Sherman-Denison, the Texoma twin cities, have gained the unfortunate distinction of being Texas’ “drunkest” city, according to a report by 24/7 Tempo, a financial news website. This is not the first time the Sherman-Denison metro area has been ranked high for alcohol consumption.
The report cites data from the 2022 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, revealing that 21.1% of adults in Sherman-Denison reported engaging in heavy or binge drinking. This percentage is higher than the national average of approximately 20%.
Binge Drinking vs. Heavy Drinking: Understanding the Numbers
It is important to differentiate between binge drinking and heavy drinking:
- Binge Drinking: Consuming a large amount of alcohol in a short period. For men, this typically means five or more drinks within two hours, and for women, four or more drinks within two hours.
- Heavy Drinking: Consuming a larger amount of alcohol overall. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, this means exceeding one drink per day for women or two drinks per day for men.
The 24/7 Tempo report combines these two categories to provide a snapshot of the overall drinking habits in Sherman-Denison.
Cause for Concern, But Not the Whole Story
While the high percentage of self-reported heavy or binge drinking is concerning, it’s worth noting that Sherman-Denison’s drunk driving fatalities are lower than the state average. Grayson County, which encompasses the Sherman-Denison area, has a rate of 23.6% for alcohol-related driving deaths, compared to the Texas average of 25.4%.
This suggests that residents may be indulging in heavy drinking at home or in controlled environments, highlighting the need for further investigation into the drinking culture of Sherman-Denison.
Conclusion
The title of Texas’ “drunkest” city is a concerning one for Sherman-Denison, especially given the higher-than-average rates of heavy and binge drinking reported by residents. However, the lower rates of alcohol-related driving fatalities suggest that there may be more to the story. Understanding the full context of alcohol consumption in this area is crucial for addressing and mitigating its impacts on the community.