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The Guide to Clinical Preventive Services
Preventing Excessive Alcohol Consumption
Excessive alcohol consumption is the third leading cause of preventable death in the United States and is a risk factor for many health and societal problems. In 2006, the estimated economic cost of excessive drinking in the U. S. was $223.5 billion (Bouchery et al 2011). Approximately 5% of the total population drinks heavily and 15% of the population engages in binge drinking (CDC) 
.
Among adults, excessive consumption can take the form of heavy drinking, binge drinking, or both.
- Heavy drinking is defined as more than two drinks per day on average for men or more than one drink per day on average for women.
- Binge drinking is defined as five or more drinks during a single occasion for men or four or more drinks during a single occasion for women.
Underage drinking can also be considered a form of excessive drinking because it is both illegal and often involves consumption in quantities and settings that can lead to serious immediate and long-term consequences.
- People aged 12 to 20 years drink 11% of all alcohol consumed in the United States. More than 90% of this alcohol is consumed in the form of binge drinks (OJJDP)
[PDF - 1.08MB] .
Task Force Recommendations & Findings
This table lists interventions reviewed by the Community Guide, with Task Force findings for each (definitions of findings). Click on an underlined intervention title for a summary of the review.
| Interventions Directed to the General Population | |
| Dram Shop Liability | Recommended March 2010 |
| Electronic Screening and Brief Interventions (e-SBI) | Recommended August 2012 |
| Increasing Alcohol Taxes | Recommended June 2007 |
| Maintaining Limits on Days of Sale | Recommended June 2008 |
| Maintaining Limits on Hours of Sale | Recommended February 2009 |
| Overservice Law Enforcement Initiatives | Insufficient Evidence March 2010 |
| Privatization of Retail Alcohol Sales | Recommended Against April 2011 |
| Regulation of Alcohol Outlet Density | Recommended February 2007 |
| Responsible Beverage Service Training | Insufficient Evidence October 2010 |
| Interventions Directed to Underage Drinkers | |
| Enhanced Enforcement of Laws Prohibiting Sales to Minors | Recommended February 2006 |
Presentations & Promotional Materials
Slides:
Using Evidence for Public Health Decision Making: Preventing Excessive Alcohol Consumption and Related Harms [PDF - 476KB] Developed by the Community Guide
Action Guides:
Strategizer 55 - Regulating Alcohol Outlet Density: An Action Guide Developed by the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America in partnership with the Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Promotional Materials:
Summary of Community Guide Recommended Strategies: Evidence-Based Strategies to Prevent Excessive Alcohol Consumption and Related Harms [PDF - 407KB] Developed by the Community Guide in collaboration with CDC’s Alcohol Program
Community Guide News About Maintaining Limits on Days and Hours of Sale: Reducing the Harms from Drinking Too Much by Limiting Access to Alcohol Developed by the Community Guide in collaboration with CDC’s Alcohol Program
Community Guide News: Regulating Alcohol Outlet Density Prevents Excessive Alcohol Use Developed by the Community Guide in collaboration with CDC’s Alcohol Program
Media Outreach
CDC Media Release: Task Force Finds Commercial Liability an Effective Strategy to Reduce Alcohol-related Problems Developed by the Community Guide in collaboration with CDC’s Alcohol Program
CDC Media Advisory About Maintaining Limits on Days and Hours of Sale: CDC Releases Two Reports on Excessive Alcohol Use and Related Harms Developed by the Community Guide in collaboration with CDC’s Alcohol Program
CDC Newsroom Formatted Article About Maintaining Limits on Days and Hours of Sale: Reducing the Harms from Drinking Too Much by Limiting Access to Alcohol [PDF - 208KB] Developed by the Community Guide in collaboration with CDC’s Alcohol Program
For More on this Topic
CDC, Alcohol and Public Health
Disclaimer
The findings and conclusions on this page are those of the Community Preventive Services Task Force and do not necessarily represent those of CDC.
Sample Citation
The content of publications of the Guide to Community Preventive Services is in the public domain. Citation as to source, however, is appreciated. Sample citation: Guide to Community Preventive Services. Preventing excessive alcohol consumption. www.thecommunityguide.org/alcohol/index.html. Last updated: MM/DD/YYYY.
