Drugs & Alcohol

Binge Drinking

Did you know that you don’t have to be dependent on alcohol to abuse it? In fact, most people who abuse alcohol are not dependent on it at all.

One of the most common forms of alcohol abuse teens encounter is binge drinking. Binge drinking is any pattern of drinking that brings a person’s blood alcohol concentration to 0.08 grams percent or above. This happens when a person drinks a large amount of alcohol in a short amount of time.  A person’s BAC typically reaches 0.08 grams when guys consume more than four drinks and when women consume more than three.

That’s one game of beer pong.

Make no mistake: While alcohol in any quantity is unsafe and illegal for teens, it is especially dangerous for teens and adults alike in alike in large quantities – even more dangerous than many illegal drugs. While with just one drink you may merely feel warm, relaxed and more confident, eventually you can lose consciousness.

If you’re going to drink despite the criminal and health risks, be careful not to binge drink. Limit yourself. Ingesting enough alcohol in one setting can lead to alcohol poisoning and alcohol poisoning can lead to severe dehydration, respiratory depression and even death.

If you know someone who is binge drinking, tell them you are concerned. To learn more about alcohol and teens, visit thecoolspot.gov.

(SAMHSA)