How California Ranks Nationally In Alcohol Death Rate

CALIFORNIA — The new year is generally a time filled with more opportunity than usual to enjoy your drink of choice in California. With this time of year being particularly known for alcohol indulgence, it’s important to remember to partake responsibility in the activity and to stay wary of the dangers of drinking.

A well-established life expectancy website is home to a comprehensive ranking of the 50 states and Washington, D.C., according to their rates of alcohol-related deaths. The findings were based on information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

California finished 45th overall for alcohol-related deaths. In 2017, 2.0 people died due to alcohol-related incidents for every 100,000 people in our state.

Arkansas ranked as the state with lowest rate of alcohol-related deaths in the nation, with 1.5 deaths for every 100,000 residents. The bottom five were rounded out by Texas, Maryland, Louisiana and Alabama.

The CDC also provides examples of when drinking can be particularly dangerous, such as if you:

• Are recovering from alcoholism or are unable to control the amount you drink.
• May become pregnant or are pregnant.
• Plan to drive, operate machinery or take part in activities that require attention and coordination.
• Are taking prescription or over-the-counter medications that interact with alcohol.
• Have certain medical conditions.
• Are younger than 21.

Here are the top 10 states with the most alcohol-related deaths for every 100,000 residents:

1. New Mexico: 10.7
2. Montana: 6.9
3. Wyoming: 6.4
4. Oregon: 5.8
5. Colorado: 5.1
6. North Dakota: 5.0
7. Alaska: 4.7
8. Nevada: 4.6
9. West Virginia: 4.4
10. Arizona: 4.2