There has been little change in the prevalence of self-reported "binge drinking" or of chronic heavy drinking among Delaware adults during the past six years.  In 2022, 14.0 percent of Delaware adults reported binge drinking during the 30 days prior to being interviewed, and 5.5 percent of adults reported chronic, heavy drinking.

The Delaware BRFS asks several questions about alcoholic beverages, which are analyzed to provide prevalence estimates for three factors:  1) percentage of the adult population who drink alcoholic beverages of any type, 2) percentage of adults who are binge drinkers, and 3) percentage of adults who are heavy drinkers.  Chronic heavy drinking and/or binge drinking can increase the drinker's risk for personal injury, car crashes and fatalities, heart disease, cancer, cirrhosis of the liver, and a number of other health conditions.

The BRFS defines binge drinking as "males having five or more drinks, and females having four or more drinks, on one occasion." Binge drinking was higher among men (16.5 percent) than women (11.6 percent). Prevalence was highest among adults age 18-44 and declined steadily with age.

Binge Drinking, by Age:

• 18-24 = 20.4 percent
• 25-34 = 19.8 percent
• 35-44 = 20.8 percent
• 45-54 = 16.1 percent
• 55-64 = 10.8 percent
• 65 and older = 5.2 percent

Binge drinkers are about two times as likely as those who don't binge drink to smoke cigarettes, increasing their risks for several chronic diseases.  About 23.9 percent of binge drinkers report also being smokers, compared to only 12.6  percent of adults who don't binge drink.

Regular Heavy Drinking

"Heavy drinking" is defined by the BRFS and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as more than 14 alcoholic drinks per week for men and more than 7 drinks per week for women.

In 2022, 5.5 percent of Delaware adults reported heavy drinking. The trend is slightly higher than 5.0 percent in 2021. 

Any Alcohol Use

In 2022, more than half (53.6 percent) of Delaware's adult population reported drinking alcohol at least once in the past 30 days. The percentage of the adult population who consume at least some alcoholic beverages has remained largely unchanged for the past decade. 

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