Binge drinking: an exploration of a confused concept

Abstract

Binge drinking is a matter of current social, media and political concern, and the focus of much policy activity in the UK. Binge drinking is associated with causing a wide range of harm to individuals (e.g. accidents), and the wider community (e.g. crime and disorder). Within the current discourse, binge drinking is seen primarily as a youth issue. Binge drinking is sometimes portrayed as a recent phenomenon, but we know from history that heavy drinking has been endemic in British society over many centuries. Using a contemporary history perspective, this paper explores the concept of binge drinking. It considers the definitions in use, recent shifts in meaning and also the way in which different definitions of binge drinking impact on perceptions of the extent and nature of binge drinking. The paper concludes with some thoughts and questions about the usefulness of the concept of binge drinking as it currently used, and areas for further research.

Personalized Feedback Based on a Drink‐Pouring Exercise May Improve Knowledge of, and Adherence to, Government Guidelines for Alcohol Consumption

“…Excessive alcohol consumption is linked to a higher risk of acute adverse outcomes such as accidents and injuries, as well as numerous chronic health conditions (Jones et al, 2008;Hosking & Benger, 2013). Excessive alcohol consumption among young people is a particular focus of concern, because young people are more likely than older adults to engage in heavy episodic drinking, also known as "binge drinking" (Herring, Berridge & Thom, 2008;Nicholls, 2010;White et al, 2011). Heavy episodic drinking is associated with an increased risk of alcohol poisoning, accidents and injury, and being the victim or perpetrator of violence (Boles & Miotto, 2003;Cherpitel et al, 2003;).…”

A working memory bias for alcohol-related stimuli depends on drinking score.

“…In addition to the small sample size, the exclusion of female participants limits the generalizability of our findings. In the light of the reported sex differences in susceptibility to intoxication and differences in cut-off scores (e.g., Emslie et al, 2009;Herring et al, 2008;Wechsler et al, 1995) it was a rational a priori decision to focus on male participants only to facilitate a first "proof of existence" of the AMB. Finally, the use of nonclinical alcohol users highlights the potential importance of the AMB in relation to casual alcohol use and the early stages of chronic alcohol abuse, however further investigations are required to shed light on how the AMB might generalize to clinically diagnosed heavy drinkers.…”

“…All participants gave written informed consents and received payment or course credits for their participation. We restricted the sample to male participants for two reasons: (1) to avoid the issue of gender differences in drinking definitions and sex-specific cut-off scores (Emslie, Lewars, Batty, & Hunt, 2009;Herring, Berridge, & Thom, 2008;Wechsler, Dowdall, Davenport, & Rimm, 1995), (2) the issue of female sensitivity to the neurotoxic effects of alcohol remains unresolved (for review see Oscar-Berman & Marinkovic, 2007;Squeglia, Schweinsburg, Pulido, & Tapert, 2011). Six participants were removed because of low accuracy on the WM task (ϳ50% indicating guessing) or largely discrepant alcohol questionnaire responding (suggesting miscomprehension or nonveridical responding).…”

Definición del concepto de consumo intensivo de alcohol adolescente (binge drinking)

“…Así, por ejemplo, mientras que en Portugal se podría emplear el mismo punto de corte que en EEUU, la UBE utilizada en Reino Unido obliga a definir el CIA como el consumo de 8 ó más bebidas para hombres y 6 ó más para mujeres en una única ocasión en la última semana 48,49 .…”