Impaired Judgment
Binge drinking impairs judgment, so drinkers are more likely to take risks they
might not take when they're sober. They may drive drunk and injure themselves or others.
Driving isn't the only motor skill that's impaired, though. Walking is also
more difficult while intoxicated. In 2000, roughly one third of pedestrians 16
and older who were killed in traffic accidents were intoxicated.
People who are drunk also take other risks they might not normally take when they're
sober. For example, people who have impaired judgment may have unprotected sex,
putting them at greater risk of a sexually
transmitted disease (STD) or unplanned pregnancy.
Physical Health
Studies show that people who binge-drink throughout high school are more likely
to be overweight and have high blood pressure by the time they are 24. Just one regular
beer contains about 150 calories, which adds up to a lot of calories if someone drinks
four or five beers a night.
Mental Health
Binge drinkers have a harder time in school and they're more likely to drop out.
Drinking disrupts sleep patterns, which can make it harder to stay awake and concentrate
during the day. This can lead to struggles with studying and poor academic performance.
People who binge-drink may find that their friends drift away — which is
what happened with Chet and Dave. Drinking can affect personality; people might become
angry or moody while drinking, for example.
Alcoholism
Some studies have shown that people who binge-drink heavily — those who have
three or more episodes of binge drinking in 2 weeks — have some of the symptoms
of alcoholism.
Getting Help
If you think you or a friend have a binge-drinking problem,
get help as soon as possible. The best approach is to talk to an adult you trust —
if you can't approach your parents, talk to your doctor, school counselor, clergy
member, aunt, or uncle.
It can be hard for some people to talk to adults about these issues, so an alternative
could be a trusted friend or older sibling who is easy to talk to. Drinking too much
can be the result of social pressures, and sometimes it helps to know there are others
who have gone through the same thing.
If you're worried, don't hesitate to ask someone for help. A supportive friend
or adult could help you to avoid pressure situations, stop drinking, or find counseling.
Date reviewed: September 2016