Alcohol is the most widely used drug in the United States, but in some areas drinking is more prevalent and a part of the culture. Austin, TX is known for being the Live Music Capital of the World where there’s always something going on and festivals every weekend. And all of the activities usually involve alcohol.
Recently, Austin was named one of the booziest cities in the country. And this isn’t a badge of honor that’s based on the party scene. The designation is based on some cold, hard facts about excessive drinking and alcohol use disorder.
Sobering Austin Alcohol Abuse Statistics
- Austin-Round Rock has the highest rate of alcohol abuse in Texas (2017).
- Austin has the 5th highest percentage of drinkers in the country (2019).
- Labor Day weekend 2022 marked the deadliest period on record for the year due to alcohol-related accidents.
- Approximately 69,000 people in Texas are arrested for driving under the influence each year.
In 2017, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released information that made some Austinites put down their pint glass and pay attention. They found that Austin had the highest rate of alcohol abuse in Texas and one of the highest rates overall in the U.S. While 18% of adults in the country admit to excessive drinking, the rate in the Austin metro is 22.3%.
This was followed up by a 2019 survey from Alcohol.org that found Austin ranked 5th on the list of highest percentage of drinkers in the U.S. Laredo was the only Texas city that scored higher than Austin.
An action plan to address substance abuse from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) noted that 69,000 Texans are arrested every year for driving under the influence. It’s very troubling given that nearly half of all fatal traffic accidents in the state involve alcohol.
Men in Austin drink more heavily than women. This increases the need for men’s addiction treatment programs that are designed to address gender-related issues. Alcohol rehab for men often involves addressing specific types of trauma and coping inabilities.
Austin Underage Alcohol Abuse Statistics
The state has also tracked alcohol use among Texans that are under 21 years old. Measuring and addressing underage drinking is extremely important since the risk of alcohol abuse and addiction is higher for people who begin drinking at age 15 or younger.
The DSHS action plan also provided eye-opening statistics on underage drinking in Texas. According to their data:
- 47% of people 12 and older in Texas report using alcohol within the last month.
- 17% of Texas teens say they had their first drink of alcohol before turning 13 years old.
Additionally, Travis County reports that 71% of Texas teens have consumed alcohol at some point. The average age for the first time using alcohol is 13.
If you or someone you love needs drug and alcohol treatment for men, women or adolescents it’s important to seek the help of professionals. There are experts who are experienced at treating alcohol use disorder using evidence-based methods that lead to long-term sobriety.
For more information regarding alcohol rehab for men in Texas please contact Any Length Retreat for assistance.