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Binge Drinking: A Widespread Problem That Can Kill!

Binge drinking, drinking several alcoholic beverages on a single occasion, which leads to a blood alcohol level equal to or over 0.08%, is commonly associated with college students. However, although binge-drinking is prevalent among  students, 70% of binge drinking incidents involve adults over the age of 25. According to the Centers for Desease Control and Prevention, binge drinkers are fourteen times more likely than non-binge drinkers to drive while being alcohol-impaired. The obvious outcome of this behavior is the increased risk of binge-drinkers getting into the traffic accidents and suffering and causing others to suffer serious injuries and possibly death.

Popular beliefs, although false, add to the pervasiveness of binge drinking. Many assume that drinking beer is less intoxicating than drinking other types of alcohol. However, one 12-ounce can of beer, one 4-ounce glass of wine or one normal mixed drink are all equally intoxicating. In addition, while eating prior to or during drinking will delay the absorption of alcohol, it will not prevent getting drunk. Also, cold showers or coffee will not sober one up. Alcohol will be eliminated from one's system only as time goes by: it will take at least one hour for your body to remove the alcohol in one drink from your system. Alcohol affects everyone differently, depending on one's metabolism, weight, and many other factors. Therefore, it may take less time to get drunk and more time to sober up for one person than the other.

Binge-drinking can kill: in addition to fatal accidents which are caused by drunk drivers, drinking excessive amount of alcohol causes alcohol poisoning, which may result in death. Other consequences of excessive long-term alcohol use are liver damage, certain cancers, and dementia.

For more information, please see:

Binge Drinkers Cannot Determine Their Ability to Drive Safely

Drinking and Drving Do Not Mix Well

http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/quickstats/binge_drinking.htm

http://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov