Game over: Kansas is drunker than Missouri, survey says
Here’s something to debate at the bar before the big Chiefs game Sunday: Kansans are apparently heavier drinkers than their Show-Me-State cousins.
The Drunkest States in America study, recognizing that drinking is a “big part of American culture,” ranked the amount of drinking going on across the country.
The “drunkest” place? The District of Columbia. Go figure.
The most sober state? Arkansas.
Kansas staggered in at No. 19, and Missouri ranked No. 23.
SafeHome, which reviews safety technology, analyzed data from the FBI, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other sources to determine the percentage of people in each state who drink, how much they drink, binge-drinking rates and the prevalence of craft brewers.
Five of the Top 10 drunkest states were in the Midwest. Eight of the 10 least-drunk states were in the South.
The study found that:
▪ In Kansas, 62.4% of adults drink regularly and 28.3% binge drink regularly.
▪ In Missouri: 55% of adults drink, and 27.2% binge drink regularly.
▪ The 10 heaviest-drinking places are the District of Columbia, Vermont, South Dakota, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska and Colorado.
▪ The 10 lightest-drinking states are Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, Oklahoma, Utah, Hawaii, North Carolina, Kentucky and West Virginia.
The survey cites data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration that says more than 5 in 10 American adults are regular drinkers.
“With multiple holidays and special events based almost entirely around drinking (see: St. Patrick’s Day, New Year’s Eve and every football Sunday), for many Americans, their favorite pastime seems to be cracking open a beer or pouring a stiff cocktail,” the survey says.
The Pilgrims, though, were more wasted.
“But would it surprise you to know that the typical American today could be considered downright prudish compared to early Americans?” the survey says.
“That’s right, our puritanical ancestors drank quite a bit more than we do today — to the tune of about 5.8 gallons per person per year; that compares with just 2.3 gallons per person on average in modern America.”
The survey noted the “dark side of drinking,” pointing out that federal statistics show that nearly 6% of American adults have alcoholism or alcohol use disorder, a rate that has fallen from 7.7% in 2008.
“While alcohol dependence may be on the decline and most people who drink are able to do so without brushing up against the legal system and/or substance abuse disorders, the truth is that recreational drinking can easily turn into problem drinking,” the survey cautioned.
This story was originally published January 16, 2020 at 11:46 AM.
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