Breanna Parks
Dr. Penque
English 1301.NT

12 November 2014

Binge drinking: Effects of under aged drinking
In mid to late 1990s, researchers began to focus on binge drinking throughout the United States. College administrators have come to realize binge drinking is becoming a huge public health problem and are working to determine the best intervention methods (Wechsler, 2001). Students are agreeing with administrators that this is becoming a more prevalent problem on campus.
Students are more prone to engage in binge drinking due to their belief of what they perceive their peers consider normal or acceptable behavior (Wechsler, 2001). There are other factors related to why students engage in binge drinking activities. Some believe there is a correlation with mood behaviors, physical activity (lack of or amount), and involvement in fraternities or sororities have been contributors (Reifman & Watson, 2003). In many cases students, family members, faculty, or peers do not realize the depth of the problem until it is too late.
One definition of binge is the consumption of 5 or more drinks on one occasion (Vickers, Patten, & Bonars, 2004). Wechsler (1994) indicated students define binge drinking as 6 drinks in a row for men and 5 for women. Binge drinking defined by most researchers is 5 or more drinks in a row for men and 4 or more for women. Reifman & Watson (2003) agree that studies consistently show the prevalence of consumption for binge drinking at a single sitting within the past 2 weeks of 5 or more drinks in a row for men, 4 or more for women. In this study, participants are identified as binge drinkers based upon interviews with students and faculty members, questionnaires, and individual perception. Turrisi, Padilla, and Wiersman (2000), found that both traditional and non-traditional freshman consume larger amounts of alcohol than to upperclassmen. Social norms also impact binge drinking. Student binge drinkers comprise nearly 50% of the campus enrollment (Sher & Rutledge, 2007). Student perception of their peers is another factor influencing binge drinking. Depressive behaviors, money, or campus activities may be contributors to binge drinking (Miller, 1999). Female students were more prone to binge drink due concerns about their weight gain or loss, depressive systems, or relationship issues (Young, Morales, & McCabe, 2005). Non-binge drinking students living on high-binge drinking campuses are twice as likely to be assaulted by a student using alcohol, three times more likely to have their property damaged, sleep or studying interrupted than are non-binge drinking students on low-binge campuses (Wechsler, 2001). If they were binge drinkers in high school, they were three times more likely to binge in college. Students more likely to binge drink are white, 23 or younger, and involved in a fraternity or sorority (Reifman & Watson 2003). Student also admitted to drinking as a result of peer pressure and academic stress. While others admitted to drinking just to get drunk. Other problems a non-binge drinking student might be faced with on a high-binge drinking campus might include the following; insults or humiliation by a binge drinker, serious arguments, been pushed, hit, or assaulted, and unwanted sexual encounters. The binge drinking student might get in trouble with campus police or local authorities, miss class or fall behind in school work, been injurer or hurt, not use protection when having sex or engaged in unplanned sexual activity, property damage, or have driven after drinking (Wechsler, 2001). Society views the word drink in a variety of ways. People drink or choose not to drink sometimes for the same reasons (i.e. They may or may not like the taste.) In many instances values play a huge role in how a minor views alcohol. If they are embarrassed by someone’s action as a result of alcohol they may choose to avoid using while others may see it used for relaxation and decided it is ok to use and