Binge drinking is commonly defined as drinking alcohol solely for the purpose of intoxication. However, it is quite common for binge drinking to apply to a social situation, creating some overlap in social and binge drinking. Binge drinkers may or may not be alcoholics, although the definition of an alcoholic is also subjective. Binge drinking can be life threating.

Definition

There are many definitions of what constitutes binge drinking. Consuming five drinks in one sitting is a fairly common definition, although the number of drinks often varies depending on the attitude of the person making the definition.

Other people consider such factors as social setting, how quickly the drinks were consumed, the type of drinks and perhaps even the drinker's age and body type when defining binge drinking.

Binge drinking and crime

Binge drinking is often associated with crime, particularly street fights after the closing time of clubs and bars.

Prevalence of binge drinking

North America

United States

College students are sometimes seen as having a propensity to binge-drink, especially in the United States, despite the fact that the U.S. drinking age is 21. Common participants include athletes and fraternity/sorority members, particularly after final examinations, varsity wins, and during spring break.

Some common reasons for this propensity for binge drinking is that many college students are living on their own for the first time, free of parental supervision, among peers, especially those of the opposite sex.

Some people argue that binge drinking happens in the U.S. not in spite of the strict underage drinking laws, but rather because of it. Proponents of a lower drinking age argue that strict drinking laws drive underage drinkers underground, instead of in a licensed establishment where they will be better supervised and under less pressure to binge. Proponents of the drinking age at 21 dismiss such arguments and argue that underage binge drinking should be curtailed through strict enforcement of the laws against it.

The U.S. state where binge-drinking is most prevalent is North Dakota, where the 2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health estimated that 31 percent of residents ages 12 and older had engaged in binge drinking, defined as the consumption of five or more drinks in a sitting at least once in the last 30 days. The survey found that the lowest binge-drinking rate in the U.S. was in Utah; this is attributed in part to the large Mormon population there and some restrictive state laws.

Canada

Elsewhere

Europe

In most of Europe, children and adolescents routinely experience alcohol much earlier than in the U.S., and often with parental approval and supervision. The drinking age in most countries is 18, and in many jurisdictions younger people can purchase certain types of alcohol in certain settings, such as in a restaurant with a parent. Parents may also choose to provide beverages such as diluted wine with a meal to encourage responsible use of alcohol. Nevertheless, binge drinking is quite common among college students, as it is the case in the United States. In is not uncommon for students in Belgium to go party wildly (ou "aller en guindaille") in the local equivalent of frat houses ("cercles").

United Kingdom

In most European nations, binge drinking is usually seen to be less of a problem than it is in the United States. However, in the UK it is becoming a massive problem. In response, the government has introduced measures to deter disorderly behavior and sales of alcohol to people under 18, with special provisions in place during the holiday season. In January 2005, it was reported that 1 million admissions to UK accident and emergency units each year are alcohol-related; in many cities, Friday and Saturday nights are by far the busiest periods for ambulance services.

In 2005, the Licensing Act 2003 comes into effect in the UK, partly intended to tackle binge drinking. Some observers however believe it will exacerbate the problem.de:Trinkkultur is:Lotudrykkja