Top Drunkest States Over The Holiday Season Revealed

‘Tis the Season to be Jolly: Top 10 drunkest states over the holiday season revealed, according to survey 

• The average American admits they drink 27% more during the festive season as compared to the rest of the year.
• 1 in 5 employees admit they drink every day that they are off work over the holidays.
• 17% of people say they have a boozy breakfast on Christmas Day.
• A quarter consider themselves a ‘heavy drinker’ during the holidays.
• 27% of respondents drink stronger liquor during the festive season.
• Infographic included.

Home Hangover for the holidays? If there’s one thing Americans know how to have, it’s a very merry Christmas! Even if you aren’t able to travel home for holidays, you may be celebrating the festivities by popping a bottle (or many)… Following a stressful year for a majority of us, it is likely people across the country are gearing up for a booze-infused festive season this year. With so many different types of spiked holiday beverages to enjoy, most of us are ready to drink our way through the holidays one eggnog at a time!

Sunrise House conducted a survey of 3,000 Americans (aged 21+) and compiled data to formulate a list of the most drunken states over the holidays. The survey found that the average American consumes three alcoholic drinks per day over the holiday period.

It was found that North Dakota emerged top of the list as the drunkest state during the festive season, with the average Peace Garden State resident drinking eight alcoholic drinks per day during this period. Comparatively, Alaska, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana and South Dakota residents consume an average of two boozy beverages per day over the holiday period.

The Booziest Time of the Year? The survey also found that the average American drinks 27% more during the holiday season as compared to the rest of the year. Although drinking can be part of the festivities during this time, it is important to remember that binge drinking – excessive consumption of alcohol in a single setting – is something to be mindful of as it can be dangerous. That is, consuming more alcohol than we would usually consume within a similar time frame.

After a long year of working from home due to social distancing regulations, many employees are likely looking forward to kicking back with a couple beers and taking it easy over the holiday season. In fact, 17% of American employees say they drink every day that they are off from work over the festive period! And almost one in five (17%) admit they enjoy a boozy breakfast on Christmas Day.

The survey also discovered that almost a quarter (23%) of Americans consider themselves ‘heavy drinkers’ over the holiday season. Additionally, over a quarter (27%) of drinkers say they consume stronger liquor during the holidays than they would throughout the rest of the year. The CDC defines* heavy drinking for women as consuming eight alcoholic drinks or more per week, and for men, 15 drinks or more per week. Broken down over the week leading up to Christmas or New Year’s Day, a few hot buttered rums, whiskey sours or eggnogs here and there can add up, so it’s important to monitor your own consumption as well as your loved ones’ during this time.

“If you find yourself waking up with a hangover more days than not during the holidays, this might be a sign that you are overindulging,” said Brittney Morse, a spokesperson for Sunrise House Treatment Center and a licensed advanced alcohol and drug counselor. “Overindulging in alcohol can be a bad habit that leads to dependence even after the holidays are over. It’s important to check-in with yourself and consider alternative ways to celebrate that are not centered around the consumption of alcohol.” What do you mean by drinks 20or more per week? [cdc.gov].