Binge Drinking In Australia

Binge drinking is a significant health problem in Australia. Binge drinking is defined as ‘drinking heavily over a short period of time with the intention of becoming intoxicated, resulting in immediate and severe intoxication’(Australian Drug Foundation, 2016). The effect of binge drinking can be harmful in the short and long term. Jennison, (2004) states that binge drinking short term effect on individual include blurred vision, coma and death and long-term effect include health problems such as liver failure, cirrhosis and a certain type of cancer (breast, rectum, liver, larynx, colon). Teenagers binge drinking has been associated with various societal alcohol-related problems that create a threat to public health in Australia. The National Binge Drinking Campaign, (2010) reported that in Australia, every year about 3000 deaths and 65000 hospitalisations are caused by binge drinking.