BINGE DRINKING in the UK By Ishleen Kaur and Vidhya Kasilingam

Introduction Binge drinking, also known as heavy episode drinking, is a relatively modern phenomenon where individuals consume large sums of alcohol with the intention of becoming intoxicated quickly. It can be defined as an individual consuming five or more alcoholic beverages at one time. It is extremely common in individuals between the ages of however studies suggest that binge drinking starts at a much earlier age and it is likely to continue in later life.

Prevalence The incidence of binge drinking in the UK has increased significantly in recent years. ‘Per-capita consumption of alcohol in the U.K. rose 19% between 1980 and 2007, compared with a 13% decline for all 30 countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, according to the most recent data. Average consumption over that period fell by about 17% in the U.S., 24% in Canada, 30% in Germany and 33% in France, according to the OECD.’ binge-drinking.html However the main concern in the UK is regarding students… ‘Most (92.5%) students were classed as binge drinkers; most exceeded the weekly guidelines for sensible drinking. Ninety per cent of students were not aware of sensible drinking guidelines and drank larger measures at home in outside venues’

Etiology of Binge Drinking Main causes described for binge drinking are: – Having fun – Conformity to peer group norms – Escaping the everyday – letting themselves go and forgetting the frustrations of the working day – The feeling of invincibility and finding the self confidence to deal with social situations However there are more specific and recurring factors that influence an individuals tendency to become a binge drinker. These include: – Youth, particularly 17 – 23 – Family history of substance abuse – Impulsive personality trait – Depression or anxiety – Positive expectancies about the effects of alcohol

Symptoms Signs of binge drinking are: – Loss of control over drinking. Volume of alcohol and duration of consumption are both longer than initially intended. – There is an intention to stop drinking but the individual finds it difficult to stop and previous efforts have been unsuccessful. – Alcohol has taken over other parts of the individual’s life e.g. effecting social life, work, hobbies. – Interest in anything dissociated from alcohol no longer has much importance to the individual any longer. Nearly all time is being spent either drinking alcohol or thinking about it. – Despite the individual having acknowledged these problems, they still drink.

Diagnosis For the purpose of identifying an alcohol use disorder when assessing binge drinking, using a time frame of the past 6 months eliminates false negatives of wrong diagnosis. Treatment and offered strategies Binge drinking is considered harmful, regardless of a person's age, and there have been calls for healthcare professionals to give increased attention to their patients drinking habits, especially binge drinking. Some researchers believe that raising the legal drinking age and screening brief interventions by healthcare providers are the most effective means of reducing morbidity and mortality rates associated with binge drinking. There are also a number of individual counseling approaches, such as motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral approaches, that have been shown to reduce drinking among heavy drinking college students. Early screening tests Acamprosate (Campral) to lower the risk of relapse Disulfiram (Antabuse), which lasts two weeks and causes unpleasant side effects if alcohol is consumed during that time Naltrexone (Vivitrol) to decrease cravings Rehabilitation, cognitive behavioral therapy and medications. Support groups can be helpful initially and in maintaining sobriety.

Secondary Medical Effects Bleeding esophageal varices (bleeding from dilated veins around the esophagus) Brain damage Cardiovascular disease Delirium tremens (severe alcohol withdrawal) Depression Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) Head and neck cancers High blood pressure Liver disease (includes any type of liver problem, such as hepatitis, cirrhosis and liver failure) Malnutrition Nerve damage Pancreatitis Stupor or coma

Cultural impact and effects on quality of life Violent behavior: Alcohol impacts motor functions and cognitive perceptions; studies have indicated that alcohol has played a casual role in accidents and violent behavior of all types. Drunk driving: Binge drinkers also have a propensity for drunk driving which leads to hundreds of fatalities across the country each year. Criminal tendencies: Youngsters habituated to binge drinking are twice as likely to commit an offense than people of the same age who do not indulge in excessive drinking.

References ts_treatment.htm