In 2016, 6.6% of the U.S. adult population reported heavy alcohol use and 26.2% reported at least one binge drinking day (defined as 4 or more drinks in a day for women and 5 or more drinks for men) during the preceding month (Box 1).1 Between 2006 and 2010, the annual number of alcohol-associated deaths in the U.S. was approximately 88,000 or 9.8% of all U.S. deaths.2 In 2010, the estimated alcohol-related costs in the U.S. were $249 billion, 77% of which was attributable to binge drinking.3 Regular binge drinking can lead to an alcohol use disorder (AUD), which is defined as a problematic pattern of alcohol use accompanied by clinically significant impairment or distress4 (Box 2).
