and Nebraska each report that 20.5% of their respective populations drink beyond the recommended amount. Vermont drinkers spend considerably more on alcohol, splashing $5,070 per year, compared to Nebraska’s $3,315.

In ninth, 20.3% of South Dakota residents overconsume alcohol weekly, while 18.6% of the population report a substance abuse disorder. Alcohol alone costs South Dakotan heavy drinkers $3,315 per year. Meanwhile, Missouri rounds out the top ten, reporting one-fifth of residents (20.2%) as heavy drinkers who spend $4,680 on alcohol yearly.

The ten states with the highest percentage of binge-drinking residents

Despite not ranking in the top ten, Oregon (20.1%) and Wyoming (20%) report that at least one in five residents routinely binging alcohol. Oregon drinkers spend $5,460 on alcohol every year, and heavy drinkers in Wyoming spend $3,120, a much lower figure due to the lower average price of alcohol.

On the other end of the scale, Utah residents are the most likely to swap their spirits for a soft drink, as only 13.6% of the population reported binge or heavy drinking – significantly lower than the 18.4% average (26% less).

Similarly, only 12.6% of Utah residents reported a substance use problem – suggesting the state has the healthiest relationship with alcohol in the US.

Kentucky is the state with the second-lowest rate of heavy drinking, with 13.8% of its residents drinking in excess, and Alabama is close behind with 14.1% of residents reporting binging weekly.

Oklahoma and West Virginia round out the bottom five states, with 14.4% and 14.5% of residents admitting to heavy drinking. However, in Oklahoma, 16.1% of the population report a substance abuse disorder, suggesting further support is required.

The ten states with the lowest percentage of binge-drinking residents

Speaking on the findings, a spokesperson from Origins Recovery said: “The summer can be a particularly challenging time for anyone struggling with their relationship with alcohol. Weddings and festivals can be difficult events to navigate if you’re steering away from alcohol, but there are some great ways to avoid unnecessary overconsumption, and blowing your summer budget.

“Alcohol-free beers, ciders and spirits are commonplace behind most bars, and make great alternatives for attendees practicing sobriety. Mocktails are also good fun if you’re looking for a treat and they’re usually budget friendly. Having a sobriety partner is also helpful as it can stop you feeling isolated when attending an event.

“Driving with a friend to a function is also a good idea, as it encourages you both to avoid the liquor to make it home. You should never be made to feel uncomfortable for not drinking, but if you’re worried about being questioned, opt for a soda or cranberry juice, as it’s visually impossible to tell if there’s a spirit in your drink.

“If you’re going to drink alcohol, try to have a small glass of water between each alcoholic beverage to reduce the amount of alcohol you consume. Ensure you’re eating enough before and afterwards, buy your own drinks to keep track of them, and set yourself a strict unit and financial limit before you go out. If you notice a dependency on alcohol, it might be time to rethink your drinking habits, and seek help.”

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