Characteristics of Adult Binge Drinkers: Quantity Consumed, Beverage Preferences, and Subsequent Driving

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to summarize the characteristics of adult binge drinkers with respect to quantity consumed, beverage preferences, and driving after binge drinking. METHODS: Data were analyzed from 7,876 adult binge drinkers from the 2008 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System binge drinking module among 14 states. Binge drinking was defined as consuming ³5 drinks for men or ³4 drinks for women in the past 30 days. RESULTS: During their most recent binge episode, men consumed an average of 8.3 (median 6) drinks and women consumed an average of 5.7 (median 5) drinks. Risk factors for consuming a larger number of drinks included being male, younger, and paying less per drink. Beer accounted for 62.4% of all binge drinks consumed. Overall, 7.8% of binge drinkers reported driving during or within two hours of binge drinking. Risk factors for driving after binge drinking included being male, older, binge drinking more often, and consuming alcohol in a licensed establishment (i.e., bars, clubs and restaurants). CONCLUSIONS: Binge drinkers typically consume alcohol at levels exceeding the thresholds defining this behavior. From a public health perspective, alcohol control policies (e.g., excise tax rates) should be arguably stricter for beer than for other beverages. Promulgating effective laws and policies (e.g., prohibitions against sales to intoxicated patrons, dram shop liability laws) to prevent over-service and excessive consumption of alcohol in establishments could substantially reduce impaired driving.