Drinking in America
When a client comes to me because they’re drinking too much, the first step is always to evaluate how much and how frequently they drink. This part of the process includes educating them on the health effects of alcohol and clearly distinguishing between low-risk drinking and high-risk or problem drinking.
Once the initial screening or evaluation is done, we expand our view to other areas of their life—work, relationships, stressors—to fully understand what’s contributing to their excessive drinking and the consequences. It’s not an easy journey, but it’s absolutely necessary.
Understanding Binge Drinking
Clients are often surprised to discover that their drinking habits qualify as problematic—especially when they realize they’ve been binge drinking without recognizing it. What seems like a typical night out may actually meet the criteria for binge drinking.
Past definition: For women, 5 or more drinks in one session; for men, 7 or more.
Current definition: Since 2018, the standard is 4 or more drinks for women and 5 or more for men, within about two hours.
This behavior isn’t limited to college kids—it spans all ages and social groups.
Alcohol Use in America: What the Latest Data Shows
Here’s what recent findings reveal:
According to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health:
60.4 million U.S. adults (23.5%) reported past-month binge drinking
— 26.5% of men and 20.6% of women
16.3 million adults (6.3%) reported heavy alcohol use in the past month
The overall rate of excessive alcohol consumption—which includes heavy and/or binge drinking—was 16.4% in 2023, down from 17.9% in 2022
This shows that fewer adults are engaging in excessive drinking compared to recent years—a small but important improvement.
Alcohol vs. Drug-Related Deaths: Current Picture
In 2023, there were approximately 47,938 alcohol-induced deaths in the U.S.—not counting accidents or homicides
In comparison, drug overdose deaths have begun to decline:
In 2024, the U.S. saw roughly 80,391 overdose deaths, the lowest total since 2019
For context, in 2010 there were about 38,329 drug overdose deaths, whereas alcohol claimed about 88,000 deaths per year between 2006–2010
So while drug overdose fatalities remain a critical public health issue, alcohol-related deaths still contribute significantly to the national toll.
Broader Health and Social Impacts
Chronic problem drinking is linked to serious consequences:
Mental health issues: depression and anxiety
Decline in social and professional functioning—missed work or school, lower productivity
Social isolation and relationship conflicts
Nationally, excessive alcohol use costs the U.S. an estimated $249 billion annually in productivity loss, healthcare, treatment, and crime-related expenses
Final Thoughts
Understanding these current statistics helps you see how widespread—and serious—excessive alcohol use continues to be. While some positive shifts are occurring, especially in overdose trends and excessive drinking rates, the impact of alcohol on individuals and society remains profound.
If you’re concerned about your drinking—and how it may be affecting your life—this evaluation process is a crucial first step. It’s not about judgment; it’s about clarity, support, and moving toward healthier functioning. *Statistics updated August 13, 2025.