The research, which is based on surveys of tens of thousands of Americans, found that binge drinking increased in more than a third of states and declined in only three states. The researchers defined binge drinking as consuming five or more alcoholic beverages in one sitting. Increases in binge drinking were found in the South and Midwest.

Wisconsin had the highest level of binge drinking in 1999, increasing to 19.6 percent from 16.4 percent in 1991. Illinois had the greatest increase, from 7.3 percent to 13.9 percent.

The study also found that more Americans are smoking, with smoking rates showing an increase in a third of states and a decline in just one state.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention based the research on random monthly state telephone surveys of adults aged 18 and over that were conducted from 1991 to 2000. The study's findings are published in the May 22 edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

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