Binge Drinking
“In 2015, 26.9 percent of people ages 18 or older reported that they engaged in binge drinking in the past month; 7.0 percent reported that they engaged in heavy alcohol use in the past month” (Alcohol Facts and Statistics). Binge drinking can scientifically be defined as the consumption of an excessive amount of alcohol in a short period of time. Extreme alcohol ingestion has quickly become one of the most known social epidemics in the United States. The absurdity of binge drinking lies in the surprising and overwhelming age groups it includes. From teenagers as young as 13 to the elderly, binge drinking can affect anyone and bring you to an untimely death.
Alcohol has been around in America since colonial times. On the Mayflower, pilgrims were known to drink barrel after barrel of beer during their long journeys across the sea (Randall). It was lead to believe that drinking could possibly solve health issues. Innovative colonists such as, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and George Washington, used the ingredients Indian corn, spruce, and to brew their own alcoholic beverages (1). Alcoholic beverages were the center of the colonist lives; community events, military events, and agricultural work were consistently complemented by any type of alcoholic consumption. Surprisingly, alcohol was not just for adults in the colonial era. Many children were engaged in drinking. Drinks such as, cider and beer were usually consumed at dinner and public events.
While most of the colonists only drank beer in their home countries, they soon found new forms of alcohol. The peach from the South and the apple from the North colonies gave the colonist the ability to make cider, peach brandy, and apple jack. “Hard” liquor quickly replaced beer and cider as the colonial drink of choice. Liquor was a convenience to the colonist; it was cheaper and less troublesome to ship liquor. On top of that, molasses and sugar cane was abundantly available from the West Indies (Randall). Compared to the traditional ciders and beers the colonists were used to drinking, liquor had multi-purposes. For example, rum, could be added to other drinks, enjoyed hot or cold, or even drank straight. The very first rum distilleries opened in Boston during the early 1700s (1). Rum distilling industries flourished, and not long after, New England was exporting about 600,000 gallons annually, quickly becoming a popular economic principal of many other colonies (1).
After the American victory in the Revolutionary War, consumption of whiskey grew higher than any other alcoholic beverage. “High tariffs and strained trade relations with Great Britain cut off supplies of West Indian molasses, crippling rum production…drinkers were enjoying a whiskey glut; whiskey and cider stood supreme as the national beverages” (Pegram). By the beginning of the Nineteenth Century, America was well known for our vast amounts of alcohol consumptions and had built a strong reputation as a hard-drinking society. The average adult (over fifteen years of age) drank 6 gallons of alcohol a year in the 1790s, more than double current American consumption rates (Lender and Martin). Alcohol was consumed in nearly every situation and became more common than regular water.
Many people started to notice the powerful addiction forming in binge drinking. Major concerns about the wide spread use of alcohol in such young America resulted in the formation of religious circles. Methodists and Quakers warned parishioners of the dangers of hard liquor to social order (Randall). Anthony Benezet, the Quaker who was well-known for creating the first anti-slavery society on the American Continent, called alcohol “The Great Destroyer” and warned Americans of the various medical and social problems associated with excessive drinking (1). While many religious organizations had little problems with alcohol, shame and dishonor was attached to binge drinking. Moderate amounts of drinking were accepted in the eyes of society, but heavy drinking began to be identified as a sin.
Dr. Benjamin Rush was the most influential figure in the early temperance movement, who was previously known for serving as Surgeon General of the Continental Army and being one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. In 1784, Dr. Rush published An Inquiry into the Effects of Spirituous Liquors upon the Human Body, and Their Influence upon the Happiness of Society (Rush). In his pamphlet, Rush stunned America, becoming one of the first individuals in the medical field to propose that liquor broke down the body and led to both mental and physical illness (1). After thoroughly looking over his research, Rush requested for the government to set limitations on drinking (1). He stated, “should the customs of civilized life, preserve our nation for extinction, and, even from an increase of mortality, by these liquors; they cannot prevent our country being governed by men, chosen by intemperate and corrupted voters?” (1). Despite his educated conclusions of liquor, Rush failed to make the impact he was expecting, concerning the binge drinking of all alcoholic beverages.
