5 States with the Highest Rates of Binge Drinking in the US

2. Montana

Prevalence of Binge Drinking in 2021: 22.9%

Alcohol consumption in Montana has increased significantly over the last three decades, from a low of just under 2.8 gallons per capita in 1996 to 3.34 gallons per capita in 2021, an increase of 19.2%. However, the silver lining is that alcohol consumption by the Montana youth has fallen significantly over the last decade. In 2011, around 39% of the state’s high school students reported drinking alcohol within the past 30 days. In 2021, this figure had already dropped to 21%.

Montana is one of the very few states that don’t allow the retail sale of distilled spirits on Sundays. However, the Montana House of Representatives passed a bill in April 2023 that would allow sales of distilled spirits products from state agency liquor stores on Sundays and Mondays.