CDC study shows majority of Americans who drink excessively are not alcoholics

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The Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention study found that nine out of 10 excessive drinkers are not actually dependent on alcohol
Researchers defined excessive drinking where men consume five or more drinks and women consume four or more within short period of time
Study found that 10 percent of people who drink excessively met clinical definition for alcohol dependence
Researchers gathered data from a three year survey distributed to more than 138K people across the country

Published: 15:58 EST, 23 September 2015 | Updated: 17:02 EST, 23 September 2015

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A new study has found that the vast majority of those individuals who drink excessively are not alcoholics.

According to new government data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nine out of 10 excessive drinkers are actually not dependent on alcohol.

The study, released on Wednesday,is one of the first national, multi-year looks at alcoholism among people who are considered excessive drinkers.

It debunks the assumption that most excessive drinkers are dependent and rely upon alcohol.

A CDC study has found that the vast majority of those individuals who drink excessively are not alcoholics

According to thegovernment data, nine out of 10 excessive drinkers are actually not dependent on alcohol

Researchers defined excessive drinking as binge drinking, where men consume roughly five or more drinks and women consume four or more within a short period of time.

About 10 percent of individuals who drink excessively also met the clinical definition for alcohol dependence, according to the study.

Author Bob Brewer, who leads the CDC's Alcohol Program in the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, says the takeaway is that the study shows combating excessive drinking as a public health problem needs to go beyond just focusing on alcoholism.

'Knowing that nine out of 10 people who drink too much are not alcohol dependent in no way diminishes the impact of alcohol dependence as a problem,' Brewer told the Washington Post.

'It just says the problem we're dealing with is bigger than that.

'We need to look at this problem with a wider-angle lens and consider not just treatment for those who need it.'

The findings from the study debunk the assumption that most excessive drinkers are dependent upon alcohol

He added that alcohol dependence is a 'medical problem' here and 'based on the consequences and the science and symptoms of someone's drinking behavior.'

Symptoms of alcohol dependence with some people are reported as withdrawal, unsuccessful attempts to cut down or stop drinking and continuing despite problems arising from drinking, the Post reported.

Only 3.5 percent of adults meet the clinical definition for alcohol dependence.

According to the study, excessive or binge drinking was found to be most common among men aged 18 to 24.

According to the study, excessive or binge drinking was found to be most common among men aged 18 to 24

It's more prevalent among people living in households with an annual income of $75,000 or more.

However, alcoholism was found to be most common among people who had family incomes of less than $25,000 and reported binge drinking 10 or more times in the past 30 days.

Researchers gathered the data from a three year National Survey on Drug use and Health that is distributed to 138,100 people across the country.

It asks questions about their drinking habits among other things.

Drinking excessively can cause serious health risks and is responsible for an average of 88,000 deaths every year.