Binge drinking is a serious problem for many Americans; one in seven admits to going on a drinking binge in the past month.

Binge drinking is classified as five drinks or more in a few hours for men and four drinks for women. Young men ages 18 to 34 are the biggest bingers, and whites are the ethnic group most likely to indulge. In addition, reports National Public Radio (NPR), those with household incomes of at least $75,000 a year binge the most with 19 percent reporting binge drinking.

The Centers for Disease Control says that about 33 million Americans are binge drinkers, although most of them aren’t alcoholics.

Short-term consequences of binge drinking include drunk driving and the sexual transmission of diseases. Long-term effects include liver damage and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.


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