Let’s face it, when we hear the term “binge drinking” we might envision college-aged kids downing multiple shots of alcohol within a short period of time. Their peers are in the background chanting their names encouraging them to down even more shots. What we fail to acknowledge or even pay attention to is that there are others who are doing the same thing, binge drinking that is – and they are the senior citizens. According to the CDC binge drinking means “men drinking 5 or more alcoholic drinks within a short period of time or women drinking 4 or more drinks within a short period of time.”
The National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that “22 percent of men and 9 percent of women aged 50 to 64 reported binge drinking -- five or more drinks at a time -- within the last month. In this age group, "at-risk" drinking -- two or more drinks per day -- was found among 19 percent of men and 13 percent of women.” The CDC also reported that Binge drinking vary by state; California, New Jersey and Florida ranked highest among the states and Ohio ranked 24 along with 13 other states including Illinois and Pennsylvania following.
Why are we seeing old-aged binge drinking? Many believe the economy has a direct effect on the livelihood of seniors; while others see the aging USpopulation as being more evident to senior citizens binge drinking. The Baby Boomers, those born 1945 and 1962, are often associated with drinking and drug use during critical times in American history. Though this is the expectation because of the past this does not have to be the case. Prevention and intervention are effective forms to battle drinking period.
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