Binge Drinking Statistics

Binge drinking is defined as a common pattern of excessive alcohol consumption, and is often found to be the preferred method of drinking among teens and college students, according to recent binge drinking statistics. These numbers reveal that the number of college students and teens that binge drink also face serious consequences. Keep reading to find out more about this dangerous activity and more binge drinking statistics.

Binge drinking is the pattern of drinking that brings a person’s blood alcohol level above 0.08 percent. In most cases, the average male can achieve this by drinking about 5 alcoholic drinks in a short period of time, usually about two hours. The average woman can also reach this blood alcohol level by consuming about 4 alcoholic drinks in a short time period, also about two hours. While many believe that those who binge drink are alcoholics or are alcohol dependent, that is not always the case. While many of those who partake in binge drinking activities are college students or teens, there are actually higher numbers of adults over age 26 who take part in binge drinking. However, according to recent binge drinking statistics, about 90 percent of the alcohol consumed by teens and young adults under age 21 is done in the practice of binge drinking.

Other binge drinking statistics:

• There are about 92 percent of adults in the United States who drink excessively (binge drink) on several occasions throughout the course of a month.
• While college students are notorious for teen binge drinking, the binge drinking statistics reveal that about 70 percent of binge drinking episodes are attributed to adults age 26 and over.
• Binge drinkers are about 14 more times likely to drive drunk than non-binge drinkers.
• Out of all alcohol consumption throughout the United States, about 75 percent of the alcohol drunk by adults in is the form of binge drinking.
• The age group most likely to drink excessively are those in the 18 to 20-year-old group with about 51 percent, according to recent binge drinking statistics released by the Centers for Disease Control.

There are many negative consequences involved in cases of binge drinking ranging from alcohol poisoning to death. There has been much media attention garnered toward binge drinking on college and university campuses throughout the country over the past few years with many deaths as a result of binge drinking being reported, according to recent binge drinking statistics. Other binge drinking consequences include cardiovascular problems like heart attack and stroke, impaired judgment resulting in sexually transmitted diseases and unintended pregnancy as well as neurological damage. Injuries, both intentionally and unintentional have occurred as the result of binge drinking, according to recent binge drinking statistics. Knowing and understanding the risks involved with binge drinking is vital in being able to prevent it and how to teach young adults how to drink responsibly.

Source: cdc.gov

What is Binge Drinking?

What is binge drinking? The media and news outlets are continually covering stories about teens and college students that are involved in binge drinking. Unfortunately the consequences of binge drinking are often extremely dangerous, and sometimes deadly, for the ones who participate. While some teens and college students who drink, may do so in moderation, there are plenty who do not yet recognize their limits of alcohol use or want to keep up with their friends, giving in to peer pressure, which results in disastrous consequences. Keep reading to find out the answer to, what is binge drinking?

What is binge drinking?
The answer to the question, what is binge drinking is often defined as a common pattern of excessive alcohol consumption. This pattern of drinking that brings a person’s blood alcohol level above 0.08 percent. The average male can achieve this by drinking about 5 alcoholic drinks in a short period of time. The average woman can also reach this level by consuming about 4 alcoholic drinks in a short time period - about two hours. There is a misconception that those who binge drink are alcoholics or are alcohol dependent. However, while this may occasionally be the case, it is not the norm. The majority of those who partake in binge drinking activities are college age students. According to recent binge drinking statistics, about 90 percent of the alcohol consumed by teens and young adults under age 21 is in the form of binge drinking. Bringing up huge concerns about teen binge drinking.

Consequences of binge drinking:
When it comes to knowing the answer to the question, what is binge drinking and the facts about binge drinking consequences, it is important to know that there are many health problems that can result from binge drinking activities.

• Unintentional injuries can easily occur from falling, car crashes, burns, drowning and more while under the influence of alcohol after binge drinking.
• Intentional injuries also can occur while binge drinking including sexual assault, rape, domestic violence, other forms of violence, and harm from firearm injuries.
• Alcohol poisoning is a very serious and common consequence of binge drinking.
• Sexually transmitted diseases and unintended pregnancy. Because alcohol inhibits behaviors and alters perception, those who drink, and more specifically binge drink, are more likely to participate in behaviors they wouldn’t normally participate in, like unprotected sex.
• Babies born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and other birth defects. Drinking alcohol while pregnant can cause serious health concerns and defects for the unborn baby. Lots of alcohol consumption during pregnancy can be detrimental and even deadly for the baby.
• High blood pressure, stroke, heart attack and other cardiovascular diseases can also occur as a result of binge drinking.
• Neurological damage.
• Sexual dysfunction.
• Lack of control over diabetes.

How to stop or control binge drinking:
One of the best ways to control teenage binge drinking is to understand the dangers of binge drinking and explain them to your child or teen. Make sure they know the risks involved with consuming too much alcohol. Many states are taking preventative measures by instituting laws and regulations to help control underage drinking, increasing alcohol beverage costs and taxes. Some areas also limit the number of restaurants and stores that can sell alcohol in a certain area. Many states are also ensuring the public school curriculum includes information about alcohol abuse and instruction to students about what binge drinking is, so that teens understand the risks involved.

