Binge DrinkingBinge DrinkingINFORMATION AND INFORMATION AND

PREVENTIONPREVENTION

June 2008

Training ObjectivesTraining Objectives

Identify what binge drinking isIdentify what binge drinking is Identify reasons teens binge drinkIdentify reasons teens binge drink Recognize the dangers and risks of Recognize the dangers and risks of

binge drinkingbinge drinking Recognize the importance of teens Recognize the importance of teens

getting help for binge drinking getting help for binge drinking

What is Binge Drinking?What is Binge Drinking?

According to Kids Health, binge According to Kids Health, binge drinking is the heavy consumption of drinking is the heavy consumption of alcohol over a short period of time. alcohol over a short period of time.

Binge drinking consists of drinking 5 Binge drinking consists of drinking 5 or more drinks in a row, in a span of or more drinks in a row, in a span of two weeks for men. It is four drinks two weeks for men. It is four drinks for women in the same time period.for women in the same time period.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) report about 90% of the alcohol report about 90% of the alcohol consumed by youth under the age of 21 consumed by youth under the age of 21 in the United States, is in the form of in the United States, is in the form of binge drinks (5). binge drinks (5).

According to the U.S. Department of According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, studies Health and Human Services, studies show that more than 35% of adults with show that more than 35% of adults with an alcohol problem developed an alcohol problem developed symptoms—such as binge drinking—by symptoms—such as binge drinking—by age 19. age 19.

Heavy binge drinking is 3 or more Heavy binge drinking is 3 or more episodes in the span of two weeks.episodes in the span of two weeks.

Why Do Teens Binge Drink?Why Do Teens Binge Drink? Teens often binge drink due to: Teens often binge drink due to:

• Peer PressurePeer Pressure• CuriosityCuriosity• Want to escape their present life and Want to escape their present life and

stressstress• Thinks it will make them feel good, Thinks it will make them feel good,

but may not realize how sick they will but may not realize how sick they will be afterwardbe afterward

• Want to feel olderWant to feel older (Kids Health)(Kids Health)

Health Problems Due to Binge Health Problems Due to Binge DrinkingDrinking The CDC identifies the following The CDC identifies the following

health problems as consequences to health problems as consequences to binge drinking: binge drinking: Unintentional injuries (car crashes, Unintentional injuries (car crashes,

drowning, falls, burns, etc.)drowning, falls, burns, etc.) Intentional injuries (domestic Intentional injuries (domestic

violence, sexual assault, firearm violence, sexual assault, firearm injuries, etc.)injuries, etc.)

Alcohol PoisoningAlcohol Poisoning Sexually transmitted diseasesSexually transmitted diseases Unintended PregnancyUnintended Pregnancy Children born with Fetal Alcohol Children born with Fetal Alcohol

Spectrum disordersSpectrum disorders Liver DiseaseLiver Disease Neurological ProblemsNeurological Problems High blood pressure, stroke and High blood pressure, stroke and

other cardiovascular problemsother cardiovascular problems Poor control of diabetesPoor control of diabetes

Risks Associated with Binge Risks Associated with Binge DrinkingDrinking

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

(Kids Health)(Kids Health)

Other signs of Alcohol Poisoning: Other signs of Alcohol Poisoning: Bluish or pale skin Bluish or pale skin Extreme confusion Extreme confusion Vomiting Vomiting SeizuresSeizures Low body temperatureLow body temperature Slow or irregular breathingSlow or irregular breathing Inability to be awakenedInability to be awakened

Impaired judgment is another risk Impaired judgment is another risk associated with binge drinking. Those associated with binge drinking. Those who have been binge drinking may who have been binge drinking may drive drunk, or injure themselves or drive drunk, or injure themselves or others. others.

In 2000, roughly one third of In 2000, roughly one third of pedestrians 16 and older who were pedestrians 16 and older who were killed in traffic accidents were killed in traffic accidents were intoxicated. intoxicated.

Impaired judgment may also lead to Impaired judgment may also lead to unwanted pregnancy and sexually unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. transmitted diseases.

