Binge Drinking

Lookbook Vol. 2

DEFINITION

Percentage of women ages 18-44 who reported either binge drinking (having four or more drinks on one occasion in the past 30 days) or chronic drinking (having eight or more drinks per week).4

14.3 percent

19.2 percent

OKLAHOMA

NATIONAL AVERAGE

Data Highlight:

Oklahoma ranks 5 (of 50) in binge drinking amongst women. Mississippi and Utah tie for the lowest rates of 12.2 percent of all women, and Massachusetts has the highest rates of binge drinking for women, at 27 percent. 4

Why We Care:

Addressing the root cause of alcohol use and the physiology of addiction will help improve outcomes for women consuming alcohol at unhealthy levels or experiencing alcohol dependence. Oklahoma has some of the lowest rates of binge drinking among women in the nation. 99,100 However, our rates of alcohol consumption during pregnancy require particular improvement. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, increasing the likelihood a baby is born with birth defects, the mother could miscarry, or have a stillbirth. 99 While drinking early in a pregnancy before the mother discovered the pregnancy can happen, it doesn’t necessarily lead to drinking throughout the pregnancy. For the 20.3 percent of Oklahoma women who reported using alcohol during the last three months of pregnancy, having the support of others and counseling can help improve both theirs and their baby’s future health. 99,100

What We Can Do:

- Continue to increase funding for mental health and substance use treatment so women can access counseling and treatment services for alcohol use disorder - Provide education on alternative stress reduction and mindfulness activities - During prenatal check-ups, utilize a brief screening and counseling intervention, providing women with treatment options and education on the side effects of consuming alcohol while pregnant

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