Sources: cdc.gov

Teenage Drinking and Driving

Teenage drinking and driving has unfortunately lead to many cases of serious automobile accidents that cause thousands of deaths and serious injuries each year. Parents and teens can both work to prevent these types of accidents by learning about teenage drinking and driving and how to prevent your teen or friends from drinking and driving or riding with a drunk driver. Keep reading to find out more about teenage drinking and driving statistics and how to encourage your teen to stay safe.

Teenage drinking and driving statistics:
While many of these numbers are preventable, teenage drinking and driving still remains the cause of thousands of car accidents each year.

• According to drunk driving statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were about 12,998 drinking and driving related fatalities in the United States in 2007. Out of that number about 1,393 were a result of teenage drinking and driving.
• These same teenage drinking and driving statistics revealed that about 28 percent of teens that are killed in motor vehicle accidents were either drinking prior to driving or were drinking while driving.
• These startling statistics show that about 40 percent of the drinking and driving related deaths are a result of drunk teens.
• Car accidents are found to be the number one killer of teens from age 15 to 20.

Teenage drinking and driving prevention:
When it comes to the role parents can play in ensuring the safety of their teen, it is a vital one. Some things parents can do to stop or prevent teenage drinking and driving include:

• Stress the importance of not drinking and driving to your teen. Explain the risk factors and how alcohol works to inhibit reaction times and driving perception, which can easily result in accidents that can kill themselves or others. Be honest with your teen and let them know how much you love them and don’t want them to get hurt or be involved in hurting others.
• Set rules about teenage drinking and driving. Make sure your teen knows they are not allowed drink and especially not allowed to drink alcohol while or before driving. Make sure your teen knows the consequences of what happens if these rule are broken, including rescinded driving privileges and more.
• Make sure your teen knows they can always call you for a ride if they can’t find a safe ride home. Talk to them about making sure they avoid getting rides with friends if their friends have been drinking.
• Encourage your teen to have fun without the use of alcohol. Set a good example for your teen and never drink and drive.

It is vital for parents to follow these rules and establish boundaries for their child in order to prevent teenage drinking and driving. About 71 percent of teens are less likely to engage in dangerous behaviors like drinking and driving when they have parents who talk to them about the dangers of drinking and driving and the consequences for disobeying the rules.

Sources: buzzle.com, firsteagle.com

Alcoholism Facts

Alcoholism facts reveal alcoholism is a serious and sometimes deadly disease that can affect all kinds of people. When a person experiences alcoholism, their body becomes dependent on alcohol and he/she loses control of his/her drinking. Many people who are alcoholics have trouble controlling when they drink, how much they drink or how often they consume alcohol. The repercussions of alcoholism usually result in problems with family, relationships, finances, work and/or health. There are about 17.6 million adults in the United States that are alcoholics, according to recent alcoholism facts. Keep reading to find out more about alcoholism facts including symptoms, complications and treatment options.

Alcoholism symptoms:
There are many different symptoms associated with alcoholism. It affects some worse than others. Others are also more genetically inclined to become alcoholics. Some of these alcoholism symptoms include:

• Being unable to limit the amount of alcohol you consume
• Feeling a strong need to drink alcohol
• Developing a tolerance to alcohol so that you need to drink more to feel its effects
• Experiencing problems with relationships, work, finances or the law because of excessive drinking
• Drinking alone or having to hide your drinking habits
• Experience withdrawal symptoms if you don’t drink like nausea, sweating and shaking
• Drinking to feel “normal”

Alcoholism Complications:
Alcohol abuse and alcoholism can cause serious health issues, according to many alcoholism facts. Some of the complications associated with alcoholism include depression, an increase in violent behavior or tendencies, poor performance at work or school, motor vehicle accidents or other types of accidents that can easily occur under impaired judgment. Other types of health problems that result from alcoholism include liver disorders. Excessive and long-term drinking can cause alcoholic hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver. Digestive problems with the lining of the stomach can result from excessive drinking. Damage to the pancreas, the heart and sexual functions are also the result of alcoholism. If experiencing alcoholism while pregnant, there is a strong likelihood of birth defects in the baby. Alcoholism facts also cover the fact that this chronic disease leads to bone loss, neurological complications as well as an increase in some types of cancer. With so many risk factors and complications, it is vital for those experiencing alcoholism symptoms and issues to get medical and professional help right away to prevent the serious and sometimes deadly complications of alcoholism.

Alcoholism Treatment:
There are many different options when it comes to alcoholism treatment. It varies depending on what is needed for the alcoholic, some people respond better to one kind treatment while others do better with a different alcoholism treatment option. For some counseling and therapy groups are the best treatment. Many alcoholics first begin drinking as an effort to cope with emotional issues. The counseling form of treatment can help battle these inner demons, and help the person suffering from alcoholism resolve the issue that got them drinking in the first place. By doing this, they may be less likely to relapse. The alcoholism facts also point out that many alcoholics have more successful treatments with oral medications like Antabuse. These oral or injected medications can help them to battle the physical dependency of alcohol by reducing the urge to drink and causing negative repercussions of using alcohol while taking Antabuse. Some alcoholics are so severely affected that they may need to take advantage of a program like a residential treatment center. Having their entire day devoted to beating the alcoholism, with the help of experienced and professional staff, can help increase the success of the alcoholism treatment. It is best to do research to find out which treatment option is best for the alcoholic to use in order to ensure a successful outcome.

Sources: mayoclinic.com, nlm.nih.gov