While drinking continued to be possessed by many, disquiets of the easy availability and large consumption amounts of hard liquor by the lower-class people also known as ‘undesirables’ (Randall). Multiple States in the South passed laws that restricted the drinking of alcohol by slaves, in fear of the slaves becoming violent. Likewise, communities living on the frontier feared providing alcohol for Native Americans, besides special conditions like negotiating or trading. The people of these communities only traded “Indian whiskey,” contaminated mixtures that would intentionally make their drinkers sick, with the Natives (1). It was declared that “good” drinks should not be wasted on such ‘undesirables’ like Native and African Americans (1).
Excessive alcohol consumption wasn’t only a problem in the 1900s. Binge drinking in all ages has increased drastically since the colonial times. Many negative complications associated with binge drinking was found in ages 17 to 24 (college students).
Lydia Gale Clark, a junior at Drake University, died due to binge drinking. According to many witnesses, Clark was seen bar hopping on a six-hour drinking marathon for her 21st birthday (Reynolds). Finally, Clark returned home around 3:30am and didn’t wake up until 9:30am. Around noon, Clark complained to her roommate that she felt “very sick” and before anyone knew it, she was “lying on the floor looking a different color… stopped breathing and was gasping and convulsing” (1). Her friend immediately called the police and tried to perform CPR while waiting. The paramedics arrived minutes later but were unable to revive Clark. “The police linked her death to excessive alcohol consumption, but an autopsy revealed an abnormal heart tissue, which may have been another factor” (1).
Lydia is only one example, among many, of modern day binge drinking. Numerous college students such as; Erica Buschick and Phillip Dhanenes have died from binge drinking (7 Crazy Binge Drinking Deaths). Erica Buschick was a kind-hearted and very passionate girl who attended Miami University in oxford. Buschick was found dead in her Morris Hall dorm room on January 20, 2017. According to Buschick’s police report:
She and her roommate began drinking at about 10 p.m., consuming approximately two bottles of champagne between them, the report said. They then filled a water bottle about halfway with vodka and went to an off-campus apartment to "pregame," a term to describe drinking before going out to a bar or party. Buschick continued drinking at the apartment, according to the report. She first fell as the group was leaving to walk to a bar, the report says, and was too drunk to enter the bar when she arrived. She eventually reunited with her roommate, and they called a taxi to take them back to Morris Hall. (Hammil)
Once the girls returned to their dorm, the taxi driver assisted the roommate in getting Buschick inside and laid her down on a bean bag to reduce the risk of her falling and hitting her head. The next morning Buschick never woke up (1). Buschick’s friends and family were absolutely devastated that they lost such a special person to something so injudicious. Binge drinking not only effects its victims lives but those around them as well.
Sadly, Phillip Dhanens was another college student victim to binge drinking. Dhanens’ was a college freshmen at California State University. Attending the school for only two weeks, Dhanens joined Theta Chi fraternity and was introduced to hazing ritual that new pledges must complete to be initiated (Quigley). The leaders of his fraternity supposedly told all 15 boys that they couldn't leave the room until all the bottles of alcohol were finished. Hard liquor drinks such as tequila, whiskey, and vodka was given to the recruits. After only 20 minutes of drinking, Dhanens became “excited and began drinking heavy and aggressively”, the warrant states (1). Three hours later he was unconscious and not breathing. They immediately called 911 but there was nothing that could have been done to save him. Dhanens suffered from severe brain damage and swelling. After his death, the Fresno County Coroner's Office reported Dhanens' blood-alcohol level was 0.36, four to five times the legal limit to drive (1).
Binge drinking is most commonly seen in college students around ages 18 to 24 but does not exclude all other ages. Grown men and women, out of college, have experienced the same horrible deaths due to excessive alcohol consumption. Binge drinking is growing at an alarming rate because it is perceived as “cool” and used to fit into social standards.
Binge drinking can differ from alcoholism or an alcohol addiction. The diagnosing of an alcohol-use disorder depends on the problems that alcohol can cause in a user's life. Those who binge drink, may or may not have an alcohol-use disorder, depending on the level of misery and damage the alcohol causes. In most cases, long-term binge drinking may lead to the development of an alcohol-use disorder. “Studies have found that adolescents who binge drink are 3 times more likely to develop an alcohol use disorder as adults” (Binge Drinking). Binge drinking can have severe, harmful effects on the brain and body, including: alcohol poisoning, hypertension, strokes, heart attacks, gastritis, pancreatitis, liver disease, fetal alcohol effects, neurological damage, sexual dysfunction, and diabetes-related issues (Guarotta).
