Issue 150

To binge or not to binge?

04th December 2006

'Tis the season to get trolleyed…but Christmas is a time when traditionally, we over-do it way too often. With the news that binge drinking has become a very large and widespread problem, and is one well associated with students. It's been a government health buzz-word for quite some time, but what's the actual problem?

Binge drinking is defined as drinking more than three times your daily limit; that's more than 6 units if you're a woman, and more than 9 if you're a man. Of course; this is just a guide; if you are underweight, for example, your alcohol tolerance is reduced.

A unit is 10ml of pure alcohol. It's about equivalent to one 25ml measure (remember, many pubs have switched to 35ml or even 50ml 'standard serve' measures), half a pint of beer or cider (no more than 4%) or a small glass (try buying a 125ml glass of wine in a pub, they're invariably larger) of wine no more than 12% alcohol by volume.

So: two pints, a glass of wine and three vodka and cokes in one sitting will push a girl over the limit and into a binge. And that's assuming the alcohol is standard strength: most popular beers are 5% and ciders are normally stronger.

When asked, most students will admit to binge drinking, although most claim not to realise the health risks involved.

The effects of binge drinking are worrying. Experts now believe that it is not actually the time spent drunk which damages the internal organs including the brain, but the time withdrawing from the alcohol which really hurts. So people who drink frequently, but less intensely, are doing less damage than someone who goes on a binge two or three times a week. The normal hangover advice; keeping hydrated and so on, is good for the symptoms of a withdrawal from alcohol but the toxins are doing their damage anyway. Apart from the health risks, there are other physical risks from getting blotto - alcohol affects reaction times and therefore more accidents happen. However, that's not the worst bit.

Emma Bartlett, Woman's Officer, says that binge drinking is something students should try to avoid. "Apart from all the health risks involved, people are very vulnerable when they're drunk to attack, mugging or drink spiking" She continued, "In fact, drinks being spiked with more alcohol is the most common form of spiking." Being less aware of your surroundings is dangerous and irresponsible, and being drunk leads people to make decisions they wouldn't normally do, such as take short cuts home or use unlicensed taxis. In extreme cases, women have suspected being raped, but unable to prove it because the woman was so drunk she couldn't remember whether she consented to the act or not.

There are other tragic stories too. In the early hours of Tuesday 28 November, Gavin Britton died alone on a pavement in Exeter after a night out with his university golf team. He was found already dead by police. They suspect his death was directly linked to alcohol. The police are questioning local licensees and bar staff.

The new personal licence for workers in the drinks industry involves an exam which includes education about responsible drinking. In response to Gavin's death, NUS vice-president Veronica King was quoted in the Telegraph as saying: "I cannot comment on this case but the issue of binge drinking is very serious. It does affect students as it does the rest of society and we are working to raise awareness of the dangers."

Although the drinks industry does have a responsibility to help curb binge drinking, it is up to the individual at the end of the night! Students often moan about getting drunk 'by accident'.

Emma has some tips for not letting yourself go over the edge. She recommends that people make a decision either to not drink before they go out, or just drink beforehand and switch to soft drinks or water once out. Try it; it's actually not impossible! You could also set a limit of how many drinks you will have: but this means sticking to it. Another idea is to alternate soft and alcoholic drinks. Simple steps like these mean you can still go out and enjoy a few drinks with friends, but you will be safer and hopefully your liver and heart will thank you for it too!

Recent reports suggest that binge drinking is slowing down, but as the figures quoted only reported a drop of 2%, Emma feels this is not enough, considering all the government publicity and campaigning being done by people like herself, saying "It is still a massive problem, which we're a long way off solving." This Christmas period, and end of term, have a great time, but don't forget to think before you drink!

Charlie Duff