Revealed: Seasonal depression predicted to increase binge drinking in Wisconsin – expert issues safety warning
- A new analysis reveals the states most prone to binge drinking this fall – and its bad news for Wisconsin
- The study analyses CDC and MHA data to rank the states who are most likely to binge drink, and admit to a substance use disorder
- North Dakota and Montana are big drinkers, whereas Utah residents are more likely to choose soda over spirits
- An industry expert offers advice on avoiding the temptation of binge drinking during the darker months
New analysis of health data reveals that Wisconsin is likely to drink alcohol excessively this fall, as the most and least boozy states are revealed.
The study by leading addiction treatment facility Origins Recovery reviews CDC and Mental Health America data to rank the states at risk of binge drinking, based on admitted habits – and therefore needing extra support.
‘Binge’ drinking refers to consuming four or more drinks (for women) or five or more drinks (men) on one occasion in the past 30 days, and ‘heavy’ drinking describes eight or more drinks (for women) or 15 or more drinks (for men) per week.
Drinking alcohol, even moderately, can have immediate effects on your brain and behaviour. It directly impacts your central nervous system, leading to impaired judgment, and can cause blackouts or alcohol poisoning in extreme cases.
It is therefore particularly important to be conscious of your drinking habits, and to avoid binge drinking and regular overconsumption.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that comes and goes in a seasonal pattern. Symptoms include a persistent low mood, feelings of worthlessness, and a lack of energy, with many sufferers experiencing these most in late fall and early winter.
Some of those affected by the condition will struggle to seek support this fall due to poor mental health care provisions, and this may exacerbate the high binge drinking prevalence across the states.
Residents in North Dakota need to be particularly cautious, as data reveals the region has the highest percentage of people who binge or heavy drink, as 23.9% of the population reported excessive drinking – nearly a quarter of the population.
This is significantly higher than the national average of 18.4%, with one in five of the state’s drinkers putting their health at risk when consuming alcohol, a worrying statistic which could worsen amidst rising seasonal depression rates.
Montana takes second place, with almost a quarter (23.4%) of its population admitting to overconsuming alcohol weekly, and nearly one–fifth of residents (19.2%) accepting that they have a substance abuse problem.
In third, 22.6% of Iowa residents report binge or heavy drinking, but only 15.7% have a diagnosed substance use disorder – almost one-fifth less than in Montana.
Whilst a low substance use disorder statistic is a good thing for any state, when paired with a high binge drinking statistic, it suggests that residents are not accessing care for a possible addiction due to a lack of awareness or support.
Wisconsin is the fourth most overconsumption- prone state, with 21.6% of its population drinking excessively, followed closely by Minnesota with 21.2%. 20.7% of Colorado citizens overconsume alcohol regularly, ranking the state in sixth.
In seventh and eighth, Vermont and Nebraska each report that 20.5% of their respective populations drink beyond the recommended amount, and both states rank in the top ten for substance abuse disorders (18% in Nebraska, 17.7% in Vermont).
In ninth, 20.3% of South Dakota residents overconsume alcohol weekly, while 18.6% of the population report a substance abuse disorder. Meanwhile, Missouri rounds out the top ten, reporting that one-fifth of residents (20.2%) are heavy drinkers and may need support this fall.
The ten states with the highest percentage of binge-drinking residents
|
|
State
|
Percentage of Adults Who Reported Weekly Binge or Heavy Drinking
|
Percentage of Adults Who Reported a Substance Use Disorder
|
|
1
|
North Dakota
|
23.9%
|
16.4%
|
|
2
|
Montana
|
23.4%
|
19.2%
|
|
3
|
Iowa
|
22.6%
|
15.7%
|
|
4
|
Wisconsin
|
21.6%
|
15.9%
|
|
5
|
Minnesota
|
21.2%
|
17.3%
|
|
6
|
Colorado
|
20.7%
|
17.3%
|
|
7
|
Vermont
|
20.5%
|
17.7%
|
|
8
|
Nebraska
|
20.5%
|
18.0%
|
|
9
|
South Dakota
|
20.3%
|
18.6%
|
|
10
|
Missouri
|
20.2%
|
15.9%
|
Despite not ranking in the top ten, Oregon (20.1%) and Wyoming (20%) report that at least one in five residents routinely binge alcohol, particularly during the colder months.
