The News Argus

Issue date: 9/24/07 Section: Health & Fitness

Media Credit: MCT Wire Service College students are more likely than others to binge drink.

Binge drinking refers to the heavy consumption of alcohol over a short period of time. The generally accepted definition of binge drinking is the consumption of five or more drinks in a row by men _ or four or more drinks in a row by women _ at least once in a 2-week period. Heavy binge drinking includes three or more such episodes in 2 weeks.

College students are more likely than other people the same age to binge drink. There are several reasons why some students binge drink. Being away from home and parental supervision for the first time, some students might think drinking is an expression of newfound freedom _ even a sign of adulthood. Some students also use alcohol in an attempt to relieve stress and help them adjust to their new life.

Students may drink to fit in, too. On some college campuses, fraternities, sororities, and athletes set the social culture _ and drinking is often encouraged. To feel accepted by these groups, students may become part of the drinking culture.

Also, liquor stores, bars, and alcohol distributors make drinking seem attractive and fun. Although they claim to be advertising only to people of legal drinking age, sellers of alcohol aim much of their advertising and promotional campaigns at students of all ages, particularly in college towns.

Besides hangovers and not enough sleep, binge drinking can lead to missed classes, difficulty concentrating, memory lapses, mood changes, and other problems that affect your day-to-day life.
Longer-lasting risks include:

ALCOHOL POISONING
This is the most immediate and life-threatening consequence of binge drinking. Alcohol poisoning happens when so much alcohol is consumed that the body's involuntary reflexes (like breathing and the gag reflex) are affected. If the gag reflex isn't working, a person who throws up risks choking to death on the vomit. Signs of alcohol poisoning can include extreme confusion or the inability to be awakened. Other symptoms include vomiting, seizures, slow or irregular breathing, low body temperature, and bluish or pale skin.

If you suspect someone has alcohol poisoning, seek help immediately by dialing 911. A person who has alcohol poisoning is in danger of dying or sustaining permanent

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