Binge Drinking

Essay by PepsUniversity, Bachelor'sA-, March 2006

download word file, 9 pages 3.5

Abstract:

This paper will discuss 'binge drinking' in University Students, the major influences, both social and personal, on the frequency and quantity of drinking. The point of binge drinking is to become intoxicated, allowing for the 'positive things' to happen. Drinking has negative consequences, such as bad behaviours and Illness' but these are not considered, though they can be dangerous and jeopardize personal health.

Alcohol Expectancies and the Theory of Planned Behaviour both explain binge drinking behaviours, together they have shown excellent predictions regarding behaviour. Binge drinking is the consumption of a large amount of alcohol in one session. Wechsler, Dowdall, Davenport and Rimm (1995) state the amount varies for males and females, 5 (or more) standard drinks for males and 4 (or more) standard drinks for females. The standard drink consisting of "a 12 oz beer, a 4 oz glass of wine, a 12 oz cooler, or a 1.25

oz of liquor" (Ham and Hope, 2003) on its own or mixed with a non-alcoholic drink. O'Hare (1997) suggests that a minimum of 6 drinks per week is considered heavy drinking while Baer (2002) states that the current definition of binge drinking has two categories, the amount of alcohol consumed and the negative consequences associated with the consumed alcohol (Ham and Hope, 2003).

A major influence on students drinking are their peers, peers that have a positive attitude toward drinking, encourage it and are more likely to consume larger amounts of alcohol and more frequently (Ham and Hope, 2003). The larger social network, the higher the probability of drinking (Ham and Hope, 2003. Johnston and White, 2003), possibly due to higher number of invitations to social outings (parties, celebrations) where alcohol is provided or available. The frequency at which University Students drink is quite alarming, heavy drinkers consume large quantities...