This Is the State That Drinks the Most Alcohol, According to Data
Here's how much booze is being consumed where you live.
Whether it's raising a glass during a celebration or simply unwinding after a long day, alcohol is a part of everyday life for millions of Americans. Unfortunately, even though having a few drinks now and then might feel harmless, science has shown us that there are definitely consequences to overindulging: According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), excessive alcohol consumption is responsible for about 95,000 deaths a year in the United States. But data shows there can be a big difference between each state and how much alcohol is typically consumed.
A study released by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism found that a total of 7.8 billion gallons of alcohol were consumed by Americans in 2018. This brought the national per capita consumption to 2.35 gallons per person—or about 501 drinks each year—with an overall breakdown of 570 million gallons of hard liquor, 900 million gallons of wine, and 6.3 billion gallons of beer.
Data from the study show that while per capita alcohol consumption is still below the peak that was reached during the early '80s, levels have been slowly rising for nearly two decades. And while it might seem like diseases such as alcoholism could be responsible for the increase, CDC data finds that nine out of 10 adults of the 37 million who binge drink each week—which is defined as consuming four or more drinks on an occasion for a woman or five or more for a man—do not have an alcohol use disorder.
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism's 2018 study, there's a good chance how much you drink could be affected by whether you live in Maine or Montana. Read on to see how much alcohol your home state drinks each year per person, and which one takes down the most drinks overall.
RELATED: This Is the Most Dangerous State in America.
50
Utah
![cityscape photo of Salt Lake City, Utah at dusk](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/salt-lake-city-utah.jpg)
Average annual amount of alcohol per person: 1.35 gallons
49
West Virginia
![cityscape photo of Charleston, West Virginia](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/charleson-west-virginia.jpg)
Average annual amount of alcohol per person: 1.74 gallons
48
Arkansas
![The skyline of Little Rock, Arkansas at dawn](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/06/little-rock-arkansas-skyline-covid-surges.jpg)
Average annual amount of alcohol per person: 1.78 gallons
47
Oklahoma
![The skyline of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/04/oklahoma-city-skyline-covid-cases-surge.jpg)
Average annual amount of alcohol per person: 1.85 gallons
46
Georgia
![Atlanta Georgia at sunset](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/08/Atlanta-Georgia.jpg)
Average annual amount of alcohol per person: 1.9 gallons
45
Kansas
![cityscape photo of Wichita, Kansas at dusk](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/wichita-kansas.jpg)
Average annual amount of alcohol per person: 1.92 gallons
44
Kentucky
![louisville kentucky skyline](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/shutterstock_764397808.jpg)
Average annual amount of alcohol per person: 1.95 gallons
43
Alabama
![The skyline of Mobile, Alabama at dusk](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/05/mobile-alabama-skyline-covid-cases-rising.jpg)
Average annual amount of alcohol per person: 1.99 gallons
42
Ohio
![city skyline of Cincinnati, Ohio at dusk](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/cincinnati-ohio.jpg)
Average annual amount of alcohol per person: 2.03 gallons
41
Maryland
![the Baltimore skyline and Inner Harbor Promenade in Baltimore, Maryland](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/baltimore-maryland.jpg)
Average annual amount of alcohol per person: 2.08 gallons
40
Virginia
![The skyline of Richmond, Virginia at sunset.](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/12/richmond-virginia-skyline-coronavirus-lockdown.jpg)
Average annual amount of alcohol per person: 2.13 gallons
39
Tennessee
![nashville tennessee](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/shutterstock_518799697.jpg)
Average annual amount of alcohol per person: 2.14 gallons
38
Indiana
![cityscape photo of Indianapolis, Indiana at night](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/indianapolis-indiana-1.jpg)
Average annual amount of alcohol per person: 2.15 gallons
37
Nebraska
![omaha nebraska](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/shutterstock_1205655229.jpg)
Average annual amount of alcohol per person: 2.16 gallons
36
South Carolina
![downtown area of Charleston, South Carolina in the afternoon](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/charleston-south-carolina.jpg)
Average annual amount of alcohol per person: 2.16 gallons
35
Mississippi
![Jackson, Mississippi, USA cityscape at dusk.](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/05/jackson-mississippi-vaccination-cases.jpg)
Average annual amount of alcohol per person: 2.17 gallons
34
North Carolina
![The skyline of Charlotte, North Carolina with fall foliage in the foreground](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/01/charlotte-north-carolina-skyline-covid-cases-rising-e1611753795106.jpg)
Average annual amount of alcohol per person: 2.17 gallons
33
New York
![cityscape photo of buildings and the skyline in New York City, New York](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/new-york-new-york-1.jpg)
Average annual amount of alcohol per person: 2.21 gallons
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32
Washington
![Seattle, Washington](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/02/seattle-washington.jpg)
Average annual amount of alcohol per person: 2.22 gallons
31
Arizona
![Phoenix, Arizona](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/01/phoenix-arizona-skyline-worst-covid-surge-world.jpg)
Average annual amount of alcohol per person: 2.25 gallons
30
Texas
![city skyline of Austin, Texas at sunset](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/austin-texas-1.jpg)
Average annual amount of alcohol per person: 2.26 gallons
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29
New Mexico
![cityscape photo of Santa Fe, New Mexico at dusk](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/Santa-Fe-New-Mexico.jpg)
Average annual amount of alcohol per person: 2.26 gallons
28
Pennsylvania
![philadelphia pennsylvania](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/shutterstock_1659127072.jpg)
Average annual amount of alcohol per person: 2.34 gallons
27
Michigan
![The skyline of Detroit, Michigan as seen from Lake Michigan](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/03/skyline-detroit-michigan-covid-surges-march-30.jpg)
Average annual amount of alcohol per person: 2.36 gallons
26
New Jersey
![New Jersey, Jersey City skyline](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/nj-city.jpg)
Average annual amount of alcohol per person: 2.36 gallons
RELATED: This Is the Most Dangerous City in America.
