Binge drinkers are getting older

WASHINGTON – Spring break is well underway with all its tales of partying and binge drinking. But it turns out the biggest bingers are folks who came of age a long time ago.

Think college kids have the market cornered on binge drinking? Think again.

Grandma and grandpa are doing it more often.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says adults over 65 have the highest frequency of binging of any age group with an average of five to six times a month.

Binge drinking is usually defined as at least four drinks for women and five for men in about two hours.

College age bingers still tend to drink the most at one sitting — about nine drinks per binge.

WTOP’s Paula Wolfson contributed to this report. Follow WTOP on Twitter.

(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)

Federal News Network Logo
Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you.

Sign up