Why does binge drinking occur

This dangerous drinking pattern means 8 or more drinks for women and 10 or more drinks for men on one occasion. Research suggests that high-intensity drinking peaks around age 21 and is most common among young adults attending college.

This pattern of drinking is of particular concern because it is associated with an even greater risk of severe health and safety consequences. More research is needed to identify interventions that can be used to discourage this pattern of use.

Adolescent binge drinking: Developmental context and opportunities for prevention. Alcohol Research: Current Reviews 39 1 :5—15, PMID: Table 2. Accessed January 6, This can lead to struggles with studying and poor academic performance.

People who binge-drink may find that their friends drift away — which is what happened with Chet and Dave. Drinking can affect personality; people might become angry or moody while drinking, for example. Some studies have shown that people who binge-drink heavily — those who have three or more episodes of binge drinking in 2 weeks — have some of the symptoms of alcoholism.

If you think you or a friend have a binge-drinking problem, get help as soon as possible. The best approach is to talk to an adult you trust — if you can't approach your parents, talk to your doctor, school counselor, clergy member, aunt, or uncle.

It can be hard for some people to talk to adults about these issues, so an alternative could be a trusted friend or older sibling who is easy to talk to. Drinking too much can be the result of social pressures, and sometimes it helps to know there are others who have gone through the same thing.

If you're worried, don't hesitate to ask someone for help. A supportive friend or adult could help you to avoid pressure situations, stop drinking, or find counseling. Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. What Is Binge Drinking? What's on your mind? Binge drinking: Five reasons why 1. You wanted to have heaps of fun More drinks equals more fun, right? You felt anxious, lonely and wanted a confidence boost Feeling socially anxious is one of the most popular reasons we set a cracking pace.

You wanted to fit in No one wants to be the odd one out and sometimes it seems easier to follow the crowd rather than draw attention to yourself.

What can I do now? Put these two numbers in your phone: Emergency: ; and the Poisons Information Line : 13 11 This typically happens when men consume 5 or more drinks or women consume 4 or more drinks in about 2 hours. Data sources: CDC. Binge drinking is associated with many health problems, 8—10 including the following:.

Read more about the CDC study that found that excessive drinking in the U. S is a drain on the American economy. The Community Preventive Services Task Force external icon recommends evidence-based interventions to prevent binge drinking and related harms.

The US Preventive Services Task Force external icon also recommends screening and counseling for alcohol misuse in medical settings. Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. Alcohol and Public Health. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Binge Drinking.