25
South Dakota
![mount rushmore, presidents, rock, south dakota](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/04/mount-rushmore-south-dakota.jpg)
Average annual amount of alcohol per person: 2.37 gallons
24
Illinois
![Illinois](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/08/illinois.jpg)
Average annual amount of alcohol per person: 2.39 gallons
23
Iowa
![cityscape photo of buildings, a street, and statue from behind in downtown Des Moines, Iowa at dusk](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/des-moines-iowa-1.jpg)
Average annual amount of alcohol per person: 2.39 gallons
22
Connecticut
![hartford connecticut skyline](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/08/shutterstock_152247614.jpg)
Average annual amount of alcohol per person: 2.4 gallons
21
California
![The skyline of Los Angeles, California at sunset.](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/12/los-angeles-skyline-sunset-worst-covid-surge-california.jpg)
Average annual amount of alcohol per person: 2.49 gallons
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20
Missouri
![city skyline and Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/st.louis-missouri.jpg)
Average annual amount of alcohol per person: 2.51 gallons
19
Louisiana
![cityscape photos of bars and restaurants on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, Louisiana at twilight](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/new-orleans-louisianna.jpg)
Average annual amount of alcohol per person: 2.55 gallons
18
Massachusetts
![Massachusetts](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/08/mass.jpg)
Average annual amount of alcohol per person: 2.55 gallons
17
Florida
![cityscape photo of a roundabout and buildings in Tampa, Florida at sunset](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/tampa-florida.jpg)
Average annual amount of alcohol per person: 2.61 gallons
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16
Rhode Island
![The skyline of Providence, Rhode Island from the water at dusk](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/02/providence-rhode-island-skyline-vaccine-limited.jpg)
Average annual amount of alcohol per person: 2.63 gallons
15
Hawaii
![Hawaii](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/hi.jpg)
Average annual amount of alcohol per person: 2.66 gallons
14
Oregon
![The skyline of Portland, Oregon at dusk](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/02/skyline-portland-oregon-states-cases-rising.jpg)
Average annual amount of alcohol per person: 2.74 gallons
13
Wyoming
![moulton barn at the grand teton national park in wyoming](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/08/shutterstock_718546417.jpg)
Average annual amount of alcohol per person: 2.78 gallons
12
Minnesota
![Minnesota](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/minnesota.jpg)
Average annual amount of alcohol per person: 2.79 gallons
Maine
![townhouses and building behind a lake in Portland, Maine](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/portland-maine.jpg)
Average annual amount of alcohol per person: 2.85 gallons
10
Alaska
![Anchorage Skyline with a winter reflection](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/03/anchorage-alaska.jpg)
Average annual amount of alcohol per person: 2.85 gallons
9
Colorado
![skyline of denver colorado](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/05/shutterstock_635414480.jpg)
Average annual amount of alcohol per person: 2.88 gallons
RELATED: This Is the Most Hateful State in America.
8
Wisconsin
![The skyline of Milwaukee, Wisconsin at sunset](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/downtown-milwuakee-wisconsin-coronavirus-record-breaking.jpg)
Average annual amount of alcohol per person: 2.93 gallons
7
Idaho
![cityscape photo of downtown Bosie, Idaho](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/01/boise-idaho.jpg)
Average annual amount of alcohol per person: 2.94 gallons
6
Vermont
![An aerial view of Montpelier, Vermont](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/03/skyline-montpelier-vermont-states-covid-rising.jpg)
Average annual amount of alcohol per person: 3.06 gallons
5
Montana
![photo take by a drone of the Montana State Capitol in Helena, Montana](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/helena-montana.jpg)
Average annual amount of alcohol per person: 3.1 gallons
4
North Dakota
![cityscape photo Fargo, North Dakota in the afternoon](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/Fargo-North-Dakota.jpg)
Average annual amount of alcohol per person: 3.16 gallons
3
Nevada
![cityscape photo of the Strip in Las Vegas, Nevada at dusk](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/las-vegas-nevada.jpg)
Average annual amount of alcohol per person: 3.42 gallons
2
Delaware
![cityscape photo of Wilmington, Delaware](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/wilmington-delaware.jpg)
Average annual amount of alcohol per person: 3.52 gallons
1
New Hampshire
![townscape photo of Portsmouth, New Hampshire at sunset](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/Portsmouth-New-Hampshire.jpg)
Average annual amount of alcohol per person: 4.67 gallons