Binge drinking — when women consume more than four drinks in two to three hours, and men consume more than five — has immediate effects that increase the risk of developing long-term chronic diseases. Studies show that binge drinking has been associated with heart disease, cancers, depression, anxiety and alcohol dependence.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), excessive alcohol use is responsible for 88,000 deaths in the U.S. each year. Binge drinking is responsible for over half the deaths and three-quarters of the costs due to excessive alcohol use.
The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence started Alcohol Awareness Month in 1987 to greatly reduce the stigma associated with alcoholism and encourage public health organizations to provide information that will educate the community on the serious health issue.
To honor the month and raise awareness, see the below infographic from the CDC that details what binge drinking is and its health effects. To learn more about alcohol use, visit cdc.gov/alcohol.
