What is Binge Drinking and How Does It Relate to Alcoholism?

Binge drinking is when an individual takes several drinks of alcohol in close succession, typically five drinks for males and four drinks for females. Studies show that individuals who regularly participate in binge drinking may drink alcohol twice a week and may or may not be addicted to alcohol. The peak age to be involved in binge drinking according to statistics is in the range of age 18 to 22 typically the time when young people are in college. High school students have also been known to participate in binge drinking. Other statistics show that binge drinking may start as early as age 13.

There are many health and other dangers that can occur when an individual participates in binge drinking.

Health problems that can occur as a result of binge drinking include:

• Alcohol poisoning
• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome for those women who binge drink while pregnant
• High blood pressure, which may result in cardiovascular disease or stroke
• Injuries from falls, domestic abuse, intentional injuries and injuries sustained from use of firearms while drunk
• Liver disease
• Neurological damage caused by excessive alcohol consumption
• Sexually transmitted diseases as a result of risky behavior while intoxicated
• Unplanned pregnancies as a result of risky sexual behavior while drunk
• Perhaps the biggest danger individuals face when participating in binge drinking is that of alcohol poisoning. Alcohol poisoning is a serious health condition in which the blood alcohol concentration risks too high. Symptoms of alcohol poisoning include severe vomiting, depressed respirations, and seizures. Alcohol poisoning can rapidly lead to coma and death and anyone suffering from alcohol poisoning must be taken to an emergency room immediately or call 911 for quick medical assistance. Binge drinking is the most common cause of alcohol poisoning.

Scary statistics about binge drinking:

When young people become involved in binge drinking they have a higher risk of alcohol dependency (alcoholism). Statistics show that 25% of young people who begin drinking before age 17 succumb to the disease alcoholism.

42% of all college students report some frequency of binge drinking

Two-thirds of all alcohol consumed on college campuses are consumed by those participating in binge drinking

Most of the problems that college police deal with such as injuries, and vandalism involve binge drinking, up to 60% of all problems involving security or police on college campuses are involving those who have been binge drinking.

Reality:

There is a lot of pressure to drink on college campuses as a way of dealing with the pressures of college and because for some this is a first taste of freedom away from parental control.

Preventing those you care about from participating in binge drinking:

1. Reduce the access to alcohol to high school and college students and those aged 13 – 20.
2. Educate youth while in Jr. High (Middle school), High school and college about the dangers of binge drinking.
3. Educate parents about the dangers of binge drinking
4. Make available physician screening and counseling for alcohol related problems including binge drinking.

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