Alcohol Misuse, Alcoholism, and Treatment Stats in Southern California
Binge drinking rates among California adults from 2015 to 2020 were higher among men (20.3%) than women (11.0%), based on the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data, according to the California Department of Public Health. Binge drinking is defined as five or more drinks for men and four or more for women on at least one occasion.
Heavy drinking rates — defined as weekly consumption of 14 or more drinks for men and seven or more for women — were slightly higher among women (6.0%) than men (5.2%). Among age groups, those 18-24 had the highest rates of binge drinking (21.8%), while adults aged 25-34 had the highest rates of heavy drinking (6.3%). By race/ethnicity, white adults showed the highest prevalence of both binge (16.8%) and heavy drinking (8.3%). Educationally, those with a college degree or higher exhibited similar rates of binge (15.2%) and heavy drinking (5.7%). Lastly, adults without health insurance had higher rates of both binge (20.3%) and heavy drinking (7.1%) compared to those with insurance.
Of the 127,654 admissions to state- or county-contracted substance abuse programs in California in 2019, 12% were admissions for alcohol alone, while 10% were for alcohol with a secondary drug, according to a 2022 report published by the California Health Care Foundation.
These alcohol addiction statistics underscore significant gender disparities in alcohol consumption patterns, with young adults and uninsured individuals showing higher rates. They highlight the need for targeted interventions and policies to address alcohol misuse across diverse demographic groups in California.