Six Americans die each day of alcohol poisoning, according to CDC

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Alcohol poisoning has been the cause of death for more than 2,200 people in the U.S every year, with a majority of the casualties being middle aged men according to a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The results of the study would contradict popular belief that the younger age group (teens to early 20s) are more likely to die from alcohol poisoning as a result of binge drinking as three out of four of those who died were between the ages of 35 and 64, according to the study. Men and non-Hispanic whites have the higher number of deaths from binge drinking, which is characterized as having consumed four or more drinks for women, or five or more drinks for men on a single occasion.

American Indians/Alaska Natives have the most alcohol poisoning deaths per million people, the federal study said.

Dr. Robert Brewer, CDC Alcohol Program Lead and report coauthor said, "This study shows that alcohol poisoning deaths are not just a problem among young people."

Death by alcohol poisoning results when very high levels of alcohol gets into the body after drinking a large amount of alcohol in a short period of time, according to the CDC. "This can result, which can shutdown critical areas of the brain that control breathing, heart rate, and body temperature - resulting in death,"  according to a release from CDC.

"The study also emphasizes the importance of taking a comprehensive approach to reducing binge drinking that includes evidence-based community strategies, screening and counseling in healthcare settings, and high-quality substance abuse treatment for those who need it," Brewer explained.

The study made use of data from the National Vital Statistics System and analyzed the recorded deaths from alcohol poisoning from 2010 to 2012 of people aged 15 years and older.

The country has a reported 38 million plus U.S. adults who binge drink.

The study found that alcohol poisoning kills an average of six people each day in the U.S.

The death rates varied widely across states. Alaska, for instance, has 46.5 deaths per million residents, while Alabama has 5.3 per million residents. States with the highest death rates were in the Great Plains, western United States, and New England, according to the study.

"Alcohol poisoning deaths are a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers of excessive alcohol use, which is a leading cause of preventable deaths in the U.S." according to CDC Principal Deputy Director Ileana Arias, Ph.D. "We need to implement effective programs and policies to prevent binge drinking and the many health and social harms that are related to it, including deaths from alcohol poisoning."