A new study of the nation’s drinking habits recently revealed that more Americans of legal age are drinking alcohol. This newest trend appears to be consistent across the board for all major ethnic groups and genders.

The study found that between 1992 and 2002, the percentages of men and women of Caucasian, Hispanic, and African American descent who drank alcohol increased. Despite increased rates of drinking, Americans don’t seem to be drinking more as evidenced by the consistency of drinks consumed per month.

“More people are drinking, but they seem to not be drinking heavily as frequently,” says Rhonda Jones-Webb, an epidemiologist and alcohol expert at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, in Minneapolis.

But one interesting exception remains; a slight increase in the number of people who binge drink at least once a month. In other words, more people are partaking in five or more drinks per day.

“We need to address this increase, which may be associated with alcohol abuse,” says Dr. Deborah Dawson, Ph.D., a staff scientist at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, in Bethesda, Maryland. “We may need to focus our attention on preventive measures that target binge drinking.”

Because the study doesn’t include data after 2002, the rates of binge drinking and drinking in general are probably even higher now. The past two years has been wrecked with economic troubles and unemployment, often associated with stress and alcohol use.

Jones-Webb addresses this possibility by confirming that “it could be the case” that Americans are drinking to alleviate financial stress.

“It would be good to replicate the same study over the last eight years and see if the findings are similar.” – Jones-Webb

While it remains unclear as to why there’s a rise in the proportion of drinkers and in binge drinking, it could be due to recent societal acceptance of alcohol consumption.

“There has been much emphasis on drug education and treatment but not as much emphasis on alcohol misuse, which could signal a change in norms and explain the increase in the prevalence of drinkers,” says Dr. Stephen Bahr, Ph.D., a professor of sociology at Brigham Young University, in Provo, Utah.

The study serves as a nice snapshot of the social climate regarding drinking in the United States.