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Defining binge drinking
There is general agreement that drinking patterns associated with rapid intoxication, such as binge drinking carry with them potential for social and physiological harm. What exactly constitutes a binge and how best to define it in quantitative terms, however, is the source of considerable disagreement.
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Thresholds used are arbitrary; no consensus exists on the number of drinks considered a binge.
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Alcohol content of drinks varies, especially between international definitions of “standard drinks”.
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Length of time in an “occasion” or “sitting” is not defined.
A broad range of definitions and usage exists around the “binge”, particularly in the English language. For example, the clinical definition of a “binge” differs from that used in the social sciences, and differs yet again from that used colloquially.
Within the field of epidemiology, for example, there is disparity regarding the amount of alcohol that needs to be consumed in order to qualify as a “binge”. One of the commonly used thresholds for “binge” drinking is 5 or more drinks for men and 4 or more for women per occasion. This definition has gained a foothold within the social sciences literature and has influenced media reporting of drinking behavior. However, the lack of specificity regarding the duration of an "occasion", and of the size, strength, or type of drinks involved may compromise the ability to apply this definition to actual drinking behavior.
The clinical definition of a binge, on the other hand, is characterized by the consumption of alcohol to intoxication, usually a solitary and self-destructive activity lasting up to several days and involving a loss of control. Epidemiological definitions generally refer to much shorter drinking episodes but do not quantify binge drinking adequately.
There is no consistency among formal and quantitative definitions of binge drinking.
The epidemiological research literature shows a broad range of definitions of binge drinking.
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4+ drinks per occasion for women / 5+ drinks per occasion for men (US)
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5+ drinks per occasion on at least one in last 30 days (US)
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Blood alcohol concentration raised to 0.08g/ml or above (US/ NIAAA)
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1/2 bottle of spirits or 2 bottles of wine on the same occasion (Sweden)
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6+ bottles of beer per session (Finland)
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8 drinks within the same day (Canada)
Culture plays an important role in shaping binge drinking patterns, attitudes towards it and their role within the social context.
The term binge drinking may not be recognized in other languages, but the phenomenon certainly is; and while it may be culturally acceptable, it represents a drinking pattern with potential for social and physical harm.
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Binge drinking is regarded as a male drinking pattern in some cultures, acceptable for men but not for women.
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Some cultures include binge drinking episodes among other rites of passage into adulthood (e.g., Pacific Islanders, certain university cultures in US, Japan and elsewhere).
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Binge drinking may be associated with certain celebrations in some cultures, but otherwise absent from drinking occasions.
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Binge drinking may represent a “time out” from conventional behavior, often in association with celebrations and holidays (e.g, Mardi Gras, Fastnacht).
Public Health Implications
Binge drinking is a potentially harmful pattern of drinking that contributes to the health and social costs of alcohol misuse. It has been associated with various negative outcomes, including drunk driving, accidents and injuries, as well as other risky behaviors in adults as well as in young people.
Some of the health outcomes described for binge drinking include:
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increased risk for stroke and other cardiovascular problems;
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during pregnancy, binge drinking may contribute to adverse effects on the health of the fetus;
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continued and long-term binge drinking may cause neurological damage.
Adverse social consequences of binge drinking have also been described for both adults and young people. They include:
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impaired performance and absenteeism from the workplace;
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impaired academic performance;
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increased risk of motor vehicle crashes;
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increased risk of unintended social consequences, such as unprotected sexual activity. |