An American Journal of Public Health published study unveiled that 18% of Americans are considered binge drinking. But for La Crosse County, the average is 24% adults saying they were binge drinkers.

As per the Centers for Disease Control, binge drinking is having five more drinks for men and four or more drinks for women in a single outing. The study has found in the La Crosse County, more than $75.5 million dollars in productivity has been lost owing to excessive alcohol use in 2013.

Local health officials have termed the number to be worrisome. “One of the things that was surprising to me with this report is that the drinking rate is rising so quickly for women and much more so than men and especially among binge drinking and heavy drinking”, stated Catherine Kolkmeier from the Changing the Culture of Risky Drinking Behavior Coalition.

Since 2005, America’s habit of heavy alcohol consumption has increased significantly. Around 19.5% of adults in Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties have reported binge drinking in last month. Kevin Lewis, CEO of the Fort Myers-based substance abuse treatment provider SalusCare Inc., said that he is not surprised to know about the findings.

As per him, alcohol use and abuse is closely linked to populations that are retired having plenty of free time and disposable income. Lewis said that there is a social norm that drinking is perfectly normal and this norm is for most of the people.

However, such is not the case with everyone, as it can lead to health problems and relationship problems. A different 2014 survey commissioned by Lee Memorial Health System said that high rates of binge and heavy drinking is reported in south Lee and coastal regions.