Binge drinking is a term used to describe excessive episodic drinking. The drinking episode usually last for a few hours. A binge drinker's aim is to get drunk by rapidly consuming alcohol in that short duration of time. Binge drinking is sometimes considered as subjective because it depends on the person's capacity for alcohol and because of cultural activities which involve drinking alcohol.
In contrast to popular belief, binge drinking is not alcoholism. However, binge drinkers are at risk of becoming alcoholics once their binge drinking becomes uncontrollable and regular. Another popular misconception is that binge drinking is the same as social drinking. There is a very thin line between the two. The factor that defines that line is the fact that social drinkers do not aim to get drunk. If social drinkers get drunk, it is because they enjoyed the company of others. In addition to that, binge drinkers do not need anyone's company to drink.
Binge drinking is more common in men than in women. A man is considered binge drinking when he has already consumed 8 units of alcohol in a short period of time. A woman is considered binge drinking on her 6th unit or her 2nd glass of wine. Binge drinkers usually fall under the 16 to 24 year old age bracket. Most likely, college students and people who are fairly new in their career binge drink. It has been well documented over the years about Fraternity parties that go awry because members have been forced to quickly drink to excess as part of the hazing ritual. In recent years, college campuses have begun to close down Frat houses that have encouraged this type of partying. A comprensive 16 hour drug alcohol class is highly recommended.
There have been studies regarding racial factors to binge drinking as well. The race that is most likely to binge drink are Hispanics, followed by Caucasians. African Americans are somewhere in between while Asians are the least likely to binge drink. Science explains that the ALDH2-Chromosome 12 present in Asians' genes is the cause of slow alcohol metabolism.
Satoshi Kanawaza of "The Scientific Fundamentalist" published research by the National Child Development Study in UK last 2011 regarding binge drinking. He said that intelligent people are more likely to develop the habit of binge drinking than less intelligent individuals. However, education has nothing to do with results. The consequences of binge drinking are dire.
A binge drinker's mental and physical health is at risk. Mood and memory is affected. If binge drinking continues, the problems with mood and memory could be difficult to reverse. It should be clear that binge drinking is not a “cool” game to play at a party, it can lead to alcohol poisoning and death. People who binge drink as a mechanism to control depression are most likely to self harm. Furthermore, it leads to anti-social behavior which is violent and aggressive. Alcohol is a big factor in street crimes, from sexual offenses to burglaries.
In conclusion, if you, or someone you know, has been binge drinking, seek professional help right away before the repercussions become deadly. It's imperative to know that binge drinking is easy to eliminate as long as there is a strong support system. One way to start the conversation with someone who is binge drinking, or to educate your children prior to going off to college is by taking online alcohol and drug awareness classes. These classes are easy to take in the comfort of your own home and will teach why and how to avoid alcohol and drug abuse and are often taken as dui classes.