Binge drinking seems to be a major problem in Iowa. Binge drinking is roughly defined as drinking five or more drinks during a short period of time without breaks. It is estimated that between 10 to 15 percent of Iowans between the ages of 12 to 25 had participated in binge drinking. Easy access to alcohol and peer pressure are major contributors to this serious problem that is facing many young Iowans today.
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These statistics show that binge drinking peaks between the ages of 18 and 25 and are responsible for many social and health problems. Many of these binge drinkers are teenagers or college students. However, binge drinking often begins as young as 13 years of age and increase in high school and even more so in college.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, binge drinking is directly connected to increased motor vehicle collisions, drowning, injuries, homicide, abuse, domestic violence, suicide, hypertension, risky sexual behavior, sexually transmitted infections, alcohol poisoning, heart attack and more, can be linked to alcohol abuse.
Binge drinkers are regular folks. They may or may not be addicted to alcohol. Statistics show that binge drinkers are normally between the ages of 13 and 25 years old. They may not drink every day. They may only drink at special gatherings or on weekends, although studies show most binge drinkers consume alcohol about twice a week. If someone is drinking five or more drinks in a short time frame, or chugging beer straight from a keg, you can assume that he or she is binge drinking.
Be smart – don’t binge drink!