Binge drinking, the heavy consumption of alcohol -- five or more drinks on a single occasion for men or four or more for women -- over a short period of time, has become a popular recreational activity in Connecticut. In fact, Connecticut is rated sixth in binge drinking rates among states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The behavior, generally more common among more young males than other segments of the population, is not surprising, but it is deadly. CDC reports that binge-drinking is responsible for more than 79,000 deaths in the U.S. each year, but the data also shows rates varying widely from state to state. In Connecticut, 19 percent of adults reported binge-drinking in 2009, says the CDC.

How many drinks do you average over a dinner out at a restaurant – or at a party? Let me know, at .