Alcohol has long been a part of social life in the United States. From celebratory champagne to casual beers over the weekend, drinking is woven into the fabric of American culture. But while moderate consumption may be normalized and even encouraged in certain settings, excessive alcohol use remains a critical public health concern. A new report by Drug Helpline reveals stark disparities in alcohol consumption across US states—highlighting regions with particularly high usage rates, and raising pressing questions about the health implications of these patterns.

Alcohol consumption in the US is both widespread and deeply ingrained. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), over 85% of adults have consumed alcohol at some point, and more than half of all adults report drinking in the past month. But it’s not just about frequency—binge drinking and high-intensity consumption have become alarmingly common.

Approximately 1 in 4 adults binge drink at least once a month, and those engaging in “high-intensity drinking” (twice the binge threshold) are 70 times more likely to need emergency healthcare. As a result, alcohol is responsible for nearly 1 in 5 ER visits and claims over 140,000 lives annually. The ripple effect isn’t just health-related—the economic cost of alcohol misuse was estimated at $249 billion in 2010, with 75% of that tied to binge drinking.

Why Where You Live Matters for Longevity?

While alcohol is accessible nationwide, some states drink far more than others. Geography influences access, social norms, climate, tourism, and legislation around alcohol—all of which affect consumption patterns.

1. New Hampshire

Despite being one of the smallest and least populated states, New Hampshire consistently tops the list for alcohol consumption. According to data from the NIAAA, residents consume more than 4 gallons of ethanol (pure alcohol) per capita annually—nearly double the national average.

One key reason is tax policy. New Hampshire has no sales tax and minimal excise taxes on alcohol, making it a magnet for out-of-state buyers from neighboring Massachusetts and Vermont. In fact, a significant chunk of alcohol sold in New Hampshire isn’t consumed by residents at all—but it still skews the per capita figures.

However, public health experts warn that easy access combined with low prices can still encourage higher in-state consumption, potentially contributing to increased alcohol-related harm over time.

2. Delaware

With a modest population of under a million, Delaware might seem like an unexpected entry on this list—but its residents drink over 3.5 gallons of alcohol per capita annually.

The state also has a high prevalence of binge drinking, particularly among young adults. Proximity to major urban centers like Philadelphia and Baltimore makes Delaware a hub for weekend tourism, which adds to local alcohol sales. Moreover, the state reports concerning rates of alcohol-related driving fatalities, signaling a growing need for intervention.

3. Nevada

Home to Las Vegas, Nevada’s position on this list comes as no surprise. The state’s vibrant nightlife, relaxed alcohol laws, and 24/7 availability contribute to an environment where drinking is not only accepted but encouraged.

But beyond the casinos and neon lights, Nevada faces real health consequences. High alcohol consumption is linked to above-average rates of alcohol-related deaths and emergency room visits. The state also struggles with alcohol use disorders (AUD), especially in its more remote rural areas where access to treatment is limited.

4. North Dakota

In North Dakota, the long winters and sparse population have contributed to a drinking culture that’s rooted in social tradition. Whether it’s beer at a hockey game or whiskey on a snowy evening, alcohol is often part of community gatherings.

Yet, this culture comes at a cost. North Dakota sees elevated rates of binge drinking, especially among college-age individuals. The state also experiences higher-than-average alcohol-impaired driving deaths, and its rural setting complicates access to mental health and substance abuse services.

5. Montana

Rounding out the top five is Montana, a state known for its natural beauty—and, increasingly, its high rates of alcohol consumption. Like North Dakota, Montana’s rural landscape and weather conditions may play a role in shaping drinking behaviors.

Montana’s per capita alcohol consumption exceeds 3 gallons annually, and the state records frequent alcohol-related fatalities, both on and off the road. Its widespread rural communities often lack the healthcare infrastructure needed to support those with alcohol use disorders, creating a silent public health burden.

It’s easy to reduce alcohol consumption statistics to curiosities or state pride, but these figures reflect broader health, social, and economic challenges. States that rank highest in alcohol consumption are also more likely to face:

• Higher rates of liver disease, certain cancers, and heart conditions
• Increased emergency department visits
• A heavier economic burden on healthcare systems
• Strained family and workplace dynamics

Public health experts continue to call for greater awareness, better alcohol education, and increased access to treatment for alcohol use disorder, especially in high-consumption states.

