Binge Drinking

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Alcohol is the most widely used recreational drug in Australia. Because of its popularity, people don't tend to think of it as a drug, or even realise that it can be harmful. But alcohol is the largest cause of drug-related deaths among Australian teenagers.

According to a report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, alcohol is second only to tobacco as a preventable cause of drug-related death and hospitalisation.

The report also stated that alcohol is responsible for 13 per cent of all deaths among 14–17-year-old Australians. It has been estimated that one Australian teenager dies and more than 60 are hospitalised each week from alcohol-related causes.

What is Binge Drinking?

The term 'binge drinking' can mean different things to different people, but some common definitions are:

  • Drinking so that you can deliberately get drunk
  • Occasional and irregular bouts of heavy drinking
  • Normally being a responsible drinker, but often overindulging

A survey of Australian secondary students in 2005 found that one in ten people between the age of 12 and 17 admitted to binge drinking, or drinking unsafe amounts of alcohol. For people between 16 and 17 the figure increased to one in five. That's six binge drinkers in every average school classroom.

Stay in Control

The best tip for staying healthy is to avoid alcohol, but if you do choose to drink, here are some ways to avoid bingeing and getting out of control:

  • Set yourself a limit on how much you will drink and stick to it
  • Have something to eat before you go out
  • Don't drink too fast - sip, don't gulp
  • Have one drink at a time
  • Have a "spacer" between each alcoholic drink - something nonalcoholic like soft drink or even a glass of water
  • Don't drink alone - stay with your friends and look after each other
  • Stay active - do something else besides drinking (e.g. dancing, talking with mates, going for a walk, playing games, watching DVDs)
  • Don't accept drinks from people you don't know
  • Make sure you have at least two alcohol-free days every week
  • Avoid drinking cocktails if you're not sure how much or what kinds of alcohol are in them
  • Remember that alcopops might not taste like alcohol, but they are, and they still have the same effect as any other alcoholic drink
  • Think about the "cringe factor" - will you be embarrassed tomorrow by what you do tonight?

Drinking responsibly doesn't mean that you have to give up drinking altogether. It just means being aware of the risks involved in such a tempting and popular behaviour, and making decisions that will keep you happy and healthy.

For more about the social side of drinking and ways to help yourself and your friends keep nice on your night out, check out the Wingman website (new window).

Binge Drinking: The Risks

Regularly drinking large amounts of alcohol can damage your body, social life and relationships. You might think you're fine, but in fact you're not. And if you're under 18, the health risks are even more serious.

Some of the risks involved with binge drinking include:

  • Having accidents
  • Getting into fights or arguments
  • Missing work
  • Feeling depressed
  • Passing out
  • Loss of valuable and personal items like wallets, jewelery, phones and iPods
  • Having unsafe sex & unwanted pregnancy

Some of the long-term risks of binge drinking include:

  • Liver damage
  • Stomach ulcers
  • Sexual problems
  • Weight problems
  • Depression

Becoming Addicted

One of the most serious long-term risks of binge drinking is becoming dependent on alcohol, both physically and psychologically.

When this happens you feel as though your body can't function without alcohol, and drinking can become more important than anything else in your life. This is what is known as alcohol dependencey, or, more commonly, alcoholism.

If you or someone you know is addicted to alcohol you can get help through the Victorian Drug Services (new window) website or Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) (new window).

For more information on where to get help, check out our Alcohol page.

How Much is Too Much?

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) defines a "standard drink" as a drink that contains 10 grams of pure alcohol. Some examples of drinks that have this much alcohol in them include:

  • One pot (285ml) of full-strength beer
  • Three-quarters of a 375ml stubby of full-strength beer
  • One shot (30ml) of straight spirits
  • One small glass of table wine (100ml)
  • Three-quarters (330ml) of a bottle of alcoholic soda (alcopop)

This is just a guide. It's important to remember that some venues put more alcohol in their mixed drinks. Also, a big glass of wine is closer to two standard drinks, and drinks served at home generally have more alcohol in them. Some cocktails have more than one shot of alcohol in them too.

In terms of "how much is too much?", the NHMRC says that:

  • For males, drinking more than 7-10 standard drinks on any one day is risky
  • For females, drinking more than 5-6 standard drinks on any one day is risky

These guidelines are based on an average weight of around 60kg for males and 50kg for females. A person with smaller than average body weight or size should drink less than an average-sized person.

For more information about about standard drinks, check out Say When (new window) for lots of simple tools for staying in control of your drinking, including a drink check chart, a drink calculator, and tools to create and monitor your own drinking profile.

Links

Say When
Say When has lots of simple tools for staying in control of your drinking, including a drink check chart, a drink calculator and tools to monitor your own drinking profile.

Wingman
Are you a good wingman? Wingman has a lot of easy tips and tricks to help you and your mates keep nice when you're out for the night.

Better Health Channel - Alcohol
Information about alcohol consumption and how the body processes it.

Salvation Army - Binge drinking
Information and downloadable booklets about binge drinking and alcohol abuse.

Reach Out! - Binge drinking
An overview of the problem of binge drinking for young people.

DrugInfo Clearinghouse: Alcohol
A program of the Australian Drug Foundation that provides easy access to info about alcohol and other drugs.