Binge drinking is a growing problem in the United States

Binge drinking has turned into a significant problem throughout the U.S. as more than 25 percent of individuals between the ages of 18 and 34 years old are taking part in binge drinking. Research from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), addresses this problem and explains binge drinking to be consumption of five or more alcohol beverages for men and four or more drinks for women over the course of less than three hours.

The report estimates 21 percent of males and 10 percent of females probably engage in binge drinking.

Researchers stress the dangers of binge drinking and note how it increases health risks including unsafe sexual behavior, car accidents, and overdosing on drugs. As the the United States’ third leading cause of preventable death, alcohol abuse typically results in additional health or social problems.

For the study, researchers analyzed self-proclaimed binge drinking reports of 412,000 American adults above the age of 18.

About 79,000 alcohol related deaths occur every year in the United States. Not only do instant health problems exist, but contraction of a sexually transmitted disease, an unwanted pregnancy, or engaging in physical abuse may occur.

Binge drinking rates seem to be higher in the Midwest, and lower in the Northeast part of the United States.