Study Focuses On Binge Drinking

A new Vital Signs report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that alcohol poisoning kills an average of 77 people in Michigan each year, and three in four of those deaths involve adults ages 35 – 64 years.

The report analyzes alcohol poisoning death rates across 46 states.

Dr. Matthew Davis, chief medical executive of the Michigan Department of Community Health says the study dispels the common notion that youth and young adults have the biggest problem with binge drinking.

According to Davis, it emphasizes the need for comprehensive solutions to reduce binge drinking among all ages, including community prevention strategies, screening and counseling by health care providers, and substance abuse treatment when necessary.

Binge drinking is defined as consuming four or more drinks for women, and five or more drinks for men on an occasion.

Nationally, alcohol poisoning causes an average of six deaths each day, and most deaths occur among men and non-Hispanic whites.