Updated on October 2, 2020
The Obvious Negative Effects of Binge Drinking
Although teen binge drinking cannot be defined by one worldwide consensus, the most used definition is the consumption of 5 or more drinks for men and four or more drinks for women at one time. Binge drinking has a number of negative effects on society as a whole as well as the individual participating.
Some of the most negatively affected individuals are teen binge drinkers and more teens are binge drinking than you might think. According to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, more than 5 million high school students binge drink at least once a month.
What is Binge Drinking When Considering Teenagers
So what are some of the effect on teens for binge drinking? Well, there are a number of short term and long term effects that can alter a teen’s entire life. Some of the short-term physical effects include anything from vomiting and nausea all the way to alcohol poison. More long-term effects can occur as well, altering a person’s behavior and long-term physical health.
According to published reports in the Medical Journal Pediatrics, teens who binge drink are four times more likely than non-bingers to have been in a physical fight, to have been raped or to have experienced dating violence or to have attempted suicide. Teenage binge drinkers are also more likely to get in the car with someone who’s been drinking which also supports the reports that a third of all fatal road traffic accidents among 15- to 20-year-olds are associated with drinking alcohol.
Binge drinking in teenagers occurs for a number of reasons. It is most linked to social drinking and is often heightened because of drinking games at parties. Whatever the reasons may be it is clear that binge drinking is a problem among many teens and in a young adult’s life can cause negative effects that will last with them for years to come.
