Binge drinking

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Binge drinking
Synonyms	N/A
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Intoxication, hangover, blackouts, alcohol poisoning
Complications	Alcohol use disorder, liver disease, cardiovascular disease, neurological damage, injuries, violence
Onset	Typically begins in adolescence or early adulthood
Duration	Episodes last several hours
Types	N/A
Causes	Excessive alcohol consumption
Risks	Peer pressure, social norms, mental health disorders, genetic predisposition
Diagnosis	Based on drinking patterns and blood alcohol concentration
Differential diagnosis	Alcohol use disorder, alcohol dependence
Prevention	Education, policy interventions, behavioral interventions
Treatment	Counseling, support groups, medication
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	Varies; risk of developing alcohol use disorder
Frequency	Common among young adults and college students
Deaths	N/A

Binge drinking is a pattern of alcohol consumption that brings the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level to 0.08% or more. This pattern of drinking is typically observed in adults over the age of 21 and is often associated with a range of negative health and social consequences.

Definition

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) defines binge drinking as a pattern of drinking alcohol that brings the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08% or above. For a typical adult, this pattern corresponds to consuming five or more drinks (male), or four or more drinks (female), in about two hours.

Health Risks

Binge drinking poses significant health risks, including the development of alcohol use disorder, liver disease, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and cancer. It can also lead to poor decision making, risky behavior, and accidents or injuries.

Social and Economic Impact

The social and economic impacts of binge drinking are substantial. These include lost productivity, healthcare costs, crime, and other social problems. Binge drinking can also lead to domestic violence, child neglect and abuse, and absenteeism in the workplace.

Prevention and Treatment

Prevention and treatment of binge drinking involve a combination of public health interventions, policy changes, and individual counseling. These may include alcohol education programs, cognitive behavioral therapy, and medication.

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See Also

• Alcohol use disorder
• Alcoholism
• Alcohol abuse
• Alcohol intoxication
• Alcohol and health

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