The numbers don’t lie—America has a drinking problem, and where you live can influence just how serious that problem is. While some states are beginning to roll out initiatives aimed at responsible drinking, there's a long way to go in addressing the deeper health crisis at play.

Many people have a one-dimensional view of their health, ‘if I eat healthy I don’t have to exercise as much’ or ‘since I exercise a lot, I can eat whatever I want’ but it doesn’t work like that. Everything we do and all the organs in our body are interdependent. So which body part does our heart depend on?

Most people only think about their main heart when they consider blood circulation, but there's a lesser-known helper: your calf muscles. These muscles, located in the back of your lower legs, act like a "second heart."

In a recent post, dietician Ms Manpreet Kalra, explained how important calf muscles are to our heart health.

She explained that when you walk, run, or simply move your ankles, your calf muscles squeeze. This squeezing action pushes the blood that has collected in your lower legs and feet back up towards your main heart and the rest of your body. It's a vital part of healthy circulation, preventing blood from just pooling in your legs due to gravity.

The Danger of Sitting Still

If you spend long hours sitting down—whether at a desk, on a plane, or watching TV—you essentially "shut down" your second heart. When your calf muscles aren't moving, they stop doing their job of pumping blood back up. This lack of movement leads to several problems:

Poor Circulation

When your calf muscles are inactive, they stop pumping, causing blood to start pooling in your lower legs and feet. Gravity takes over, meaning the blood has a hard time making the trip back up to your heart, slowing everything down.

Swelling and Fatigue

As blood and fluids linger in your legs, you might notice they feel heavy, tired, or appear visibly swollen. This feeling of dragging your feet is a direct result of your calves not properly assisting your body’s circulatory system.

Toxin Buildup

Normally, your blood removes waste, but when it slows down, toxins build up in your inactive muscles. These waste products are not cleaned out efficiently, which can contribute to muscle discomfort and general poor health over time.

Increased Risk of Blood Clots

The biggest danger is an increased risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), which is when a blood clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the legs. These clots can be very dangerous if they break loose and travel to the lungs.

Simple Ways to Activate Your "Second Heart"

The good news is that keeping your calf muscles active is easy and requires only small changes to your daily routine. Movement is the key to keeping your circulation flowing and your heart safe. Here are simple actions you can take:

Move Regularly

Try to walk or stretch for a few minutes every 45 to 60 minutes if you have a desk job. Even standing up and sitting down a few times helps.

Do Calf Raises

While standing, rise up onto your toes and then lower your heels back down. Doing this simple exercise daily—even while brushing your teeth—is great for strengthening and activating your calves.

Change Positions

Avoid sitting with your legs crossed for long periods, as this can squeeze veins and restrict blood flow.

By taking care of your calves, you're not just taking care of your legs—you're helping your whole circulatory system and protecting your main heart!

Dementia is more common than you think. According to the Alzheimer’s Disease International, there were over 55 million people in the world living with dementia in 2020. According to the organization, this number is said to double every year for 20 years, and this number is said to reach 78 million in 2030.

There are many different types of dementia, one of which is Alzheimer’s disease. It is the most common form of dementia. While there is no cure for dementia, catching it early can help people manage the condition. But with the vague symptoms of Alzheimer’s, early diagnosis is difficult.

Researchers have found a possible new sign of Alzheimer's disease that could show up incredibly early, which is poor spatial navigation. Think of spatial navigation as your brain's ability to figure out where you are and how to get where you're going, your internal GPS.

This difficulty could appear up to 25 years before the more commonly known symptoms, like losing your memory. Finding a warning sign this early is a huge step because getting a diagnosis sooner is vital for beginning treatment and for scientists working to find ways to prevent the disease.

What Does Knowing Your Surrounding Mean?

