Binge Drinking

Binge Drinking an Early Problem in Many Young Adults’ College Careers

By October 13, 2015No Comments

It is Important for Parents to Talk With College Freshman About Risks Associated With Binge Drinking

binge drinkingMost colleges around the country have been in session for over a month. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), the first month and a half of a students first year at college is the time when they are most likely to engage in binge drinking.

Binge drinking is defined as four or more consecutive drinks for a female and five or more consecutive drinks for a male. National surveys reveal that 60 percent of 18-22 year olds in college have consumed alcohol within the past month and 40 percent admit binging. The legal age for drinking remains 21. It’s important to note that these results are among college students since studies show that kids in post-secondary education are more likely to drink and drive and binge drink compared to non-college young adults of the same age.

Freshmen in their first six weeks of college face a great risk for binge drinking and many alcohol-related issues. When these young people abuse alcohol they are also more apt to be injured, assaulted and be the victim of sexual assault or rape. Each year 1,825 college kids (ages 18-24) die in an alcohol-related car crashes. Another 599,000 are injured due to drinking and 97,000 are sexually assaulted after drinking.

On the positive side, just because you’ve sent a son or daughter off to their freshman year of college, these risks don’t have to involve your child. Research shows that one of the greatest protections against alcohol abuse is parents who talk with their children about the risks of alcohol. If you would like some facts about young people, alcohol and binge drinking, we can help. Stop by Family Guidance Center and we can give you the information you need to help protect your child against binge drinking.