Alcohol Abuse Worse in Some Cities than Others

Alcohol abuse is a serious problem that continues to have a negative impact on people in every state across the country. Each year, thousands of Americans lose their lives to excessive drinking and thousands more are affected by the economic, legal, and personal ramifications that alcohol abuse can have on a person’s life.

Too often, people who abuse alcohol will get behind the wheel of a car while they are intoxicated. Because alcohol can affect a person’s ability to react quickly, drunk driving accidents are not uncommon. One moment of poor judgment can permanently alter—or end—another person’s life. Drunk drivers are also more likely to speed, which can make a car accident even more devastating.

According to a recent study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), alcohol abuse cost the United States approximately $250 billion in lost productivity, medical bills, and car accidents in 2010. As part of the study, the CDC looked at each state and identified the city that had the most significant alcohol abuse problem.

Alcohol Consumption

Approximately 18 percent of Americans are known to drink excessively. The rate of heavy drinking and binge drinking varies from state to state and from city to city. The CDC considers excessive alcohol consumption to include the following:

• Binge drinking: Four or more alcoholic drinks in a single occasion for women and five or more for men.
• Heavy drinking: Eight or more drinks per week for women and 15 or more drinks for men.

Drunkest City in Maryland

The CDC report found that California-Lexington Park had the highest rate of alcohol abuse in the state. The report revealed the following statistics:

• Metropolitan statistical area (MSA) adults that binge or heavily drink: 18.8%
• State adults that binge or heavily drink: 15.5%
• Alcohol-related driving deaths: 35.7% (top 25%)

The California-Lexington Park area is the wealthiest area in Maryland, and among the wealthiest in the country, with a median household income of $21,000 more than the U.S. median household income. That means that residents of this city can easily afford the cost of alcohol, which can be expensive.

Residents of this area are also more likely to engage in activities where alcohol is served. According to the CDC report, close to 19 percent of adults in this city drink heavily or binge drink. Unfortunately, this can have a negative impact on the health of those who abuse alcohol on a regular basis. In California-Lexington Park, approximately 10 out of every 100,000 residents die from alcohol-related causes each year.

Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Represent Victims of Drunk Driving Accidents

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident involving a drink driver, contact our Baltimore car accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton. Drunk driving is a serious offense and we will ensure that the negligent parties are held liable for their actions. To schedule a free consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.

Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent car accident victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.