NEWS

Survey: Area binge drinking outpaces state, nation

Adam Rodewald
USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

More adults binge drink in Brown County than the rest of the state, which already ranks highest in the nation for gorging on alcohol, according to a new survey.

Thirty-eight percent of Brown County adults reported binge drinking at least once in 30 days, according to the 2014 Brown County Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance Survey.

By comparison, 35 percent of adults statewide and 32 percent of adults nationwide reported binging at least once, according to comparable surveys done in 2013.

Binge drinking is defined as having five or more drinks in a day.

The findings corroborate what health officials have already identified as a top issues affecting the area. Excessive drinking carries an annual cost of about $318 million, and 40 percent of that is shouldered by taxpayers, according to a 2013 report by Health First Wisconsin. That report also ranked the state as no. 1 for binge drinking and intensity of drinking.

"We know from working in the county that we certainly have a very big issue," said Brown County Health Officer Judy Friederichs.

The 2014 BRFSS survey found high rates of frequent binge drinking. Twelve percent of area adults binged five or more times in 30 days compared to 9 percent statewide and 8 percent nationwide.

Excessive alcohol consumption was even higher among young adults. Fifty-nine percent of 18-24 year olds reported binge drinking at least once in 30 days.

And, three times as many males binged as women.

"I think it is a (practice) that has always been a part of the culture here—that alcohol consumption is considered engrained in the fabric of the community," said Barbara Coniff, director of Libertas Treatment Center in Green Bay.

Coniff said the survey also indicated a large number of people drinking responsibly or foregoing alcohol altogether.

More than one-third of people surveyed reported not drinking at all in the past 30 days. Of those who did consume alcohol, 64 percent had only one or two drinks.

"Good for you. You're finding ways to be healthy and be responsible in your consumption," Coniff said.

In 2011, a task force formed to address alcohol and other drug abuse issues in the county. Efforts include advocating for safe alcohol serving practices, establishing standard alcohol and drug screenings in health clinics and reducing alcohol related traffic fatalities.

The BRFSS survey is administered regularly at state and national levels, but this is the first time it was done in Brown County. It included 400 telephone interviews in March and April with people 18 years or older. It has a 5 percent margin of error.

Data collected spans eating habits, sleep patterns, and physical activity as well as mental health, oral health, and perception of personal health

"We have a huge lack of local data," said Jen Van Den Elzen, Executive Director of Live 54218, an organization aiming to improve people's health in the region. "We're trying to be as active and responsive to that as we can,"

The survey results will serve as a baseline of data. Health officials hope to continue doing it every 3-5 years in order to track trends.

The $16,000 survey was funded by Live54218, Aurora BayCare, Bellin Health System, Hospital Sisters Health System, Prevea Health, the Brown County Health Department, and the Brown County United Way.

—arodewal@pressgazettemedia.com and follow him on Twitter @AdamGRodewald and on Facebook at Facebook.com/AdamGRodewald.

Alcohol consumption in past 30 days

Brown County

State

Nation

Drank at least once

63%

65%

54%

Drank on 10 or more days

19%

20%

16%

Binge drank at least once

38%

35%

32%

Binge drank 5 or more times

12%

9%

8%

SOURCE: 2014 Brown County Behavior Risk Factor Survey and 2013 state and national Behavior Risk Factor Survey