Skip directly to searchSkip directly to the site navigationSkip directly to the page's main content

Complete Health Indicator Report of Alcohol Consumption - Heavy Drinking

Definition

'''Heavy drinking''' is defined as consuming 8 or more alcoholic beverages per week for women or 15 or more alcoholic beverages per week for men. It is listed as the percentage of adults aged 18 years and older who reported heavy 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 heavy 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

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). Errors were minimized by the use of strict calling protocols, good questionnaire design, standardization of interviewer behavior, interviewer training, and frequent, on-site interviewer monitoring and supervision. The CDC defines heavy drinking as 8 or more alcoholic beverages per week for women or 15 or more alcoholic beverages per week for men. However, because this is a calculated variable and there is the need to incorporate a continuous range of responses, the definition used in the calculation is, "more than 14 drinks for men" and "more than 7 drinks for women".

Why Is This Important?

'''Heavy drinking''' is a type of excessive alcohol use. It exceeds the Dietary Guidelines for Americans definition of moderate drinking which is up to 1 drink per day for women and up to 2 drinks per day for men. Most heavy drinkers are also binge drinkers. According to the latest estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, excessive alcohol use is responsible for '''140,557 deaths in the United States''' each year, including 1 in 10 deaths among working-age adults aged 20-64 years.^1^ Estimates also suggest that '''903 Utahns''' die from alcohol-attributable causes each year and Utah is ranked seventh in the nation for alcohol poisoning deaths.^2^ 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.^3^ In 2014, the cost of excessive alcohol use in Utah was estimated to be $1.2 billion.^4^[[br]] [[br]] ---- #Preventing Chronic Disease, 2014, Contribution of excessive alcohol consumption to deaths and years of potential life lost in the United States #Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Alcohol-Related Disease Impact (ARDI) application, 2021. Available at [http://www.cdc.gov/ARDI] #American Journal of Preventative Medicine, 2010, National and State Costs of Excessive Alcohol Consumption #Utah Department of Public Safety, Alcohol Abuse Tracking Committee, 2016 Report

Other Objectives

Healthy People Objective SA-15, Reduce the proportion of adults who drank excessively in the previous 30 days, includes adults who reported heavy drinking and/or binge drinking.

How Are We Doing?

Using data from both landline and cell phones in 2022, it was estimated that '''5.0%''' (crude rate) of Utah adults reported heavy drinking in the 30 days before the survey.

How Do We Compare With the U.S.?

Estimates for 2022 show that '''6.9%''' of U.S. adults reported heavy drinking in the past 30 days whereas '''5.0%''' of Utah adults reported heavy drinking (crude rates).

What Is Being Done?

The [https://sumh.utah.gov/ Utah Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health] 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 [https://www.thecommunityguide.org/topics/excessive-alcohol-consumption.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.''

Available Services

^ ^ ====Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention==== Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention (A-SBI) is a preventive service like hypertension or cholesterol screening that can occur as part of a patient's wellness visit. It identifies and helps individuals who are drinking too much. A-SBI is recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), the Community Preventive Services Task Force (Community Guide), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and the World Health Organization (WHO). For more information on A-SBI, please visit the CDC vital signs [http://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/alcohol-screening-counseling/index.html website].[[br]] [[br]] ====Substance Abuse Helplines==== '''National''': The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has a toll-free referral helpline. The number is: 1-800-662-HELP (4357). '''Utah''': Dial 2-1-1 for state and community service information. Code 2-1-1 can now be accessed from anywhere in the state of Utah. 211 Info Bank, a program of Community Services Council, is a free information and referral line for health, human and community services. 211 provides information and referral on many topics.

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]] [[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 at [https://www.rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov/tools/Calculators/drink-size-calculator.aspx].


Related Indicators

Relevant Population Characteristics

Similar rates of heavy drinking are seen across gender and age groups, with only the 65+ age group seeing significantly lower rates.

Related Relevant Population Characteristics Indicators:


Health Care System Factors

Excessive alcohol use is strongly associated with unintentional injury. In Utah in 2019, at least 398 emergency department (ED) visits were due to alcohol poisoning and 786 non-fatal motor vehicle crashes were related to alcohol.

Related Health Care System Factors Indicators:


Risk Factors

People experiencing poor mental health are more likely to drink excessively.