On the other end of the scale, Utah residents are the most likely to swap their spirits for a soft drink, as only 13.6% of the population reported binge or heavy drinking – significantly lower than the 18.4% average (26% less).
Similarly, only 12.6% of Utah residents reported a substance use problem – suggesting the state has the healthiest relationship with alcohol in the US.
Kentucky is the state with the second-lowest rate of heavy drinking, with 13.8% of its residents drinking in excess, and Alabama is close behind with 14.1% of residents reporting binging weekly.
Oklahoma and West Virginia round out the bottom five states, with 14.4% and 14.5% of residents admitting to heavy drinking. However, in Oklahoma, 16.1% of the population report a substance abuse disorder, suggesting further support is required.
The ten states with the lowest percentage of binge-drinking residents
|
|
State
|
Percentage of Adults Who Reported Weekly Binge or Heavy Drinking
|
Percentage of Adults Who Reported a Substance Use Disorder
|
|
1
|
Utah
|
13.6%
|
12.64%
|
|
2
|
Kentucky
|
13.8%
|
12.98%
|
|
3
|
Alabama
|
14.1%
|
14.94%
|
|
4
|
Oklahoma
|
14.4%
|
16.07%
|
|
5
|
West Virginia
|
14.5%
|
14.93%
|
|
6
|
Maryland
|
14.7%
|
15.27%
|
|
7
|
Mississippi
|
15.1%
|
15.47%
|
|
8
|
Delaware
|
15.2%
|
15.57%
|
|
8
|
Georgia
|
15.7%
|
11.31%
|
|
10
|
Indiana
|
15.8%
|
14.61%
|
Speaking on the findings, a spokesperson from Origins Recovery said: “The fall can be a particularly challenging time for anyone struggling with their relationship with alcohol. Outdoor activities are harder to organise as the daylight hours lessen, leading many to turn to bars and clubs for an evening’s entertainment. These venues can be difficult to navigate if you’re steering away from alcohol, but there are some great ways to avoid unnecessary overconsumption.
“Alcohol-free beers, ciders and spirits are commonplace behind most bars, and make great alternatives for attendees practicing sobriety. Mocktails are also good fun if you’re looking for a treat and they’re usually budget-friendly. Having a sobriety partner is also helpful as it can stop you feeling isolated when attending an event.
“Driving with a friend to a function is also a good idea, as it encourages you both to avoid the liquor to make it home. You should never be made to feel uncomfortable for not drinking, but if you’re worried about being questioned, opt for a soda or cranberry juice, as it’s visually impossible to tell if there’s a spirit in your drink.
“If you’re going to drink alcohol, try to have a small glass of water between each alcoholic beverage to reduce the amount of alcohol you consume. Ensure you’re eating enough before and afterwards, buy your own drinks to keep track of them, and set yourself a strict limit before you go out. Alcohol is sometimes used as a coping mechanism for individuals suffering from poor mental health, but it is an unhealthy, ineffective and unsafe way to try and lessen a condition like SAD. If you notice a serious change in your moods during the colder months, or a dependency on alcohol, it might be time to rethink your drinking habits, and seek help.”
Story credit: https://www.originstexas.com/
Methodology:â
Data was taken from Mental Health America’s (MHA) Adults with Substance Use Disorder 2023 ranking (which uses data from the SAMHSA report) and from the CDC’s Behavioural Risk Factor Surveillance System (2022), with prevalence of alcohol issue scaled by population to create a ranking of the states which are most likely to binge drink.
In the raw data, linked here, a ranking of 1 suggests the state most likely to over-indulge or demonstrate a substance use disorder, whereas a ranking of 51 (as the study includes the District of Columbia) suggests that the state is least likely to overconsume alcohol. A median value was calculated for the national average.
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Author: David Keech
David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]
