2. Objectives  Define binge drinking  Explore who engages in binge drinking  Discuss risks associated with binge drinking  Review what to do for alcohol poisoning  Create strategies to avoid binge drinking

3. What is Binge Drinking? Heavy alcohol consumption over a short period of time Consumption of 5+ drinks in a row Consumption of 4+drinks in a row

4. What is a drink?

5. Who Binge Drinks? Most people who binge drink are not alcohol dependant 1 out of 6 adults binge drink about 4 times per month More common in young adults, ages 18-34 Although college students commonly binge drink, 70% of binge drinking episodes involve adults age 26 years and older

6. Why do people Binge Drink? » Curiosity—want to know what it’s like to drink alcohol » Believe it will make them feel good » May look at alcohol as a way to reduce stress » Want to feel older » Liquor stores, bars, & alcoholic beverage companies make drinking seem attractive & fun » Easy for high school students to get caught up in social scene

7. Risks Excessive drinking can lead to difficulty concentrating, memory lapses, & mood changes Alcohol poisoning Impaired judgment Physical health Mental health

8. Problems Unintentional injuries –Car crashes, falls, burns, drowning Intentional injuries –Firearm injuries, sexual assault, domestic violence Alcohol poisoning Sexually transmitted diseases Unintended pregnancy Children born with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders High blood pressure, stroke, & other cardiovascular diseases Liver disease Neurological damage Sexual dysfunction Poor control of diabetes

9. ALCOHOL POISONING

10. Alcohol Poisoning A person’s BAC can continue to rise even while he/she is passed out Alcohol depresses nerves that control involuntary actions such as breathing and the gag reflex Common for someone who drank excessive alcohol to vomit; danger of choking on vomit

12. Critical Signs Extreme confusion Inability to be awakened Vomiting Seizures Slow or irregular breathing Low body temperature Bluish or pale skin

13. What Should I Do? Know the danger signals Do not wait for all the symptoms to be present Be aware that a person who has passed out may die If there is any suspicion of an alcohol overdose, call 911 for help Don’t try to guess the level of drunkenness

14. What NOT to do? Never leave someone to sleep it off Never give them coffee Never make them sick Never walk them around Never put them in a cold shower Never let them drink any more alcohol

15. What Can Happen? Victim chokes on his/her own vomit Breathing slows, becomes irregular, or stops Heart beats irregularly or stops Hypothermia Hypoglycemia leads to seizures Untreated severe hydration from vomiting can cause seizures, permanent brain damage, or death

17. Fishbowl Activity