Related Risk Factors Indicators:


Health Status Outcomes

Excessive alcohol use is associated with many health and social harms, including liver cirrhosis, certain cancers, unintentional injuries, violence, and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

Related Health Status Outcomes Indicators:




Graphical Data Views

Heavy Drinking in the Past 30 Days, Utah and U.S., 2011-2022

::chart - missing::
confidence limits

BRFSS Utah vs. U.S.YearCrude Percentage of AdultsLower LimitUpper Limit
Record Count: 24
UT New Methodology20114.1%3.6%4.7%
UT New Methodology20123.5%3.1%4.0%
UT New Methodology20134.5%4.1%5.1%
UT New Methodology20143.3%3.0%3.7%
UT New Methodology20153.6%3.2%4.1%
UT New Methodology20164.8%4.2%5.4%
UT New Methodology20173.7%3.2%4.2%
UT New Methodology20183.8%3.3%4.3%
UT New Methodology20194.2%3.8%4.8%
UT New Methodology20204.4%3.9%5.0%
UT New Methodology20214.0%3.9%4.2%
UT New Methodology20225.0%4.4%5.7%
US New Methodology20116.6%
US New Methodology20125.9%
US New Methodology20136.0%
US New Methodology20145.8%
US New Methodology20155.8%
US New Methodology20166.4%
US New Methodology20176.2%
US New Methodology20186.5%
US New Methodology20196.4%
US New Methodology20206.7%
US New Methodology20216.2%
US New Methodology20226.9%

Data Notes

The calculated variable for heavy drinking uses the definition "more than 14 drinks for men" and "more than 7 drinks for women". See Data Interpretation Issues for further information.   [[br]] These rates are crude rates, not age-adjusted, given that the Healthy People 2020 Objective is based on crude rates.

Data Sources

  • Utah Department of Health and Human Services Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) [https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/query/selection/brfss/BRFSSSelection.html]
  • Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey Data, US Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).


Heavy Drinking in the Past 30 Days by Age and Sex, Utah, 2022

::chart - missing::
confidence limits

Males vs. FemalesAge groupCrude Percentage of AdultsLower LimitUpper Limit
Record Count: 8
Male18-346.1%4.7%7.9%
Male35-497.2%5.2%9.7%
Male50-644.9%3.3%7.1%
Male65+1.8%1.1%3.0%
Female18-344.8%3.3%6.9%
Female35-496.9%5.1%9.2%
Female50-644.1%2.7%5.9%
Female65+2.0%1.2%3.2%

Data Notes

The calculated variable for heavy drinking uses the definition "more than 14 drinks for men" and "more than 7 drinks for women". See Data Interpretation Issues for further information.

Data Source

Utah Department of Health and Human Services Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) [https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/query/selection/brfss/BRFSSSelection.html]


Heavy Drinking in the Past 30 Days by Local Health District, Utah, 2020-2022

::chart - missing::
confidence limits

Local health districtCrude Percentage of AdultsLower LimitUpper Limit
Record Count: 14
Bear River3.1%2.3%4.1%
Central4.2%3.0%6.0%
Davis County3.3%2.5%4.3%
Salt Lake County5.7%5.1%6.3%
San Juan3.0%1.7%5.2%
Southeast6.2%4.1%9.3%
Southwest3.7%2.8%4.8%
Summit7.7%5.5%10.6%
Tooele5.3%3.7%7.6%
TriCounty5.5%4.2%7.3%
Utah County2.6%2.0%3.3%
Wasatch5.2%3.0%8.9%
Weber-Morgan5.6%4.5%7.1%
State of Utah4.5%4.2%4.8%

Data Notes

The calculated variable for heavy drinking uses the definition "more than 14 drinks for men" and "more than 7 drinks for women". See Data Interpretation Issues for further information.   [[br]]These rates are crude rates, not age-adjusted, given that the Healthy People 2020 Objective is based on crude rates.

