Women now binge drinking more than men for first time in history, doctor warns
Amy DeLaura
Video Embed
EXCLUSIVE — For the first time in history, women are outpacing men in binge drinking, which is a growing concern among health officials as overall drinking for young adults is on the rise. As the pandemic came to an end, they seem to be drinking more than ever.
In 2020, during the pandemic, we saw a continuing decline in binge drinking among college-age students. Most were isolated or at home as classes moved online. Group activities or parties where drinking would be prevalent simply were not happening.
VIRAL TIKTOK ‘BORG’ BINGE DRINKING TREND BECOMES TOXIC ON CAMPUSES
“In 2021, there has been an uptick, particularly among women. Now it turns out on college campuses women are actually binge drinking more than men, for the first time in history,” said Dr. George F. Koob, director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
Koob said while drinking overall was down during the pandemic, deaths associated with alcohol were up 25% for not just college students but the general population. Koob believes isolation contributed to mental health problems and substance abuse across the board.
However, now we’re back. People are going to parties, and colleges and bars are open again. Restaurants are serving bottomless brunch, and wineries and breweries are ready to pour.
“It’s what we call the alcohol deprivation effect. People tend to really rebound in drinking after a period of not drinking.” Koob said. “We are a little concerned that this spring and spring break is going to be a return to a good amount of binge drinking. I just want to caution everyone that when you start hitting the binge drinking level you start doing really bad things to your body.”
So, where does this leave this new group of women who are binge drinking more than ever before? Koob said knowing what a standard drink is and your limit is important to taking care of your health.
“A standard drink is 1.5 ounces of vodka, 12 ounces of beer, or five ounces of wine,” said Koob. “When you go past a standard drink, you really are getting to the point where alcohol ultimately becomes a toxin. You can easily overdose.”
As social media trends encourage dangerous “hacks” to binge drinking, including the viral “BORGs” or “blackout rage gallons” which combine water, electrolytes, and vodka, TikTok is specifically pushing the misconception that this drink will keep you hydrated while drinking copious amounts of liquor.
“Somehow, we got to get across to the public that these are not evidence-based ideas and get the word out about the real evidence-based data we know about alcohol.”
Koob said so-called “borgs” are not unique and will not help the body process the alcohol any better or faster. In fact, consuming half a gallon of vodka, as the recipe calls for, is deadly.
“You can kill yourself basically,” he warned. “Individuals who engage in binge drinking, high-intensity drinking — 8 drinks for females, 10 drinks for males — you’re approaching danger levels for your life.”
Koob makes clear, however, that no one is excepting you to stop drinking. It’s, after all, a staple in our society: the housewarming gift of wine, the spiced bourbon gifted to your groomsmen, mimosas at brunch, popping champagne for a birthday, and beers after work to unwind.
“Alcohol is a social lubricant. It’s pervasive in our society,” Koob said. “You’ll find it at practically every medical conference, professional conference, [and] board room in the country.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
However, Koob encourages people to rethink their drinking in order to help them evaluate their relationship with alcohol.
“Staying within the dietary guidelines when it comes to drinking really becomes critical if you want to stay healthy.”