Binge drinking

• Binge drinking can begin around age 13 (CDC)
• What is a drink? A standard glass of wine is 5 ounces, a standard beer is 12 ounces, and a standard shot is 1 to 1.5 ounces.
• What is binge drinking? For males, it is consuming five or more drinks in about a two-hour period and four or more drinks for females in a two-hour period.
• Nationally, 1 out of 4 youth ages 18-24 engage in binge drinking (CDC, 2018)
• In Indiana, 49% of college students age 18-21 reported consuming alcohol in the past month  (Indiana College Substance Use Survey, 2019)
• 33% of Indiana college students reported binge drinking in the past two weeks (Indiana College Substance Use Survey, 2019)
• First-year college students are at higher risk for drinking

Health risks

• Alcohol poisoning leading to injury or death
• Irregular heartbeat or heart failure
• Vomiting/choking on your own vomit
• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels)
• Hangover
• Blacking out
• Engaging in unprotected sex
• Missing classes or assignments
• Being hurt or injured because of your or others’ drinking

Long-term health risks

• Anemia and a suppressed immune system
• Decreased calcium absorption, leading to weak bones
• Increased risk of anxiety and depression
• Reduced fertility in men and women
• Drinking while pregnant can lead to fetal alcohol syndrome
• Malnutrition, as vitamins and nutrients are not able to be absorbed and appetite is decreased

Parent questions

• What parents need to know about college binge drinking
• What can a parent of college students do?
  • Know the neighborhood where your student lives at college – how many bars are in the area?
  • Do these bars have drink specials like “penny ‘til you pee” or “quarter beer”?
  • What office or department on campus can provide resources to you and your student? These are usually residence life, student wellness or counseling offices.
  • Does your student’s school have policies against underage drinking? What are the consequences for getting caught? Are parents informed?
  • What programs are in place to help your student make the best decisions about drinking?
• Tips for parents
  • Have regular communication – set times to text or call
  • Encourage open communication on alcohol use – don’t make it a “one time” lecture
  • Contact the office that provides help and resources, if you or your student should need it
  • Make sure your student knows the signs of alcohol poisoning and what to do
  • Make sure your student has “an escape plan” if they’re at a party and want to leave