All about Binge Drinking

Based on studies, binge drinking is one of the main problems that teenagers are facing these days. Binge drinking, or the act of consuming at least five alcoholic drinks consecutively, is something that happens in many parties and social events involving teens and young adults.

Survey results in the US show that 45% of students in colleges and 33% of students in high schools have indulged in binge drinking within the past 14 days. The 2004 figures from the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse also show that over 5 million high school students participate in binge drinking sessions at least once every 30 days. Parents who get hold of the statistics probably could not believe the high incidence of binge drinking particularly because minors are not allowed to consume alcoholic beverages. However, it is important that you realize that teenagers and young adults consume high amounts of alcohol during spring breaks, college parties, and even junior proms. Even if you raised your kids well, you have to remember that it is hard for them to say no to peer pressure. Probably, you may have experienced the same situation when you where in your teens too. So, what is the best way to deal with this problem? Just talk with your kids, assure them that they can say no if they want to and, more importantly, remind them of the consequences of binge drinking.

Statistics presented above should be taken seriously by parents. Although national polls show that there is a substantial decrease in drug use among college students and high school seniors, figures on binge drinking are almost fixed. It seems that young people today consume alcoholic drinks in the same way that teenagers and young adults did half a decade ago. It must be emphasized that binge drinking can cause alcohol-related accidents, particularly among reckless and impulsive young adults. You need to understand that people under the age of 21 usually combine alcohol drinking with potentially dangerous activities, such as drunk driving. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that four major causes of injury or death among individuals under the age of 21 are homicide, drowning, suicide and motor vehicle accidents. You need to know that majority of such accidents and deaths are attributable to consumption of alcohol.

Aside from injuries, other problems that can arise from binge drinking include being infected with sexually transmitted diseases, exposure to HIV, and early pregnancy. You can also include date rape and other sexually-related violence to potential consequences of binge drinking. More often than not, sexual encounters among young people happen when minors consume substantial amounts of alcohol.

The prevalence of binge drinking among young people can be attributed to a society that promotes heavy drinking. In fact, many movies and television programs show that cool guys and gals love to party and drink alcohol heavily. Moreover, many teenagers also claim that alcohol is easily accessible now than five years ago. You will probably agree that availability and frequency of use go hand in hand. Besides, young people love alcoholic drinks, particularly beer, because they are more affordable than other types of party beverages.

One factor that may add to the high prevalence of binge drinking in colleges is the marketing strategies being done by makers of alcoholic beverages which zero in on the youth. You can easily see advertisements of alcoholic products or happy-hour promos in clubs and restaurants posted on bulletin boards all over campuses and even school papers. Moreover, distributors and manufacturers of alcoholic beverages are also very active in sponsoring school sporting events and cultural activities even if majority of students in such schools are below 21. The reason why only individuals over 21 years old are allowed to drink is the fact that when one is older, he tends to be more responsible and smart enough not to participate in binge drinking.

Strategies that can Prevent Binge Drinking

One of the most effective ways of preventing the prevalence of overconsumption of alcohol among teens and young adults is by making alcoholic beverages less available to this age group. To achieve this, measures that will increase the price of alcoholic drinks must be in place. Also, more responsible advertising practices among manufacturers and retailers of alcoholic drinks must be established. A number of communities in the country are already using keg tagging, which helps identify the age of the consumer through serial numbering. This helps discourage underage drinking. Stricter rules when it comes to marketing and promotion of alcoholic products should also be set up. Portraying binge or underage drinking as glamorous, cool, and fun should also be minimized, if not totally banned from the media.

Teenagers and young adults can also take a stand against binge drinking. If more people say no to underage consumption of alcoholic beverages, the practice of binge drinking will become less popular. As a responsible teen and young adult, you should take it upon yourself not to attend parties or events where kegs of beers and bottles of hard drinks will be served. Even if you hear that bartenders will be hired to serve cocktails and other alcoholic drinks, you should still avoid attending such event so that you will not be tempted or be forced by your peers to do something that you will regret later on. It would be so much better if you just go to some other place that is free of alcoholic drinks.

Truly, the risks involved in binge drinking are enormous. Many lives and futures have been shattered simply because young people gave in to binge drinking. It is worth noting that once you have committed a mistake, such as driving under the influence of alcohol or participating in sexual activities without protection, there is nothing you can do to turn back the time. The consequences of your impulsiveness, irresponsibility and recklessness can endanger not only your life, but the lives of your friends and other people. Thus, simply say no to underage consumption of alcohol. Your decision to stay away from alcohol may save a life.

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