A team of scientists from the University College London (UCL) conducted a study to look for these early signs. They worked with around 100 people between the ages of 43 and 66. These people were chosen because they had a higher risk of getting Alzheimer's later in life. This risk was due to things like having a family member with the disease, carrying a specific gene (called the APOE-ε4 allele) linked to higher risk, or having risk factors in their lifestyle.

An important point to note was that every single person in the study showed no signs of Alzheimer's, they were perfectly healthy and were about 25 years younger than the age doctors would typically expect dementia to start for them.

To test their navigation skills, the participants put on virtual reality (VR) headsets and were asked to find their way around a computer-generated environment. The results showed that the people who were at higher risk for Alzheimer's had a much harder time completing the VR navigation task. They essentially got lost or struggled more to find their way.

Early Sign Of Alzheimer’s Disease

Importantly, these same people did just fine on other types of tests, including those that check memory. This suggests that having trouble with spatial navigation could be one of the very first things to go wrong in the brain, years or even decades before you start forgetting things.

The experts said that this change might be the earliest possible signal that someone is starting to move from being healthy to showing the first signs of the disease. The researchers are now planning to turn this VR test into a tool that doctors could use to help diagnose the disease earlier.

explained that these findings are exciting for two main reasons. First, they allow doctors to spot the start of Alzheimer's much sooner, which is critical for making treatments work better. Second, the VR test is based on how special cells in the brain in an area called the temporal lobe handle space and location.

This means the test helps connect the dots between tiny changes in the brain's cells and the actual symptoms people experience. This connection is a huge barrier in current Alzheimer's research.

The study also noticed that men showed a bigger drop in their spatial navigation skills than women did. This suggests that more research is needed to understand why men and women might be affected differently by Alzheimer's.

The Alzheimer's Society agreed, emphasizing that early and accurate diagnosis is essential, and this study clearly shows that problems with navigation could be one of the very first signs to watch out for.

So far, we know the 6-6-6 rule for walking, but there is something new for eye health too. It is called the 20-20-20 rule. In our day to day lives, our screen time has increased, in fact, screens have become an integral part of our life, which means we must take extra care of our eye health and this 20-20-20 rule will help you.

What Is 20-20-20 Rule?

This rule says that for every 20 minute that you spend on looking at the screen, you must take a 20 second break to look at something 20 feet away.

While you won't know how far is 20 feet from your desk, the key is not to actually stand 20 feet apart, but to take a break from your screen and be far from it, especially if you have a smaller work space and don't have the time to roam around.

You can set an alarm every 20 minutes to remind yourself for a well deserving break that you deserve.

Is the 20-20-20 Rule Supported By Research?

The American Academy of Ophthalmology says that looking at digital devices won't necessarily damage your eyesight, but it can cause strain and unpleasant symptoms. Humans usually blink around 15 times each minute, and when we stare at our screens, the frequency decreases half or a third. This is why our eyes feel dry, irritated, and we feel that our eyes are getting tired.

What Happens When You Strain Your Eye?

If you have an eyestrain, you may experience pain, tiredness, itching, burning of your eyes. Furthermore, you may experience these following symptoms:

• dry eyes
• watery eyes
• blurred vision
• double vision
• headaches
• soreness in the neck, shoulders, or back
• sensitivity to light
• difficulty concentrating
• difficulty keeping eyes open

What Can You Do To Avoid Straining Your Eyes?

Maintain proper distance: Sit about 25 inches (roughly an arm’s length) away from your screen and position it slightly below eye level.

Cut the glare: Use a matte screen filter or adjust your lighting to reduce reflections.

Take regular breaks: Follow the 20-20-20 rule — every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.

Keep your eyes moist: Use over-the-counter lubricating eye drops and consider a humidifier if the air feels dry.

Blink more often: Frequent blinking helps keep your eyes naturally lubricated.

Adjust brightness: Match your screen’s brightness to the surrounding light to minimize strain.

Clean your screens: Dust and fingerprints can make it harder to see and increase eye fatigue — wipe them regularly.

Give contacts a rest: Alternate between contact lenses and glasses to reduce dryness and irritation.

Follow lens hygiene: Always wash your hands before handling contacts and avoid sleeping in them to prevent infections.