Module 3

http://www.cdc.gov/CDCTV/BingeDrinking/

(video link)

http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/player.asp?f=1246462
http://www.cdc.gov/CDCTV/BingeDrinking/
CDC Podcasts: Binge Drinking

What is binge drinking?

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines binge drinking as
consumption that raises blood alcohol content to .08 percent .

OR//
It is defined as __4+ drinks per occasion per woman or 5+ drinks per occasion
per man ____________________________________________________________________

How many episodes of binge drinking are there in the U.S. per year?

there are approximately 1.5 billion episodes of binge drinking in the U.S. each year.
_____
Why is it a problem?
Binge drinking is associated with over half of the 79 thousand alcohol-attributable deaths
that we estimate occur in the United States each year.

This dangerous pattern of over-consumption contributes to illness, injury and death through car
crashes, violence, HIV/AIDS, and more.
Binge drinking is also associated with a wide range of health and social problems, including
unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, interpersonal violence, and other social
problems.

What is the difference between the public perception and medical

perception of binge drinking?

Most of the American public perceive binge drinking as acceptable

________________________________________________________________________________

Who are the biggest offenders?

____the wealthier part of society, who earn $50,000+ a year

________________________________________________________________________________

Why is binge drinking different from other social problems?

Module 3

It is widely available: alcohols the most widely available drug and intoxicant in our
society

It is not perceived of as being a problem

________________________________________________________________________________

Name two of the three solutions they suggested:

creating an environment that discourages underage and binge drinking.
maintaining and also enforcing the age 21 minimum legal drinking age.
fighting back against the proliferation of alcohol outlets, advertising, and drink
specials.
De-normalizing binge drinking as a pattern of alcohol consumption.
(any two of the above)

Module 3
Binge Drinking Page 1 of 2 April 2010

[Announcer] This podcast is presented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC safer, healthier people.
[Narrator] Today, more than half of the alcohol consumed by adults in the U.S. occurs during a
pattern of behavior known as binge drinking a risky behavior that can lead to illness . . .
injury . . . and even death.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines binge drinking as consumption that
raises blood alcohol content to .08 percent . . . the cut-off point for driving while impaired in all 50
states.
[Dr. Brewer] Binge drinking is an extremely dangerous pattern of alcohol consumption, which is
defined as four or more drinks per occasion for a woman, five or more drinks per occasion for a
man.
[Dr. Jernigan] and we estimate that there are approximately 1.5 billion episodes of binge drinking
in the U.S. each year.
[Narrator] Binge drinking literally fuels dangerous behavior. Binge drinkers are 14 times more
likely to report driving drunk than non-binge drinkers.
[Dr. Jernigan] Eighty eight percent of impaired driving events are caused by binge drinkers.
[Dr. Brewer] Binge drinking is associated with over half of the 79 thousand alcohol-attributable
deaths that we estimate occur in the United States each year.
[Narrator] Though many doctors consider binge drinking to be a dangerous health behavior, many
Americans think that binge drinking is socially-acceptable.
[Dr. Jernigan] Alcohol's the most widely available drug and intoxicant in our society.
[Narrator] This dangerous pattern of over-consumption contributes to illness, injury and death
through car crashes, violence, HIV/AIDS, and more.
[Dr. Brewer] Binge drinking is also associated with a wide range of health and social problems,
including unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, interpersonal violence, and the list
goes on and on.
[Narrator] The truth is that most binge drinkers are adults who drink too much on occasion.
[Dr. Brewer] We estimate that about 70 percent of the 1.5 billion episodes of binge drinking that
occur in the United States each year involve people that are 26 years and older.

Module 3

[Dr. Jernigan] The majority of, problems, of alcohol problems are caused by people who think
they're not problem drinkers.
[Dr. Brewer] There's good scientific evidence that over eighty percent of binge drinkers are not
alcohol-dependent or alcoholics.
[Narrator] Unlike other high-risk health behaviors, the risk of binge drinking goes up with socioeconomic status.
[Dr. Jernigan] In fact, binge drinkers most commonly make more than fifty thousand dollars a
year. Binge drinking is a problem for individuals, but its a problem that is engendered by
community environments that are supportive of this behavior.
[Dr. Brewer] We need to implement effective community-based strategies to prevent binge
drinking.
[Dr. Jernigan] The single most effective thing we could do to reduce binge drinking would be to
increase alcohol taxes.
[Dr. Brewer] So too is reducing the number of places where people can purchase alcohol in the
community.
[Dr. Jernigan] Reducing days and hours of sales is another important strategy.
[Narrator] Communities need to create an environment that discourages underage and binge
drinking.
[Dr. Brewer] We need to maintain and also enforce the age 21 minimum legal drinking age.
[Narrator] Armed with these strategies, communities can begin to fight back against the
proliferation of alcohol outlets, advertising, and drink specials.
[Dr. Brewer] We need to de-normalize binge drinking as a pattern of alcohol consumption.
[Dr. Jernigan] It is far too risky and harmful a pattern of drinking.
[Narrator] Binge drinking. It's a clear health threat for the drinkerand for society. Be responsible
to your family, your community and yourself. Don't binge drink.
[Announcer]For the most accurate health information, visit www.cdc.gov or call 1-800-CDC-INFO,
24/7.

Module 3

Timed writing
It is not unusual to hear of people binge drinking until they pass out and cannot
remember what they said or did. Why is binge drinking a problem? Give
examples you have heard about or know about from your own culture. What are
the solutions?
Write at least 250 words

Dictation:
Binge drinking is a risky behaviour that can lead to illness, injury and even death.
Most people think binge drinking is socially acceptable
Binge drinking is also associated with a wide range of health and social problems.
Communities need to create an environment that discourages underage and binge drinking.