Data Source

Utah Department of Health and Human Services Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) [https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/query/selection/brfss/BRFSSSelection.html]


Heavy Drinking in the Past 30 Days by Utah Small Area, 2018-2022

::chart - missing::
confidence limits

Use caution when interpreting as many rates are not reliable.
Utah Small AreasCrude Percentage of AdultsLower LimitUpper LimitNote
Record Count: 100
Brigham City3.1%1.6%6.0%*
Box Elder Co (Other) V24.4%2.1%8.8%*
Tremonton****
Logan V23.0%2.0%4.5%
North Logan****
Cache (Other)/Rich (All) V21.7%0.7%3.8%*
Hyrum8.3%3.8%17.2%*
Smithfield3.1%1.4%6.6%*
Ben Lomond5.0%3.3%7.5%
Weber County (East)3.8%2.1%6.6%
Morgan County4.5%1.9%10.7%*
Ogden (Downtown)6.2%4.2%9.0%
South Ogden7.0%4.6%10.6%
Roy/Hooper2.8%1.6%4.8%
Riverdale3.1%1.4%6.7%*
Clearfield Area/Hooper5.2%3.6%7.5%
Layton/South Weber4.0%2.6%5.9%
Kaysville/Fruit Heights3.2%2.0%5.3%
Syracuse2.8%1.3%6.2%*
Centerville****
Farmington****
North Salt Lake2.2%1.0%5.1%*
Woods Cross/West Bountiful****
Bountiful2.8%1.6%4.8%
SLC (Rose Park)2.6%1.5%4.7%*
SLC (Avenues)12.9%8.9%18.4%
SLC (Foothill/East Bench)5.9%3.2%10.7%*
Magna5.0%2.8%8.7%
SLC (Glendale) V27.3%4.2%12.3%
West Valley (Center)4.8%3.1%7.3%
West Valley (West) V25.7%3.2%10.0%
West Valley (East) V26.9%4.4%10.6%
SLC (Downtown) V29.5%6.8%13.3%
SLC (Southeast Liberty)8.2%5.3%12.5%
South Salt Lake10.6%7.0%15.8%
SLC (Sugar House)6.9%4.5%10.3%
Millcreek (South)7.9%4.2%14.5%*
Millcreek (East)6.3%3.9%10.2%
Holladay V26.1%2.7%13.3%*
Cottonwood5.1%3.5%7.4%
Kearns V26.5%4.2%9.9%
Taylorsville (E)/Murray (W)5.1%3.3%7.8%
Taylorsville (West)5.7%3.7%8.7%
Murray6.7%4.5%9.9%
Midvale6.7%4.5%10.0%
West Jordan (Northeast) V24.3%2.4%7.5%
West Jordan (Southeast)4.4%2.5%7.7%
West Jordan (W)/Copperton5.2%3.2%8.3%
South Jordan V25.4%2.9%9.9%*
Daybreak3.1%1.6%5.8%*
Sandy (West)6.2%3.6%10.5%
Sandy (Center) V22.8%1.3%6.0%*
Sandy (Northeast)3.0%1.5%5.9%*
Sandy (Southeast)6.3%3.9%9.9%
Draper2.3%1.1%4.8%*
Riverton/Bluffdale4.0%2.5%6.4%
Herriman3.8%2.4%5.9%
Tooele County (Other)5.4%3.2%8.9%
Tooele Valley4.8%3.5%6.7%
Eagle Mountain/Cedar Valley2.0%1.1%3.7%*
Lehi2.8%1.7%4.7%
Saratoga Springs2.2%1.0%4.9%*
American Fork2.5%1.1%5.3%*
Alpine****
Pleasant Grove/Lindon2.5%1.4%4.5%
Orem (North)3.3%1.9%5.7%
Orem (West)2.4%1.1%5.2%*
Orem (East)****
Provo/BYU****
Provo (West City Center)****
Provo (East City Center)****
Salem City****
Spanish Fork2.7%1.5%5.0%*
Springville3.3%1.6%6.6%*
Mapleton****
Utah County (South) V23.5%1.6%7.5%*
Payson1.9%0.8%4.4%*
Park City9.7%7.2%13.0%
Summit County (East)5.3%3.3%8.4%
Wasatch County4.5%2.9%6.7%
Daggett and Uintah County4.6%3.4%6.3%
Duchesne County5.9%3.8%9.2%
Nephi/Mona****
Delta/Fillmore3.0%1.3%6.6%*
Sanpete Valley2.6%1.4%5.0%*
Central (Other)3.6%2.2%5.8%
Richfield/Monroe/Salina4.6%2.5%8.2%*
Carbon County4.6%3.1%6.7%
Emery County5.0%3.0%8.4%
Grand County8.5%3.8%18.3%*
Blanding/Monticello1.2%0.5%2.7%*
San Juan County (Other)3.7%2.0%6.8%*
St. George4.8%3.6%6.6%
Washington Co (Other) V22.1%0.8%5.3%*
Washington City3.2%1.5%6.6%*
Hurricane/La Verkin2.4%1.1%4.9%*
Ivins/Santa Clara3.6%1.7%7.6%*
Cedar City3.5%2.2%5.3%
Southwest LHD (Other)2.9%1.6%5.2%
State of Utah4.3%4.1%4.5%

