Girls binge drinking more than boys, UK
For the first time ever in the UK, the total number of teenage girls binge drinking is higher than the number of boys. 32% of girls and 25% of boys aged 15-16 said they had been on a drinking binge (once or more) during the last month.
The study, carried out by the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Drugs questioned 2,000 children in the UK. Team leader was Prof. Martin Plant, Univ West of England.
The definition of ‘binge drinking' is consuming more than five units of alcohol in one session. Since 1999, the last time a similar study was carried out, boys are binge drinking less while the figure for girls has shot up.
Prof. Plant said "There is clearly a profound social change going on. We have not seen this kind of increasing trend among young women in opposition to men, ever. What we have now got is a different underlying trend for young women that has come on in the last six years, and it is quite clear and quite strong."
Plant said the UK has a drinking culture which has to be addressed by the authorities.
What is binge drinking?
Binge drinking is the consumption of five or more alcoholic drinks in a row on at least one occasion.
Although binge drinking can be dangerous at any age, it is a special problem among teens and young adults.
Why is binge drinking so dangerous?
Binge drinking is harmful because of the potential consequences. People who binge on a regular basis are at an even higher risk for negative consequences. Since young people frequently combine high risk activities with binge drinking, their potential for death or serious injury is very high. Some of the dangers include:
-- Death or injury due to falls, fires, drowning, or a drunk driving crash.
-- Pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases due to unintended sexual activity.
-- Being the victim or perpetrator of date rape or other assault.
-- Death from alcohol poisoning.
What is alcohol poisoning?
Alcohol is actually a depressant drug. When a large amount is consumed in a short period of time, the body cannot process it quickly enough, resulting in a high blood alcohol content (BAC). Most people know that a BAC of more than .10 % is legally drunk, but very high concentrations can result in more than just legal problems.
A very high BAC can cause central nervous system depression, loss of consciousness, respiratory arrest, and death. Many victims die because they begin to throw up while they are unconscious and then choke to death on their own vomit.
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