Binge Drinking What is it? Drinking 5 (4 for women) or more drinks in a row, on any one occasion.

What is binge drinking? High-risk drinking? Excessive drinking? Abusive drinking? Problem drinking? Heavy episodic drinking? It’s all the same phenomenon. In numbers, it’s 5 or more drinks for men, 4 or more drinks for women (based on the Five/Four Measure) in any one "occasion". Occasion being defined by an evening, an afternoon, or more obviously, a morning (particularly if your morning starts at noon).

Facts About Binge Drinking In 2000, 7 million people ages report binge drinking. 1 in 5 people under the legal drinking age is a binge drinker. 44 % of U.S. college students engage in binge drinking. 10 % of college students drink more than 15 or more drinks per week…..90% of college students report drinking alcohol weekly. Binge drinkers in high school are 3 times more likely to become binge drinkers in college

Facts about Binge Drinking 62% of binge drinkers report more illness Among frequent binge drinkers, 62 % of men and 49 % of women report driving after drinking. Approximately one-half of binge drinkers have ridden with a driver who was intoxicated Binge drinkers spend 5.5 billion dollars per year on alcohol

Binge Drinking Patterns

What’s the Problem??

Consequences of Binge Drinking Binge drinkers are 7 to 10 times more likely to: engage in unsafe sex practices damage property get injured drive while legally intoxicated or ride with an intoxicated driver be involved in assaults suffer from alcohol poisoning

Negative Effects of Binge Drinking

Reasons for Binge Drinking?? Don’t know their limit To loosen up To feel less depressed To feel less nervous To relieve stress To feel more self-confident To be part of the group

Risk Factors for Binge Drinking Away from home Living in a dormitory Uninvolved in community activities Easy-accessibility to alcohol Perceived stressful work/living environment Environment supportive of alcohol use

Ask Yourself?? Quantity: How many standard drinks do you consume during a typical week? Patterns of Drinking On how many days in a month do you have 1-2 drinks? 3-4 drinks? More than 4 drinks? When more than 4 drinks, how many?

Ask Yourself ???? Drinking Situations: I drink more heavily when: I experience stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness I experience physical pain of discomfort I need to function more efficiently I want to have a good time I want to test myself I have conflict with others I feel pressure from my family/friends to drink  Do I never/seldom/always drink to get DRUNK??

Second-Hand Consequences of Binge Drinking Pushed, hit, or assaulted Property damaged Sleep interrupted Unwelcome sexual advance Baby-sit a drunk room- mate/friend/acquaintance 80% of all violent crimes are alcohol-related.

Second-Hand Effects of Binge Drinking

Low-Risk Drinking No more than one standard drink per hour Eat before and while drinking Drink water and non-alcoholic drinks Drink slowly and space your drinks Develop effective refusal skills Don’t insist on one for the road Know your limits and your drinks Model responsible attitudes towards alcohol

STANDARD DRINK

Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Poisoning Has consumed a large amount of alcohol Semi-conscious or unconscious Unable to arouse Cold, clammy, bluish skin color Slow or Erratic breathing (8-10 breaths per second or less)

What to Do DO NOT leave the person alone. Lay them on their side. Call for emergency medical help. Check breathing. Alcohol is a depressant drug that will eventually stop the respiratory system.

Binge Drinking Review Alcohol is a ________drug. Tolerance is_______?? The body processes out __ standard drink an hour. Factors that affect impairment are? For assistance, you can go where?