Data Notes

The calculated variable for heavy drinking uses the definition "more than 14 drinks for men" and "more than 7 drinks for women". See Data Interpretation Issues for further information.   [[br]][[br]]Notes regarding Utah Small Area data: *These rates are crude rates, not age-adjusted, given that the Healthy People 2030 Objective is based on crude rates. *Use caution when interpreting estimates marked with an asterisk (*) in the data table. They have a coefficient of variation >30% and are therefore deemed unreliable by Utah Department of Health and Human Services standards. *Estimates marked with the symbol ** have been suppressed because the relative standard error is greater than 50%. *A description of the Utah Small Areas may be found on the [https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/resource/Guidelines.html Methodology and Guidelines page].

Data Source

Utah Department of Health and Human Services Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) [https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/query/selection/brfss/BRFSSSelection.html]


Heavy Drinking in the Past 30 Days by Race, Utah, 2020-2022

::chart - missing::
confidence limits

RaceCrude Percentage of AdultsLower LimitUpper LimitNote
Record Count: 6
American Indian/Alaska Native6.9%4.4%10.6%
Asian3.5%1.7%7.0%*
Black, African American4.5%2.3%8.5%*
Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander8.0%4.3%14.7%*
White4.4%4.1%4.8%
All races4.5%4.2%4.8%

Data Notes

The calculated variable for heavy drinking uses the definition "more than 14 drinks for men" and "more than 7 drinks for women". See Data Interpretation Issues for further information.   [[br]] These rates are crude rates, not age-adjusted, given that the Healthy People 2020 Objective is based on crude rates. Use caution when interpreting estimates marked with an asterisk (*) in the data table. They have a coefficient of variation >30% and are therefore deemed unreliable by Utah Department of Health and Human Services standards.

Data Source

Utah Department of Health and Human Services Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) [https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/query/selection/brfss/BRFSSSelection.html]


Heavy Drinking in the Past 30 Days by Ethnicity, Utah, 2019-2022

::chart - missing::
confidence limits

Hispanic ethnicityCrude Percentage of AdultsLower LimitUpper Limit
Record Count: 2
Hispanic/Latino5.6%4.1%7.7%
Non-Hispanic/Latino4.9%4.3%5.7%

Data Notes

The calculated variable for heavy drinking uses the definition "more than 14 drinks for men" and "more than 7 drinks for women". See Data Interpretation Issues for further information.   [[br]]These rates are crude rates, not age-adjusted, given that the Healthy People 2020 Objective is based on crude rates.

Data Source

Utah Department of Health and Human Services Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) [https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/query/selection/brfss/BRFSSSelection.html]

References and Community Resources

'''National:''' [[br]] *The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSA) Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator: [http://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/] *[http://www.niaaa.nih.gov National Institutes of Health: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism] *[http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Alcohol and Public Health] - This site includes fact sheets, online tool kits, data and recently published literature. *More information on the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System may be found on the website of the [http://www.cdc.gov/brfss/ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention][[br]] [[br]] '''Utah:'''[[br]] Utah Department of Health and Human Services[[br]] Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health[[br]] 288 North 1460 West[[br]] Salt Lake City, Utah 84116[[br]] Phone: (801) 538-3939[[br]] Email: sumh@utah.gov[[br]] [https://sumh.utah.gov/]

More Resources and Links

Evidence-based community health improvement ideas and interventions may be found at the following sites:

Additional indicator data by state and county may be found on these Websites:

Medical literature can be queried at the PubMed website.

Page Content Updated On 03/26/2024, Published on 03/26/2024
The information provided above is from the Utah Department of Health's Center for Health Data IBIS-PH web site (http://epht.health.utah.gov). The information published on this website may be reproduced without permission. Please use the following citation: " Retrieved Mon, 25 November 2024 9:44:55 from Utah Department of Health, Center for Health Data, Indicator-Based Information System for Public Health Web site: http://epht.health.utah.gov ".

Content updated: Mon, 21 Oct 2024 13:01:49 MDT