What is binge drinking?

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines binge drinking as a pattern of behavior that results in a frequent blood-alcohol content of .08 or above. For adult women, this is four or more drinks over two hours, and for adult men, this is usually about five or more drinks consumed in two hours.

College students are most closely associated with alcohol abuse in the United States. Policy and community factors that increase college binge drinking habits include low prices and easy accessibility of alcohol, and colleges with less restrictive alcohol policies. Many colleges have instituted programs to combat the belief that binge drinking is a normal and expected part of the college experience.

Extent

Binge drinking can be found at all colleges across the nation. A 2008 study by the Harvard Public Health College found 44 percent of students in four-year colleges drink at a binge level or higher. A national study with 10.8 million participants conducted in 2005 found 7.2 million of people in the 12-to-20 age group were binge drinkers. Although it is commonly thought that binge drinkers are mostly college students, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that 70 percent of binge drinking involves people 26 years or older.

Impact

Binge drinking has a negative impact on college students. Binge drinkers are more likely to miss classes, break the law, be injured, have unplanned sex without protection and get behind on schoolwork. Binge drinkers are also much more likely to get behind the wheel of a car while intoxicated, endangering the lives of others. About 1,700 students die annually from alcohol-related injuries, according to a study by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Schools that have high rates of binge drinking have lower retention and graduation rates as well. Long-term binge drinking may lead to alcohol dependence and addiction.

Solace Counseling can help with alcohol abuse issues, including binge drinking. Look on Facebook and Twitter for more information.