Binge Drinking | Video

Sarahbeth Ackerman | 1/10/2013

According to a recent study, you may see more and more woman wheeling their carts around in the liquor store. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study suggests that binge drinking in women is increasing.

"Especially in our area in North Dakota, alcohol is a number one issue that we have for both men and women," said Meredythe Lester.

Binge drinking is defined as consuming four or more alcoholic drinks a day. "We are seeing more and more women at a younger age coming in for evaluations for chemical dependency issues. The younger woman may not drink as often as the 35 year of woman. However, when they do drink, they drink more," said Lester.

The study found that women ages 18 to 34 are the prime target consuming a high amount of alcohol, even more so than men. "Men and woman do process alcohol differently. It seems to go through men`s system faster than it does for women," said Lester.

According to the national average, about 1 in 8 women binge drink. But for Minot, women are consuming about six drinks a day.

Lester works with many men and women who need treatment. "Men and woman definitely deal with stressful situations differently. Men are able to compartmentalize their issues while women are more readily willing to show their emotions."

Lester says that sometimes woman may not reach out for help when they are stressed, so they`re may reach for a bottle.

The dietary guidelines for alcohol consumption for women are one drink per day and up to two drinks a day for men.

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