DURHAM, N.C., Aug 18, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Twenty-two percent of men and 9
percent of women ages 50-64 report binge drinking -- five or more drinks at one
sitting -- a U.S. survey indicated.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center say the National Survey on Drug
Use and Health indicated that "at-risk" drinking -- two or more drinks per day
-- was found among 19 percent of men and 13 percent of women. The nationally
representative survey of nearly 11,000 men and women age 50 and older asked
about their use of alcohol over the last year.
The findings, published in The American Journal of Psychiatry, indicate 14
percent of men and 3 percent of woman age 65 and older report binge drinking.
"A surprising number of older Americans are engaging in drinking patterns that
are putting their health at risk, yet these problems often go unrecognized,"
lead author Dr. Dan G. Blazer says in a statement.
The survey also says:
-- Overall, 66 percent of men and 55 percent of women report alcohol use during
the past year.
-- Binge drinking was more common among those with a higher income and people
who use tobacco and illicit drugs.
-- Being separated, divorced or widowed was associated with at-risk and binge
drinking among men.
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Copyright 2009 by United Press International