Binge Drinking

In recent years there has been a growing concern about the way we drink alcohol and the phrase ‘Binge Drinking' has now entered our vocabulary as the way we to describe what seems to be coming the norm in British drinking culture. It's not only us though and experts in the alcohol field have linked our drinking patterns as being similar to other Northern European drinking cultures.

So why has our drinking gone up in recent years and why have we adopted this style of drinking? Research says that women's drinking has increased significantly probably due to the social changes that have taken place. Women are more financially independent and thus socially active and are putting off having children until there 30's and 40's. Wine bars and clubs today are appealing places for women to spend their leisure time. A recent report by the Institute of Psychiatry , Kings College , London found that 1 in 5 women binge drinks compared to 1 in 7 men.

 

Men's drinking overall hasn't increased greatly but men too are putting off having families until later life and have greater financial independence and thus have more time to indulge in drinking. A recent study found that binge drinking can account of for up to 40% of drinking occasions for men.

 

So changes in society have contributed to this rise. Another reason why we over indulge is the strength of alcoholic drinks today, most alcopops are fairly potent, and it is fashionable to drink designer beers over the 5% volume. So we don't have to have many to be over our limits. Just two bottles of a standard alcopops could take a woman past the safe daily limit and the UK has really fallen in love with these sweet tasting alcoholic beverages. The UK Alcopop Market was the biggest in the world last year worth £1bn.

 

 

These drinks are bad news for young people, as they are allowing them to consume higher levels of alcohol, with the taste masked with sugar and flavourings. With most alcopops averaging between 1.5 and 1.8 units it is easy to consume the equivalent of almost 2 shots of vodka with one bottle. Some experts fear an alcohol-related health time bomb – even now doctors are seeing people with severe liver damage who are only in their 20s and 30s – this didn't use to be the case. The safe drinking message is even harder for young people too because there is no safe limit identified for them. Their bodies are not fully developed and their organs cannot cope with alcohol in the same way a healthy adult can.

Most young people who binge drink are also really just following by example, they are virtually copying the drinking patterns of adults. It seems to be engrained in our culture to wind down on a Friday at the end of the working week with alcohol and this can continue into the weekend.

 

So what is a binge?

It is difficult to define what a binge is as the Dept of Health in the UK has yet to offer a figure. Some researchers suggest that anything over the daily limits 2 to 3 units for women and 3 t o 4 for men constitutes a binge. Alcohol concern the main organisation which offers advice on alcohol suggests that up to 6 units for women and 8 units could serve as an approximation for binge drinking.

 

People though find it hard to accept that consuming this amount or more is causing them any problems as it is not unusual for the majority of people to pass this limit on occasions.

 

Alcohol Concern has come up with a definition which might clarify some people's binge drinking:

They suggest a binge can be: “Drinking sufficient alcohol to reach a state of intoxication on one occasion or in the course on one drinking session.” This definition takes account of the instances of anti-social behaviour, drunken violence, accidents and that we've come to associate with our town centres.

However we frequently see binge drinkers at out service who drink well in excess of even the binge drinking limits, who have a high tolerance to alcohol and don't become intoxicated. They can continue to function with their lives fairly normally. These people don't get into trouble with the law and can have responsible jobs and families. What they are not aware off is the health problems they may be storing up for the future!

 

So why should we be worried about binge drinking?

There is a lack of research in this area but some studies have highlighted:

 

•  The links between binge drinking and cardiovascular disease. There are reports of heart attacks and strokes being more prevalent on Mondays! This could be linked to heavy weekend binge drinking.

•  Other health problems that have been associated with binge drinking include: - High blood pressure, diabetes, gastro problems, thrombosis, liver problems.

•  Mental health can also be affected with depression, anxiety and stress, sleep problems and memory loss

 

Binge drinking and society

•  There are thought to be up to 8-14 million work days lost each year in the UK as a result of drinking problems

•  Incidences of risky sexual behaviour e.g. Unprotected sexual encounters with 1 in ten drinkers being unable to remember whether they had sex the night before!

 

So what is the answer?

Everyone should be aware that alcohol which is without doubt our favourite drug taken in moderation can be enjoyed with no detrimental effects. In fact some studies have shown that moderate drinking can be beneficial for us, so we have to treat it with respect, as we do our other favourite things such as chocolate and high fat foods and consume it in moderation with the knowledge that it is a powerful and addictive substance. If you are worried about your own or someone else's drinking contact the Alcohol Advisory Service on 627656 for confidential advice & support.

 

If you have any specific questions or require further information, please feel free to contact us