Binge drinking refers to the heavy consumption of alcohol over a short period of time. In the United States, binge drinking is defined as consuming five or more drinks in a row for men, or four or more drinks in a row for women. A person is considered a heavy binge drinker if they have three or more binge drinking episodes within a two week span. KidsHealth: [1] Binge drinking can develop into a harmful pattern with negative outcomes, such as: drunk driving, accidents, injuries, and the increased health risks of stroke, heart disease, alcohol poisoning and neurological problems. Social consequences for binge drinking can include missing work or classes, impaired performance and unprotected or unsafe sex.KidsHealth: Binge Drinking
Health Risks
Defined by Country
Disclaimer
The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you are binge drinking, please consult your doctor.
Featured Video
This video contains health information only, not medical advice.
The College Health Guru discusses binge drinking. He says it has become a common experience on college campuses. Watch this to see if you are a binge drinker? Find out what can you do about it?
References
Fast Facts
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Fact:
75% of drinks consumed by adults are part of a binge drinking episode
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Fact:
Binge drinkers are 14 times more likely to report alcohol-impaired driving than non-binge drinkers.
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Fact:
Can lead to alcohol dependence
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Fact:
Most binge drinkers are not alcohol dependent
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Fact:
The proportion of current drinkers that binge is highest in the 18- to 20-year-old group (51%).
