Binge Drinking
Cheyanne L. Cook
North Central Michigan College
Abstract:
This paper explores the topic of binge drinking. The main focal points that are included and expanded on are the definition of binge drinking, who’s doing it, why they’re doing it, what is it doing to them, and how we can stop it.
Keywords: Binge
What is binge drinking?
Binge drinking is the most common, costly, and deadly pattern of excessive alcohol use in the United States.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism External defines binge drinking as, “a pattern of drinking that brings a person’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08 grams percent or above.” This typically happens when men consume 5 or more drinks or women consume 4 or more drinks in about 2 hours.
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, a drink is classified under one the following conditions:
One 12-oz. beer
One 5-oz. glass of wine
One 1.5-oz. shot of distilled spirits
About 90% of the alcohol consumed by youth under the age of 21 in the United States is in the form of binge drinks. (DrugFreeWorld.org)
Who is binge drinking?
One in six US adults binge drinks about four times a month, consuming about seven drinks per binge. This results in 17 billion total binge drinks consumed by adults annually, or 467 binge drinks per binge drinker.
Binge drinking is most common among younger adults aged 18–34 years, but more than half of the total binge drinks are consumed by those aged 35 and older.
Binge drinking is twice as common among men than among women. Four in five total binge drinks are consumed by men.
Binge drinking is more common among people with household incomes of $75,000 or more and higher educational levels. Binge drinkers with lower incomes and educational levels, however, consume more binge drinks per year.
Over 90% of U.S. adults who drink excessively report binge drinking in the past 30 days. (CDC)
Most people who binge drink are not alcohol dependent. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Data sources: CDC. Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System and Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2015. (CDC)
What’s the cause?
As prevalent as binge drinking is in the U.S., you may find yourself wondering what causes play into taking part in something so dangerous with very little positive outcomes.
The Fun Factor:
The most common reason why people binge drink is because it is fun and allows them to “relax and let their hair down”. Alcohol allows people to let loose their inhibitions and to relieve the stresses and pressures of everyday life, whether it is is family, work or school related. Binge drinking is a very common occurrence in parties to the point where a party without any alcohol is deemed a disappointment. (oceanbreezerecovery.org)
The Need to Feel Socially Confident:
For those who are introverted and feel socially awkward, drinking alcohol allows them to loosen up and feel more at ease in social situations. Alcohol does allow people to feel more uninhibited, and many people young and old have admitted to indulging in excessive drinking to feel like they are part of the crowd, to feel desirable and sexy and to get out there and mix with others. (oceanbreezerecovery.org)
Wanting to Forget Problems:
As with all drugs, their abuse is seen as a symptom of deeper psychological issues. One of the most common reasons why people binge drink is to forget about their problems and to relieve the stress these problems cause. Although the act of binge drinking in order to let go of stress is a pretty common occurrence, doing so on a regular basis can make one susceptible to the pitfalls of alcohol abuse and lead them to start depending on the substance as their primary coping mechanism. (oceanbreezerecovery.org)
Peer Pressure:
Another common reason why people engage in binge drinking behavior–and especially for young drinkers–is due to the effects of peer pressure. Many high school and college-age people may drink excessively in order to feel like they fit into the social scene. By drinking to excess, young people may think they become more popular or desirable. (oceanbreezerecovery.org)
What are the side effects?
Binge drinking can have a very large range of side effects, some being more serious than others.
sudden but temporary side effects
Coordination problems
Dehydration
Nausea
Memory loss
Poor decision making
Shakiness (alcoholrehabguide.org)
harmful and long-lasting side effects
Brain damage
Liver disease
Stroke
Heart problems
Cancer
Infertility (alcoholrehabguide.org)
How do you stop binge drinking?
Change your environment: Think about where, when, and with whom you spend most of your time binge drinking. You may find it helpful to avoid certain bars or restaurants, and limit your time socializing with others who also engage in binge drinking. (www.recovery.org)
Weigh the pros and cons: Any time you try to change a bad habit, your motivation level is likely to vary over time. Keeping a list close by of the reasons why you want to stop binge drinking can keep you motivated to quit. (recovery)
Reward your accomplishments: Use positive reinforcement to reach your goal, such as doing something for yourself when you get through a period of time or special event without binge drinking. This reward will help keep you going and set new goals for yourself.(recovery)
Enlist family and friends: Support from your family and friends can help you to quit or cut down on your alcohol use. They can also provide praise and other rewards when you do well. (recovery)
Consider abstinence: Some people find that quitting alcohol altogether is more manageable than drinking occasionally. Self-help groups and alcohol rehab programs can also help you reach your abstinence goals. (recovery)
Set limits: If abstaining completely from alcohol does not feel right to you, try setting a limit on how much you drink. You might consider reducing the amount you drink, only drinking on certain days or during certain hours, or avoiding particular types of alcohol. (recovery)
Finding alternative, healthier ways of coping: Many binge drinkers find that alcohol allows them to cope with negative feelings, such as stress, depression, anxiety, and boredom. Replace alcohol with healthier options, such as exercise, self-care, sports, hobbies, and connecting with others. (recovery)
Attend a detox program: When a person who is physically dependent on alcohol attempts to quit, he or she may begin to experience withdrawal symptoms. Detoxing under the supervision of a detox program allows for withdrawal symptoms to be closely monitored and managed through medications, if necessary. (recovery)
Consider medication: In some cases, doctors may prescribe medications to ease withdrawal symptoms and manage cravings. (recovery)