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, on one occasion. 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

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.^1^ 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 6 in 10 deaths among working-age adults aged 20-64 years.^2^ Estimates also suggest that 903 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 2019, the cost of excessive alcohol use in Utah was estimated to be $1.34 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. (2021). ''Average for the United States 2015-2019 Alcohol-Attributable Deaths Due to Excessive Alcohol Use''. Retrieved from [https://nccd.cdc.gov/DPH_ARDI] # Alcohol and Public Health: Alcohol-Related Disease Impact. (2021). ''Average for Utah 2015-2019 Alcohol-Attributable Deaths Due to Excessive Alcohol Use''. Retrieved from [https://nccd.cdc.gov/DPH_ARDI] # CDC Vital Signs. (2015). ''Alcohol Poisoning Deaths Infographic''. Retrieved from [https://archive.cdc.gov/#/details?url=https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/alcohol-poisoning-deaths/infographic.html CDC] # Alcohol Abuse Tracking Committee, Utah Department of Public Safety. (2019). ''Alcohol Abuse Tracking Committee 2019 Report''. Retrieved from [https://dsamh-training.utah.gov/_documents/legislativereports/2021aatcreportfinal.pdf Utah Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health: DSAMH]

How Are We Doing?

In 2022, it was estimated that '''12.8%''' (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 in 2022 '''17% of U.S. adults''' reported binge drinking in the past 30 days whereas '''12.8% of Utah adults''' reported binge drinking (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 1989-2022.

What Is Being Done?

The [https://sumh.utah.gov/ Office of Substance Use and Mental Health (DSAMH)] is the agency responsible for ensuring that substance abuse and mental health prevention and treatment services are available statewide. The Office 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

Services include: ====Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention==== Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention (A-SBI) is a preventive service, similar to a hypertension or cholesterol screening, which can occur as part of a patient's wellness visit. A-SBI works to identify individuals at risk for alcohol use problems, and is followed by a brief discussion between the individual and a service provider. A referral to specialized treatment is provided when necessary. A-SBI aims to increase a person's awareness of their alcohol use and its consequences. When alcohol is being consumed in an excessive amount, the individual is motivated to either reduce risky drinking or seek treatment. [https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fasd/alcohol-screening.html 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 Alcohol Screening page [https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fasd/alcohol-screening.html]. ====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. SAMHSA's National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders. 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. Online resources for 2-1-1 are available at [http://211utah.org/].

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

Relevant Population Characteristics

In Utah, for 2023, binge drinking did vary by certain population characteristics. * Binge drinking was '''''more common among males'''''. * The prevalence of reported binge drinkers '''''decreased with increasing age'''''. * Binge drinking prevalence was '''''not significantly different among income groups'''''.

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.

Risk Factors

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

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.

Data Notes

Items to note regarding the data: * U.S. data are the average value for all states and the District of Columbia; they do not include U.S. territories. * The rates shown in the data table and on the line graph are crude rates, not age-adjusted, given that the Healthy People 2020 Objective is based on crude rates. [[br]]

Data Notes

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]

Data Notes

These rates are crude rates, not age-adjusted, given that the Healthy People 2020 Objective is based on crude rates. Estimates marked with the symbol ** have been suppressed because the relative standard error is greater than 50%. 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]

The Utah Small Areas with the highest percentage of binge drinking were Salt Lake City (Avenues), Salt Lake City (Downtown) V2, South Salt Lake, Salt Lake City (Southeast Liberty), and Midvale. Of Utah Small Areas with reliable estimates, the lowest percentage of binge drinking were Provo/BYU, Payson, American Fork, Pleasant Grove/Lindon, and Blanding/Monticello.

Data Notes

Notes regarding Utah Small Area data: *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. *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]

Data Notes

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]

"Hispanic" had significantly higher rates of binge drinking than "Non-Hispanic".

Data Notes

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]] *2020 AATC Report [https://dsamh-training.utah.gov/_documents/legislativereports/2021aatcreportfinal.pdf][[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/]