Binge Drinking

1
Binge Drinking

• INFORMATION AND PREVENTION

June 2008
2
Training Objectives

• Identify what binge drinking is
• Identify reasons teens binge drink
• Recognize the dangers and risks of binge drinking
• Recognize the importance of teens getting help
  for binge drinking

3
What is Binge Drinking?

• According to Kids Health, binge drinking is the
  heavy consumption of alcohol over a short period
  of time.
• Binge drinking consists of drinking 5 or more
  drinks in a row, in a span of two weeks for men.
  It is four drinks for women in the same time
  period.

4

• The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) report
  about 90 of the alcohol consumed by youth under
  the age of 21 in the United States, is in the
  form of binge drinks (5).
• According to the U.S. Department of Health and
  Human Services, studies show that more than 35
  of adults with an alcohol problem developed
  symptomssuch as binge drinkingby age 19.
• Heavy binge drinking is 3 or more episodes in the
  span of two weeks.

5
Why Do Teens Binge Drink?

• Teens often binge drink due to
• Peer Pressure
• Curiosity
• Want to escape their present life and stress
• Thinks it will make them feel good, but may not
  realize how sick they will be afterward
• Want to feel older
• 
  (Kids Health)

6
Health Problems Due to Binge Drinking

• The CDC identifies the following health problems
  as consequences to binge drinking
• Unintentional injuries (car crashes, drowning,
  falls, burns, etc.)
• Intentional injuries (domestic violence, sexual
  assault, firearm injuries, etc.)

7

• Alcohol Poisoning
• Sexually transmitted diseases
• Unintended Pregnancy
• Children born with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum
  disorders
• Liver Disease
• Neurological Problems
• High blood pressure, stroke and other
  cardiovascular problems
• Poor control of diabetes

8
Risks Associated with Binge Drinking

• Alcohol Poisoning is the most life threatening
  consequence of binge drinking. It affects
  involuntary reflexes including breathing and the
  gag reflex. If the gag reflex is not working,
  someone can choke on their own vomit and die.
• 
  (Kids Health)

9

• Other signs of Alcohol Poisoning
• Bluish or pale skin
• Extreme confusion
• Vomiting
• Seizures
• Low body temperature
• Slow or irregular breathing
• Inability to be awakened

10

• Impaired judgment is another risk associated with
  binge drinking. Those who have been binge
  drinking may drive drunk, or injure themselves or
  others.
• In 2000, roughly one third of pedestrians 16 and
  older who were killed in traffic accidents were
  intoxicated.
• Impaired judgment may also lead to unwanted
  pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
• 
  (Kids Health)

11

• Those who binge drink have a harder time in
  school and are more likely to drop out, than
  their fellow students. Binge drinking can lead
  to a loss of concentration and a disruption in
  sleep patterns.
• Binge drinking can affect personality making
  people moody or angry. This can directly affect
  relationships.
• Heavy binge drinkers (those who have three or
  more episodes of binge drinking in 2 weeks) have
  some of the symptoms of alcoholism.
• 
  (Kids
  Health)

12
Help for Binge Drinkers

• According to Kids Health, if you know someone who
  is binge drinking, get help as soon as possible.
  Kids should talk to an adult they trust about the
  problem. If they dont feel comfortable talking
  to their parents, they can seek out other adults
  such as school counselors, teachers, doctors,
  clergy members, or other adult relatives.

13

• If a teen has been binge drinking and wants out,
  they must ask for help. A supportive friend or
  adult could help these teens to avoid pressure
  situations, stop drinking, or find counseling.
• Groups such as Al-Anon or Alateen can be a great
  source of support for teens.
• http//www.al-anon.alateen.org/
• 
  (Kids Health)

14
For More Information, Visit These Websites

• Kids Health.com, http//kidshealth.org/teen/drug_a
  lcohol/alcohol/binge_drink.html
• About.com Alcoholism, http//alcoholism.about.com
  /cs/teens/a/blhbns040516.htm
• Center for Advancement of Health,
  http//www.cfah.org/hbns/news/teen05-14-04.cfm
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
  http//ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/facts.aspx?to
  pic159

15

• Centers for Disease Control, http//www.cdc.gov/al
  cohol/quickstats/binge_drinking.htm
• CNN.com, http//www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/08/07/bing
  e.drinking.ap/index.html
• Web MD, http//www.webmd.com/parenting/news/200701
  02/teen-binge-drinking-common-and-risky
• Health Alliance on Alcohol, http//www.healthallia
  nceonalcohol.com/downloads/haa_talking_to_teens_un
  derage_drinking.pdf

16
Missouri Department of Social Services State
Technical Assistance Team

• Address
• PO Box 208Jefferson City, MO 65102-0208
• Telephone [phone](800) 487-1626(8 a.m.
  to 5 p.m. CST, Monday Friday)
• Email
•  dls.stat_at_dss.mo.gov