Binge drinking in college is a significant problem at campuses across the country, with statistics showing that 29% of full-time college students ages 18-22 reported binge drinking within 30 days.[1] Young adults may choose to binge drink for different reasons, but no matter the reason, the dangerous consequences remain. If you have a college-age child, we have valuable information for you about the dangers of binge drinking and how you can help to reduce this troubling trend.
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What is Considered Binge Drinking?
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, binge drinking is defined as a pattern of drinking that brings the blood alcohol concentration to 0.08 percent, or 0.08 grams of alcohol per deciliter, or higher.[2] For adults, this is the equivalent of 5 or more drinks for males or four or more for females in 2 hours.
What Happens When Someone Binge Drinks?
When someone has an alcoholic drink, they can begin to feel the effects within 5 to 10 minutes. The liver breaks down the majority of alcohol in the blood. The rest is excreted through the lungs, kidneys, or sweat.[3] The liver of an average-sized person can only break down one drink per hour. When you drink more alcohol than your liver can process, your blood alcohol concentration increases.
As the blood alcohol concentration increases, the effects on the body include:
- Dizziness
- Lack of coordination
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Passing out
When someone vomits when passed out, their airway can become blocked. This is extremely dangerous and can result in death.
Other Dangers of Binge Drinking
Excessive drinking also impairs judgment and can lead to risky sexual behavior, drowning, motor vehicle accidents, and other dangerous situations.
Research has also uncovered these startling statistics each year related to college students and binge drinking:[4]
- 1,825 college students die from alcohol-related unintentional injuries, including motor-vehicle crashes.
- 696,000 college students were assaulted by a peer who was drinking.
- 97,000 college students reported an alcohol-related sexual assault or date rape.
When people choose to binge drink, they also increase their risk of suicide, high blood pressure, heart attack, involvement with police, and inflammation of the stomach, pancreas, brain, or spinal cord.[4] Excessive drinking can also result in poor academic performance.
Factors That Contribute to Binge Drinking in College
College can be a liberating time for young adults as many move away from home for the first time. When this happens, they may try to test the limits without their parents. The beginning of their first year can be a time when a lot of binge drinking occurs. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the first six weeks of a student’s college life is a vulnerable time for harmful and underage drinking.[5]
Some colleges that have high-profile sports programs may also see high drinking rates. Students may drink more at college if they live at a fraternity or sorority house.[4]
College students may drink to feel socially accepted, especially in a new environment. As they work to make friends and stand independently, they may feel as though drinking is the only way to fit in. They may also have a fear of missing out on something, even when they don’t realize the dangerous consequences binge drinking can have.
Stress relief can be another factor in binge drinking among teens. The stress of a college environment and trying to excel can also lead to binge drinking.
How to Reduce Binge Drinking Among College Students
Have an Open Conversation
Parents should have an open conversation with their teens about the dangers of binge drinking. Assuming that they know can lead to harmful consequences. Educate yourself about the risks of binge drinking so you can pass that knowledge down to a friend. Trying to connect with someone who has gone through the recovery process can also serve as a deterrent for this behavior. Local treatment centers may be able to connect you with people who can help in this way.
Know Your Limits
If young adults are of legal drinking age, they should know their limits. Testing the limits of binge drinking is not a responsible choice.
Change Environment
When young adults put themselves in an environment where there is heavy drinking, they need to change their environment. This will reduce the pressure to drink and will allow them to find friends who don’t have these dangerous habits.
Practice Saying No
Teens and young adults can practice saying no to alcohol. Sometimes, they may freeze in situations and be unprepared with the right words to turn down a drink. By giving them time and practice scenarios to say no, they’ll know what to do when confronted with a choice to drink.
Mindfulness Exercises
Practicing mindfulness exercises may help to reduce binge drinking. Studies show that those who have taken part in mindfulness exercises showed less of a risk of binge drinking than those who have not.[6] More research still needs to be done in this area.
Seek Help for a Drinking Problem at Ember Recovery
Ember Recovery provides teens and young adults with the resources they need to combat substance use disorders. If you or your child has developed a problem due to binge drinking, our team is here to help. We provide a wide range of programs so our clients can find the one that best suits them. The Ember Recovery team understands that each substance use disorder is different and that treatment needs to reflect that. We work with our clients to uncover the best solutions. We also give our clients the tools they need to remain sober after they leave our treatment facility.
Contact us today to learn more about our programs for youth and young adults ages 12-24. Ember Recovery has helped thousands of teens and young adults. Let us help you and yours.
Sources:
[1] https://www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov/statistics/prevalence [2] https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/overview-alcohol-consumption/moderate-binge-drinking [3] https://www.healthline.com/health-news/what-happens-to-your-body-when-you-binge-drink#Short-term-effects [4] https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=the-dangers-of-binge-drinking-1-1924 [5] https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/time-for-parents-discuss-risks-college-drinking [6]https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/can_mindfulness_reduce_binge_drinking_at_colleges
Andrea Dickerson is a Licensed Therapist and Certified Substance Use Counselor who has worked in behavioral health since 1997. Currently, Andrea is the Director of Behavioral Health, overseeing the Ember residential treatment programs and YSS outpatient counseling clinics throughout Central and North Central Iowa. She became a Motivational Interviewing (MI) trainer in 2006 and provides MI trainings throughout Iowa.
Andrea specializes in working with adolescents and their families and enjoys seeing the family relationships grow through therapy. Andrea is also a CARF International Surveyor, going around North America ensuring behavioral health organizations are meeting required standards.
In her free time, Andrea enjoys cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes and Chicago Cubs, as well as being an active member of Soroptimist International of the Americas (SIA), a global organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment. She has been a member of the SI of Des Moines club since 2012 and has been actively involved at the regional level, currently serving as Co-Governor of the Peaks to Plains Region.
Through her involvement in SIA, Andrea has been actively involved in the Dream Programs, coordinating annual Dream It, Be It: Career Support for Girls projects, which give girls the tools they need to achieve their education and career goals, empowering them to break cycles of poverty, violence, and abuse.