Underage Drinking

In May 2008, students at Colby College, a private institution in Maine, celebrated "Senior Champagne on the Steps," a tradition in which graduates drink champagne on the steps of the administration building. The event ended with 20 graduates at the local emergency room, with 17 being treated for alcohol poisoning.

Binge drinking has been generally defined as the prolonged use of alcohol (usually for two or more days) while giving up normal responsibilities and activities in order to become intoxicated. Officially, the National Institutes of Health defines binge drinking as "a pattern of drinking that brings a person's blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08 grams percent or above." This level of BAC can result from five or more drinks consumed in two hours for men and four or more for women..

The classic example of a binge drinker is the college student who refrains from using alcohol until classes are over for the week, then spends his weekend drinking as much as possible. He might have a hangover on Monday morning, but for all intents and purposes, he appears fine. Similar stereotypes might be provided of high school students or 20-something adults engaging in binge drinking. In reality, binge drinking occurs among all age groups. The problem is important enough that the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and other groups have undertaken studies of binge drinking.

Studies of binge drinking have revealed interesting facts about who participates in this activity. First, most binge drinkers are not alcohol dependent; that is, they are not alcoholics in the usual sense of the word. Also, although binge drinking has always been associated with college students, surveys find that about 70% of binge drinking episodes involve individuals who are 25 years or older. About 75% of the alcohol consumed by adults over 21 is consumed as a part of binge drinking. Men are twice as likely as women to participate in binge drinking.

Although more episodes involve people over 25 years of age, the highest proportion of binge drinkers is actually in the 18 to 20-year-old group, totaling about 51%. Over 90% of the alcohol consumed by drinkers under 21 is consumed during binge drinking episodes.

A survey of college presidents revealed that most consider binge drinking as the most serious problem on their campuses. Harvard University's School of Public Health surveyed students at 119 colleges in 1999. They found that 44% of those students reported that they had engaged in binge drinking during the two weeks preceding the survey. If the students had been binge drinkers in high school, they were three times more likely than other students to binge drink while in college. Over half the binge drinkers reported they had binged three or more times in a two-week period while in college.

Binge drinking has many harmful or destructive consequences associated with it. One problem is the hangover that follows binge drinking. This result is relatively mild compared to the dangers of alcohol poisoning. Consuming large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time may result in a weakening of the body's reflexes, including breathing and the gag reflex, causing a victim to choke on their own vomit. Individuals with alcohol poisoning may also pass out or suffer seizures. Other dangers include unintentional injuries, whether from falls or car accidents. Longer term problems can include liver disease, neurological damage, and high blood pressure, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases. In the shorter term, binge drinking has led to sexual assault and unintended pregnancies. Sexually transmitted diseases are also common. Loss of reasoning ability while under the influence has caused many people to make poor judgments. As a result, binge drinkers are more likely to be charged with driving under the influence and to be responsible for property damage.

Authorities' responses to binge drinking have included trying to restrict or shut off the supply of alcohol. One economic method is to increase the cost of alcoholic beverages and the excise taxes, making it more difficult for students to purchase much alcohol. On the other hand, this action harms local businesses, since responsible adults find it harder to purchase alcohol as well. Another method is to restrict the number of facilities that can sell alcohol in a particular location. Changes in zoning laws have forced establishments selling alcohol to move farther from campuses. Students without cars are unable to purchase and transport large quantities, but those with automobiles may drive and drink, with added dangers for others. Consistent enforcement of the age limits on purchasing alcohol has had some effect, although many young adults obtain alcohol for binge drinking from older siblings or friends. Campaigns to increase awareness of age restrictions and the penalty of buying alcohol for minors have also been used, with varying degrees of effectiveness. Increased punishments for underage drinkers, whether through the legal system or by universities and schools, is another method that has achieved some success. The College Alcohol Study by the Harvard School of Public Health found in 2005 that student binge drinking is 31% lower in seven states that had four or more laws that targeted high volume sales of alcohol or other laws to reduce underage drinking. Such rules as registration requirements for beer kegs have also been found to effectively reduce instances of binge drinking.

Attempts to educate people about the dangers of binge drinking are another response used by authorities. On campuses, campaigns to warn students about the dangers of binge drinking are common. Various counseling venues are available, as well as screening for alcohol problems. Peer-based organizations have also been used, with referrals to treatment centers as necessary.

Despite efforts to reduce binge drinking, however, it remains a problem. Laws against underage drinking have no impact on those over 21, for example. Enforcement of drinking and driving laws is no deterrent to those whose judgment is impaired because of their drinking. Part of the problem is that binge drinking is often viewed as an acceptable practice. Many students assume that others are bingeing, so they feel a certain amount of peer pressure to join. Adults sometimes view it as a way to relieve the stress of jobs or social pressures. Until the dangers of binge drinking are better understood by all, the problem seems likely to continue.

Watts, Tim. "binge drinking." Issues: Understanding Controversy and Society. ABC-CLIO, 2012. Web. 14 Nov. 2012.