NRFC 

Quick Statistics 

2007 

National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse  101 Lake Forest Boulevard, Suite 360  Gaithersburg, MD 20877 

 Toll-free: 1 (877) 4DAD411  Fax: (301) 948-4325  www.fatherhood.gov 

Fathers and Alcohol Abuse

Percentage of Males and Females Age 12 and Over Reporting Binge Drinking* 

in the Past 30 Days, 1979-2000 

Year Males Females 

1979 27.6% 7.9% 

1985 30.3% 9.2% 

1990 21.3% 6.9% 

1995 23.8% 8.5% 

2000 26.9% 12.6% 

Source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 1979-2000 

Binge drinking is defined by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism 

as having five or more drinks in the same occasion. 

• The percentage of males reporting binge drinking over the past 30 days decreased 

through the late 1980s and increased through the 1990s. The percentage reporting 

binge drinking in 2000 (26.9 percent) differs very little from 1979 (27.6 percent). 

• Males were consistently far more likely to engage in binge drinking than females during 

this period. 

Percentage of Males and Females Age 12 and Over Reporting Binge Drinking* in the Past 

30 Days, by Parental Status, 2005 

Nonparents Parents 

Males 28.2% 32.2% 

Females 13.6% 16.1% 

Source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2005 

Binge drinking is defined by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism 

as having five or more drinks in the same occasion. 

• For both parents and nonparents, males have higher proportions of reported binge 

drinking in the past 30 days than females. 

• About one in three fathers (32.2 percent) report binge drinking in the past 30 days as 

compared to only about one in six mothers (16.1 percent). 
 

NRFC Quick Statistics 

Fathers and Alcohol Abuse 

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Percentage of Males Age 12 and Over Reporting Binge Drinking* in the Past 30 Days, 

by Age, 2005 

Age Non-fathers Fathers 

12-17 years 9.6% 0.0% 

18-25 years 50.4% 45.5% 

26-34 years 47.0% 39.8% 

35+ years 22.7% 28.7% 

Source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2005 

Binge drinking is defined by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism 

as having five or more drinks in the same occasion. 

• Fathers and non-fathers age 18 to 25 had the highest percentage of engagement in 

binge drinking over the past 30 days (50.4 percent and 45.5 percent respectively) 

compared with other age groups. 

• Non-fathers and fathers ages 12 to 17 years of age had the lowest proportion of 

engagement in binge drinking. 

• Fathers 35 years of age and older were slightly more likely than non-fathers to report 

binge drinking in the past 30 days (28.7 percent vs. 22.7 percent). 

Percentage of Males Reporting Binge Drinking* in the Past 30 Days, 

by Income Level, 2005 

Family Income Non-fathers Fathers 

Less than 

$20,000 28.8% 30.2% 

$20,000-49,999 29.2% 36.5% 

$50,000-74,999 26.5% 30.5% 

$75,000+ 27.6% 30.6% 

Source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2005 

* Binge drinking is defined by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism as having five or more drinks in the same

occasion. 

• Across income levels, fathers appear slightly more likely than non-fathers to participate 

in binge drinking. At each income level more than 3 in 10 fathers report binge drinking in 

the past 30 days. 

• Fathers at an income level of $20,000 to $49,999 have the highest reported binge 

drinking engagement in the past 30 days (36.5 percent). 
 

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Fathers and Alcohol Abuse 

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Percentage of Males Age 12 and Over Reporting Binge Drinking* in the Past 30 Days, by 

Marital Status, 2005 

Marital Status Non-fathers Fathers 

Married 20.1% 30.5% 

Divorced/ 

Separated 35.6% 37.4% 

Never Married 45.5% 46.6% 

Source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2005 

Binge drinking is defined by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism 

as having five or more drinks in the same occasion. 

• Never married fathers and non-fathers have higher rates of reported binge drinking in 

the past 30 days than with males of other marital statuses. 

• A higher proportion of married fathers report binge drinking as compared to married nonfathers (30.5 percent of fathers compared with 20.1 percent of non-fathers). 

Percentage of Males Age 12 and Over Reporting Binge Drinking* in the Past 30 Days, by 

Employment Status, 2005 

Employment 

Status Non-fathers Fathers 

Employed 35.1% 32.4% 

Not Employed** 20.1% 29.6% 

Source: National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2005 

Binge drinking is defined by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism 

as having five or more drinks in the same occasion. 

**Does not include students 

• Among fathers, rates of binge drinking varied little between employed and not employed 

(32.4 percent compared with 29.6 percent).