What Are the Dangers of Binge Drinking for College Students?

Binge drinking seems to be a popular pastime. American adults consume approximately 75 percent of alcohol through binge drinking, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Though binge drinking may be done for fun, the consequences of the behavior may be dangerous to drinkers as well as to the public.

Alcohol Poisoning

• Binge drinking occurs when blood alcohol content reaches or exceeds 0.08 grams percent. This roughly happens when men drink more than five drinks in two hours and women drink more than four drinks in two hours, according to the CDC. This drinking pattern is the direct cause behind most cases of alcohol poisoning. Because alcohol is a depressant, excessive alcohol consumption slows down vital body processes like breathing and heart rate. Alcohol poisoning leads to symptoms such as confusion, vomiting, irregular breathing, low body temperatures, loss of consciousness and death, according to the Mayo Clinic. Survivors of alcohol poisoning, according to the Mayo Clinic, may develop permanent brain damage.

Health Problems

• Other life threatening injuries may also occur because of binge drinking, such as liver disease and neurological damage, according to the CDC. Binge drinking doesn't have just short-term consequences. Long-term health problems associated with binge drinking include heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure. What's more, diabetic students who binge drink may fail to control their diabetes.

Women's Health

• Co-eds are more in danger from binge drinking outcomes. Women who binge drink are more likely to be sexually assaulted. In fact, the Center for Science in the Public Interest reports that about 75 percent of college women who reported their rape were drunk at the time of assault. Excessive alcohol intake also impairs judgment, leading both women and men to engage in risky sexual behavior such as unplanned and unprotected sex. Because of the large amounts of alcohol involved, binge drinking may lead to fetal alcohol syndrome in unborn children.

Crime

• According to the CSPI, 13 percent of students who drive once a week have reported driving after consuming at least five alcoholic drinks. This puts not only the drinkers at risk but also pedestrians and other drivers. College campuses with high binge drinking rates also report more violence and property damages than campuses with low binge drinking rates. Heavy drinking is also associated with homicide and suicide.

Considerations

• The CDC reports that people who binge drink are not dependent on alcohol, most of the time. Though this behavior is not associated with alcohol dependency, students may develop problems socially and academically due to alcohol abuse. Most college campuses can address alcohol issues through counseling. Support groups may also be available.