Presented by: Rincon Family Services

A pattern of drinking that brings a person’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08 grams percent or above. This typically happens when men consume 5 or more drinks, and when women consume 4 or more drinks, in about 2 hours.

• 1 in 6 adults binge drink about 4x/month (Consuming about 8 drinks per binge)

• About 92% of U.S. adults who excessively drink, report binge drinking in the past 30 days

• 70% of binge drinking episodes involve adults 26+ years

• Prevalence of binge drinking among men is 2x the prevalence among women

• Binge drinkers are 14x more likely to report alcohol-impaired driving than non-binge drinkers

• About 90% of the alcohol consumed by youth under 21, is in the form of binge drinking

• More than ½ the alcohol consumed by adults in the U.S. is in the form of binge drinks

• Binge drinking influences the ability to make smart decisions and promotes risk taking and violence.

• Poor decisions such as those involving short-term rewards coupled with long-term losses are made.

• There are many high-risk activities that might seem like fun when you’re drunk but can have serious consequences.

• More likely to engage in high-risk drinking that may result in hospitalization; use illicit drugs; drive dangerously; behave violently; and, engage in unwanted or dangerous sexual activity. Drinking too much may encourage you to start fights about things that might not seem important the next day.

• People who binge drink may experience embarrassment over behavior, unwanted and/or risky sexual behavior (pregnancy, STD, etc.), a criminal record, injury or a serious vehicle accident.

• Problems have been associated with mental skills such planning for the future, abstract reasoning, inhibiting or delaying responses, doing two things at once and shifting between activities.

• Alcohol lowers inhibitions, and some people are more likely to make poor decisions such as saying or doing inappropriate things, texting or calling people you shouldn’t, posting pictures or videos on a social networking site that really don’t need to be broadcasted, etc.

• Problem Drinker:– May be physical dependency or may go days or weeks without alcohol, but

drink a lot at one time.

– Developed pattern of drinking excessive amounts of alcohol in one sitting

• Social Drinker:– Drink alcohol responsibly in

a safe way

– Drink moderately by consuming reasonable amounts

in responsible situations

– Doesn’t develop a pattern of drinking over a period of

time and doesn’t drink too much at one time

• Short-term memory loss and forgetting events that occurred while drinking.

• Activity: assume the role of someone who has been binge drinking. The rest of the group will read a sign describing a specific behavior that one of you displayed while you were drinking. Treat the volunteer according to the role he/she has assumed. Give hints about events that occurred, without being obvious or directly stating what happened.

• Binge drinking more often than not results in negative emotions. What are some negative emotions you have experienced while excessively drinking?

• Negative emotions can range from guilt, shame, embarrassment, remorse, etc.

Unintentional injuries (car crash, fall, burn, drowning)Intentional injuries (firearm injuries, sexual assault, domestic violence)Alcohol poisoningSexually transmitted diseasesUnintended pregnancyHigh blood pressure, stroke, other cardiovascular diseasesLiver diseaseNeurological damageSexual dysfunction

• What are some events that may involve alcohol? What are some irresponsible ways to handle those events? What is a responsible way to handle them?

• Activity: Develop a safety plan for people attending a gathering that may involve alcohol. What is the event? Where is it taking place? Who is attending? Describe:

– Preventive strategies to avoid problems

– Potential problems that may occur

– A plan of action for responding to difficult situations