Iowa and Wisconsin Rank Top 5 in the Nation for Binge Drinking

I get it, I grew up in a small farm community. I then went to college. And here's what I grew to understand very quickly: in the Midwest, we like our booze; some of us a little too much. That has now been proven out by the latest study from Wellbrook Recovery, which looked at CDC and Mental health America data to determine which states are most prone to binge or heavy drinking. And guess what? There's Iowa and Wisconsin leading the boozy charge.

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According to the study, Iowa ranks third in the nation for binge and heavy drinking, with 22.6% of adults reporting they regularly drink beyond recommended levels. To put that into perspective, that’s about one in every five people. Wisconsin is close behind, ranking fourth, with 21.6% of its population identifying as weekly binge drinkers. So it is true; tailgates, fish fries, hometown bars, and holiday parties add up to a whole lot of boozy days.

The CDC defines binge drinking as having four or more drinks in one sitting for women, or five or more for men, in the past month. Heavy drinking means eight or more drinks per week for women, and 15 or more for men. These numbers don’t just suggest a fun Friday night, they’re linked to long-term health issues, from liver disease to increased anxiety and depression. Listen, tossing a few back with friends can be fun. However, downing ten beers alone by yourself on a Tuesday is a serious ode to addiction.

And here’s where things get even more concerning: Iowa and Wisconsin also report relatively high rates of substance use disorders. In Iowa, 15.7% of residents report struggling with a substance use issue. In Wisconsin, that number is 15.9%. Researchers suggest that while drinking is socially accepted, almost expected in many Midwest communities and events, it may keep many people from recognizing when casual drinking has become something more serious and sinister.

By the way this issue is definitely right at home in the Midwest. Other states making the top ten include: North Dakota, Minnesota, Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Missouri. So is binge drinking a 'fly-over' state issue? I'm not so sure. Each state has it's own issues, and here's what I noticed. According to the data there is only a 10% difference in the number 1 spot and the number 50 spot. Number 1 is held by North Dakota at 23.9%, while Number 50, Utah, sits at 13.6% of adults who reported weekly binge or heavy drinking.

But this isn’t about judgment. It’s about awareness. The culture around drinking in the Midwest is strong. It can definitely be community-based, tradition-filled, and often harmless in intention. Yet studies like this remind us that when “just one more” becomes the norm, it may be worth a serious look at our lifestyle. Some studies now show that Iowa's increase in cancer rates is linked to our alcohol consumption.

No one is saying to cancel the backyard barbecue, tailgate, or brewery tour. But maybe the conversation should include being mindful. Like, "who's driving you home?" or "how many is that now?" Sure, being a nag can suck, but making sure fun stays fun, not unhealthy is really important for our livelihood. After all, community is about looking out for each other, too. So, yes, grab a beer, seltzer, or mixed drink, just be aware that "one to many" can lead you down an awfully dark path.