[icon style=”globe” color=”blue”]The National Institute of Health[/icon] reports that:

In 2009, 51.9% of Americans age 12 and older had used alcohol at least once in the 30 days prior to being surveyed;

  • 23.7% had binged, which was the equivalent of 5 or more drinks within a 2-hour period; and,
  • 6.8% drank heavily, which is considered consuming 5 or more drinks or 5 or more occasions.

For those 12 – 17 years of age,

  • 14.7% had consumed at least one drink the 30-days prior to being surveyed;
  • 8.8% had binged; and,
  • 2.1% drank heavily.

Source: [icon_link style=”globe” color=”red” href=”http://www.samhsa.gov/data/NSDUH.aspx” target=”_blank”]National Survey on Drug Use and Health[/icon_link]