Dangerous, Unhealthy, Unpredictable
by Karyn Brodsky
There is a troubling trend occurring on college campuses today, and it’s not related to education. Binge drinking has skyrocketed, and the consequences are concerning.
In the United States, binge drinking is the most prevalent form of excessive alcohol consumption. As defined by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, “Binge drinking is a pattern of drinking that raises a person’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08 percent or higher. This generally occurs when men consume five or more drinks and women consume four or more drinks within about two hours.”
So, what is driving this phenomenon on college campuses? John Lieberman, CEO of Visions Adolescent Treatment Centers in Malibu, California, explains that as students go off to school, their access to alcohol increases. He also observes that today’s college students come from a generation of parents who engaged in more illicit drug use than previous generations, leading to a diminished perception of the risks associated with binge drinking for their children.
The statistics tied to binge drinking are alarming. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that:
• One in six adults in the U.S. binge drinks approximately four times a month, averaging eight drinks per binge.
• Binge drinking is more prevalent among individuals with household incomes of $75,000 or more compared to those with lower incomes.
• Men are twice as likely to engage in binge drinking as women.
• Binge drinkers are 14 times more likely to report driving under the influence than non-binge drinkers.
• Roughly 90% of alcohol consumed by those under 21 and more than half of that consumed by adults in the U.S. comes from binge drinking.
While many adolescents and college students view binge drinking as harmless fun, they overlook the serious health risks involved, including:
• Unintentional injuries (such as car accidents, falls, burns, and drowning)
• Intentional injuries (including firearm injuries, sexual assault, and domestic violence)
• Alcohol poisoning
• Sexually transmitted infections
• Unplanned pregnancies
• Birth defects linked to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
• High blood pressure, stroke, and other heart-related diseases
• Liver damage
• Neurological harm
• Sexual dysfunction
• Poor diabetes management
Lieberman cites a joint study from the University of California San Diego and Stanford University indicating that “binge drinking negatively impacts girls more than boys, particularly regarding tests involving working spatial memory.” This study suggests that brain damage is often worse for girls— even occasional binge drinkers may experience brain impairment. Binge drinking can lead to brain damage in young men as well since the teenage brain remains highly adaptable and takes longer to mend than an adult’s.
Lieberman advises parents to actively monitor where their teenagers are and whom they are with while also engaging them in direct conversations. “We safeguard four-year-olds with protective measures, yet a four-year-old poses less potential for harm than a 15-year-old,” he comments. “The brain of a 15-year-old isn’t fundamentally different from that of a four-year-old, but we grant them more independence.”
He points out that texting and phone calls are insufficient; various programs and apps can disguise a teen’s location on their phone. “Parents must build trust with their children, but they should also verify their whereabouts and activities,” Lieberman suggests.
Source: John D. Lieberman, MA I/O Psych
Visions Adolescent Treatment Center
www.Visionsteen.com | 866.889.3665
John D. Lieberman has contributed to major media outlets including US News and World Report, The Today Show, Teen Vogue, Inside Edition, and the Dr. OZ Show. He is dedicated to promoting evidence-based treatment and providing families with essential, timely information.