People binge drink for many different reasons, whether it is to have “fun,” socialize, or to handle negative feelings such as depression, sadness, and stress. There is no definite answer to binge drinking but there are multiple ways to overcome the addiction. Possible solutions include; changed environment, weighing the pros and cons, remembering abstinence, set limits, find alternatives, programs, and medication (Guarotta).
Where and who someone surrounds themselves with can persuade and be a huge influence. When struggling with a binge drinking problem, it can be difficult to stop drinking when you are constantly reminded of it. Changing the environment in which one spends most of their time in can prevent them from even having the possibility to drink. Surrounding oneself with positive influences can act as a distraction. It is also helpful to avoid bars or restaurants that sell alcohol, and limiting time socializing with others who also engage in binge drinking.
It takes about 21 days to break a habit (Dean). During this time, weighing the pros and cons of binge drinking can be helpful. When trying to change a bad habit, motivation levels are very likely to fluctuate over time. A list would serve as a constant reminder to stop binge drinking.
Another way to overcome binge drinking is having a lot of help and provision from those who love you. Support from family and friends can help to quit or cut down on alcohol use. Consider self-discipline too. Studies show that most people, with binge drinking addictions, find that quitting alcohol entirely is more manageable than only drinking occasionally (Guarnotta). Support groups such as “Alcoholics Anonymous” and “SMART Recovery” help members refrain (1).
Set limits and boundaries; abstaining from alcohol completely may cause problems and not feel right. Setting limits on one’s alcohol consumption is a good way to slowly make the transformation to no alcohol at all. Limits can include, reducing the amount consumed, drinking on certain days of the week or only during certain hours, or avoiding types of alcohol.
Finding alternative, healthier ways of coping is a good way to overcome binge drinking as well. Studies show that “many binge drinkers find that alcohol allows them to cope with negative feelings, such as stress, depression, anxiety, and boredom” (Guarnotta). Replacing alcohol with healthier options, such as exercise, self-care, sports, hobbies, and connecting with others.
“When a person who is physically dependent on alcohol attempts to quit, he or she may begin to experience withdrawal symptoms. In cases of heavy and frequent drinking, withdrawal can be dangerous and may lead to delirium tremens, which can include seizures, visual hallucinations, confusion, and possibly death” (Guarnotta). Attend a detox program could help. Detoxing under the supervision of a specialist allows for withdrawal symptoms to be closely monitored and managed through medications, if necessary (1).
In some cases, doctors can prescribe medications to relieve withdrawal symptoms and control cravings. “Medications such as acamprosate, naltrexone, and disulfiram may be prescribed. Disulfiram, also known by the brand name Antabuse, causes an unpleasant reaction when users drink alcohol, which can reduce the appeal of alcohol and serve as a motivator to stay sober” (Guarnotta). Although there may be multiple ways to prevent and help someone stop binge drinking, there never will be a real solution to end it entirely.
A French-Algerian journalist, playwright, novelist, philosophical essayist, and Nobel laureate, named Albert Camus, held strong beliefs in absurdity. Absurdity can be defined in philosophy as “the conflict between the human tendency to seek inherent value and meaning in life and the human inability to find any. In this context, absurd does not mean "logically impossible", but rather "humanly impossible” (Maguire).
Camus’s believes that there are three possible philosophical responses to each predicament (absurdity). The first option is very blunt and simple, physical suicide. The second choice “is the religious solution of positing a transcendent world of solace and meaning beyond the Absurd” (Simpson). The third choice, which Camus’s deems to be the only authentic and valid solution, is simply to accept absurdity, or better yet to embrace it, and to continue living (1).
Camus’ beliefs relate to my topic because binge drinking is an absurd, growing social epidemic. Camus’ would most likely believe that the only way to “solve” binge drinking is to accept it. A physical suicide from binge drinking would be letting the epidemic consume and overwhelm someone to the point of no return.
Binge drinking is a worldwide social epidemic that can and has negatively affected the lives of all ages. Teenagers and adults binge drink to “fit in” with the standards of society. These people don’t realize they are killing themselves for the small amount of satisfaction of their peers.
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