(WWJ) -- New numbers show 1 in 10 Michiganders call themselves "heavyweights" when it comes to being able to handle their liquor.
A recent study from DrugAbuse.com says there are three distinct types of drinkers -- "heavyweights," who "can take shot after shot without even getting wobbly at the knees" while drinking; "moderate drinkers" who "are not quite as immune" to the effects of alcohol but can still "down a few beers" without slurring their words; and "lightweights," often a derogatory term for those who "can't handle" their alcohol.
They wanted to find out just how Americans classify themselves among these three categories, so they conducted a survey of 3,500 drinkers and asked them to assign themselves to one of those categories.
The results show about 1 in 10 Michiganders say they are "heavyweights." West Virginia and Delaware ranked among the states at the top of that list, with 1 in 3 saying they are "heavyweights."
On the other end of the spectrum, meanwhile, 86% of people in Maine and North Dakota consider themselves "lightweights."
Overall, about 10% of men feel being able to consume considerable amounts of alcohol is a sign of their masculinity.
The survey revealed about 27% of Americans say they bond more with other sizeable drinkers and 11% of "heavyweights" say they consume large amounts of alcohol during the week.
"It's also likely that drinking with others who consume similarly heavy volumes of alcohol can lead to excessive consumption due to factors like peer pressure and overall social atmosphere," DrugAbuse.com says. "If people are drinking around you, you may feel left out if you don't join in. In fact, a remarkable 81% of respondents say they're more likely to drink heavily when they're around drinking buddies, compared to drinking alone."
Anyone struggling with alcohol or drug abuse can find help through the American Addiction Centers and DrugAbuse.com.
