According to recent studies released by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), nearly 32 million adults in the United States consumed more than twice the number of drinks considered binge drinking on at least one occasion in the past year.
Dr. George F. Koob, Director of the NIAAA, states, “This important study reveals that a large number of people in the United States drink at very high levels and underscores the dangers associated with such ‘extreme’ binge drinking. Of the nearly 90,000 people who die from alcohol each year, more than half, or 50,000, die from injuries and overdoses associated with high blood alcohol levels.”
The study goes on to report that binge drinking, at what is given as Level 1 drinking — defined as having four or more drinks on an occasion for women, or five or more drinks on an occasion for men — can produce blood alcohol levels greater than 0.08 percent, which is the legal limit for driving in the United States.
Reaching this Level 1 is well known to increase the risk of harms to the drinker and others.
Level 2 binge drinking is defined as having 8 to 11 drinks in a single setting, and Level 3 is considered as having 11 to 15 drinks in a setting.
The study goes on to tell us that drinking a such high levels can suppress areas of the brain that control basic life-support functions such as breathing and heart rate, thereby increasing one’s risk of death. The risk increases further if other sedative drugs, particularly opioids or benzodiazepines are added to the mix.
The researchers found that 39 percent of adult males and 27 percent of adult females reported binge drinking during the previous year. After controlling for age, race, sex marital status, education, drug use, and smoking, compared to people who did not binge drink, people who drank at the various binge levels were much more likely to experience an alcohol related emergency department visit; have an alcohol use disorder, be injured because of drinking, be arrested or have legal problems resulting from alcohol use, or be the driver in an alcohol-related traffic crash.
The final results of the research related that the prevalence of drinking at levels two and three times or more than standard binge drinking in the past year was significantly higher in the most recent wave, suggesting that more adults are engaging in extreme binge drinking now than a decade earlier.
Dr. Ralph Hingson, director of the NIAAA division of Epidemiology, who led the research, relates that, “As a society, we are justifiably concerned about extreme binge drinking among underage individuals and college students.
This study indicates that other groups in the U.S. population also engage in this harmful behavior and are at increased risk for adverse consequences.”
The alcohol problem in the United States is so vast it takes huge numbers to describe it. Of the over 150 million Americans who currently drink, over 10 million are under age 20.
By the senior year of high school, 80 percent reportedly have used alcohol, and 62 percent have reported being drunk, and 6.9 million have reported binge drinking. One in every 5 teenagers and young adults in the United States is experiencing, or has experienced, problems with alcohol. Up to 24 percent of teens nationwide report alcohol abuse is a tremendous problem in their schools. Nine out of 10 teenagers and young adults have drunk alcohol at least once. On an average day 7,540 12-17 year old children will drink alcohol for the first time. Ethyl alcohol, the alcohol consumed in alcohol beverage, is a toxic chemical. Drinking a lot in a short time, such as “chugging” from a “beer bong,” has been known to cause sudden death. Even drinking a moderate amount over a long period of time can be fatal. Alcohol can prevent the liver from doing its metabolic functions. It can destroy brains cells. It can affect the operation of muscles, including the heart, and the kidneys. It can cause vision problems. It can damage sexual and reproductive functioning.
As a toxic chemical, foreign to our bodies, it always changes our normal body processes. Alcohol is especially dangerous for young people. They are most likely to lose control because their behavior patterns and personalities are still developing. Their bodily tissues are not fully formed. They are at high risk for bodily damage from over-consumption, “chug-a-lug” or “chugging,” drinking from “beer bongs,” and trying to impress others by drinking more, faster; binge drinking.
We who live In the Rio Grande Valley are no strangers to the consumption of alcohol beverage. While the majority of people who choose to consume alcohol do so in a responsible manner, many do not…often engaging in binge drinking. The Valley region has the highest rates of beer consumption in our State, and even exceeds the rates of our nation. This is spurred on by advertising by the brewery industry, and by the events they sponsor; and by the cultural factors.
Not only do the “Spring Breakers” cause this high rate, but one will find beer consumption at the Quincinera’s, the barbecues, at Pechanga’s, during the holiday periods, and other family and organization functions. Everyone is exposed to the consumption of alcohol beverage here…and everyone has been exposed to binge drinking at one point or another; and this includes our young population.
If you desire to know more about alcohol and alcoholism, I suggest that you read my book, “MORE Straight Talk…” I offer this book free of charge to civic organizations, and other groups concerned with the subject. The book is available at all on-line and reality major books sellers, and available from me (the best way).
Drop me a line at rjonessr29@ att.net should you be interested in obtaining the book for your organization, or purchasing the book.
If you, a family member, or friend is having problems with alcohol; I suggest you call the Substance Abuse Center of Tropical Texas Behavioral Health at 1-800-813-1233; or their crisis hotline at 1-877-2897199. Another center you may wish to talk with is the Recovery Center of Cameron County, at 956-5480028. Help is always in reach in our communities.
Until Next Time, Stay Healthy My Friends!