(Kids Health)(Kids Health)

Those who binge drink have a harder Those who binge drink have a harder time in school and are more likely to time in school and are more likely to drop out, than their fellow students. drop out, than their fellow students. Binge drinking can lead to a loss of Binge drinking can lead to a loss of concentration and a disruption in sleep concentration and a disruption in sleep patterns. patterns.

Binge drinking can affect personality Binge drinking can affect personality making people moody or angry. This making people moody or angry. This can directly affect relationships. can directly affect relationships.

Heavy binge drinkers (those who have Heavy binge drinkers (those who have three or more episodes of binge drinking three or more episodes of binge drinking in 2 weeks) have some of the symptoms in 2 weeks) have some of the symptoms of alcoholism. of alcoholism.

(Kids Health)(Kids Health)

Help for Binge DrinkersHelp for Binge Drinkers

According to Kids Health, if you know According to Kids Health, if you know someone who is binge drinking, get someone who is binge drinking, get help as soon as possible. Kids should help as soon as possible. Kids should talk to an adult they trust about the talk to an adult they trust about the problem. If they don’t feel comfortable problem. If they don’t feel comfortable talking to their parents, they can seek talking to their parents, they can seek out other adults such as school out other adults such as school counselors, teachers, doctors, clergy counselors, teachers, doctors, clergy members, or other adult relatives. members, or other adult relatives.

If a teen has been binge drinking and If a teen has been binge drinking and wants out, they must ask for help. A wants out, they must ask for help. A supportive friend or adult could help supportive friend or adult could help these teens to avoid pressure these teens to avoid pressure situations, stop drinking, or find situations, stop drinking, or find counseling. counseling.

Groups such as Al-Anon or Alateen Groups such as Al-Anon or Alateen can be a great source of support for can be a great source of support for teens. teens.

http://www.al-anon.alateen.org/http://www.al-anon.alateen.org/

(Kids Health)(Kids Health)

For More Information, Visit For More Information, Visit These WebsitesThese Websites Kids Health.com,Kids Health.com,

http://kidshealth.org/teen/drug_alcohol/alcohol/binhttp://kidshealth.org/teen/drug_alcohol/alcohol/binge_drink.htmlge_drink.html

About.com: Alcoholism,About.com: Alcoholism, http://alcoholism.about.com/cs/teens/a/blhbns040http://alcoholism.about.com/cs/teens/a/blhbns040516.htm516.htm

Center for Advancement of Health,Center for Advancement of Health, http://www.cfah.org/hbns/news/teen05-14-http://www.cfah.org/hbns/news/teen05-14-04.cfm04.cfm

U.S. Department of Health and Human U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,Services, http://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/facts.ashttp://ncadistore.samhsa.gov/catalog/facts.aspx?topic=159px?topic=159

Centers for Disease Control,Centers for Disease Control, http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/quickstats/binge_drinkihttp://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/quickstats/binge_drinking.htmng.htm

CNN.com,CNN.com, http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/08/07/binge.http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/08/07/binge.drinking.ap/index.htmldrinking.ap/index.html

Web MD,Web MD, http://www.webmd.com/parenting/news/20070http://www.webmd.com/parenting/news/20070102/teen-binge-drinking-common-and-risky102/teen-binge-drinking-common-and-risky

Health Alliance on Alcohol,Health Alliance on Alcohol, http://www.healthallianceonalcohol.com/downlhttp://www.healthallianceonalcohol.com/downloads/haa_talking_to_teens_underage_drinkingoads/haa_talking_to_teens_underage_drinking.pdf.pdf

Missouri Department of Social Services Missouri Department of Social Services State Technical Assistance TeamState Technical Assistance Team

Address:Address: PO Box 208PO Box 208

Jefferson City, MO 65102-Jefferson City, MO 65102-02080208

Telephone: Telephone: (573) 751-5980(573) 751-5980(800) 487-1626(800) 487-1626(8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST, (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST, Monday – Friday) Monday – Friday)

Email:Email:    dls.stat@dss.mo.govdls.stat@dss.mo.gov