Alcohol is considered to be a socially acceptable drug by many people in the United States. Collectively, Americans drink almost 8 billion gallons of alcohol per year, and on an individual level, alcohol consumption is trending up. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism’s 2023 Surveillance Report, the overall per-capita consumption of ethanol from alcoholic drinks was 2.51 gallons, a 2.0% increase from 2020. Attitudes toward alcohol consumption vary across the country. In this guide, we’ll look at the most sober states and the states with the highest levels of alcohol consumption.
Which Are the Most Sober States?
Alcohol consumption is heaviest in the northern states, with New Hampshire, North Dakota and Montana all among the top five. Ranking alcohol consumption by state, the states with the highest annual levels of drinking are:
- New Hampshire: 4.67 gallons per person
- Delaware: 3.52 gallons per person
- Nevada: 3.42 gallons per person
- North Dakota: 3.16 gallons per person
- Montana: 3.10 gallons per person
- Vermont: 3.06 gallons per person
- Idaho: 2.94 gallons per person
- Wisconsin: 2.93 gallons per person
- Colorado: 2.88 gallons per person
- Alaska: 2.85 gallons per person
Residents of New Hampshire consume the most wine and beer, making it the drunkest state in America. California residents are also heavy drinkers by volume; however, the amount of units of alcohol they consume is lower than those listed above.
In contrast, the states where the lowest amounts of alcohol are consumed annually, starting with the lowest, are:
- Utah: 1.35 gallons per person
- West Virginia: 1.74 gallons per person
- Arkansas: 1.78 gallons per person
- Oklahoma: 1.85 gallons per person
- Georgia: 1.90 gallons per person
- Kansas: 1.92 gallons per person
- Kentucky: 1.95 gallons per person
- Alabama: 1.99 gallons per person
- Ohio: 2.03 gallons per person
- Maryland: 2.08 gallons per person
Factors Contributing to High Alcohol Use
Many social and economic factors can impact typical alcohol consumption levels in different areas of the country. For example, states with lower average incomes tend to have lower rates of excessive drinking, presumably because alcohol is expensive to purchase.
In states with a higher average income, people are more likely to be able to afford to indulge in wine or other alcoholic drinks. Individuals who are college-educated and have an above-average income are more likely to consume alcohol. Such people are more likely to be otherwise healthy and less likely to experience negative outcomes as a result of their alcohol consumption.
Religion is an important factor when it comes to alcohol consumption, too. Utah has a significant Mormon population, and the Mormon faith prohibits alcohol consumption, so it’s not unexpected to see that Utah has some of the lowest levels of alcohol consumption in the country. In contrast, states where the Catholic faith is predominant tend to see higher levels of alcohol consumption than the average.
The Health and Social Impacts of Heavy Drinking
Heavy alcohol consumption can lead to a significant number of negative health outcomes, including:
- Cardiac issues
- Oral and esophageal cancer
- Fatty liver disease
- Alcohol-related hepatitis
- Colorectal cancer
- Muscle wasting
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome
- Increased risk of strokes
- Pancreatitis
- Reduced bone density
- Weakened immune system
- Depression or anxiety
Drinking alcohol of any amount is associated with an increased risk of cancer. Both binge drinkers and those who have no more than one drink a day but drink regularly over time are at increased risk of alcohol-related cancer deaths.
In addition, there are also short-term risks. Alcohol consumption impairs balance and decision-making, increasing people’s risks of slips, falls and injuries. Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is incredibly dangerous and often results in fatalities.
North Dakota, where binge drinking and heavy drinking are commonplace, has a high level of alcohol-related driving fatalities. Approximately 46.7% of driving fatalities in the state are alcohol-related, compared with a national average of just 30%. Alcohol-related traffic fatalities are also above average in Delaware, where binge drinking is less commonplace but alcohol consumption is high and penalties for first-time DUIs are relatively lenient.
Finally, it’s important to consider alcohol consumption alongside other high-risk behaviors. Excessive alcohol consumption often goes hand in hand with risky sexual behavior, which can have lasting consequences in the form of unwanted pregnancies or transmission of sexually transmitted diseases. While birth control and barrier contraceptives can reduce the risk of such issues, intoxicated individuals may opt not to take such precautions. In states with lower rates of excessive alcohol use, STD transmission tends to be lower.
Help Is Available to Beat Alcohol Abuse
If you’re concerned about the amount of alcohol you or someone close to you consumes, know that help is available. Many rehab centers offer outpatient support to help people take control of their alcohol consumption without having to disrupt their day-to-day routines.
Seeking help for alcohol abuse early, before it starts to have a lasting impact on your health and relationships, increases the likelihood of a sustainable recovery.
The National Rehab Hotline provides free and confidential advice and information about local care providers. Contact us now to learn more about the options available in your area for people who are struggling with alcohol abuse.