binge drinking

human behavior

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July 23, 2026

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Binge drinking is defined as consuming a large amount of alcohol in a short period, typically five or more drinks for men and four for women in one sitting. This behavior is a significant public health concern, with about 1 in 6 U.S. adults binge drinking, and 25% of those doing so weekly.1

While moderate alcohol consumption may have some benefits, such as a reduced risk of stroke and heart attack, excessive drinking can lead to severe health issues. These include liver damage, increased cancer risk, and fetal alcohol syndrome. Chronic heavy drinking can also cause nutritional deficiencies, heart disease, and damage to the brain's cerebral cortex. Furthermore, binge drinking increases the risk of accidents, injuries, and other negative consequences.234

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alcohol consumption
United States
…drinking on college campuses—especially so-called binge drinking—remained a considerable problem. As people aged, abstention generally increased. In part, this may have been an artifact of birth cohort and of a wish of former alcoholics to recover from their disorder. Nonetheless, in the 21st century, as many as 10 percent of…
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…drinking on college campuses—especially so-called binge drinking—remained a considerable problem. As people aged, abstention generally increased. In part, this may have been an artifact of birth cohort and of a wish of former alcoholics to recover from their disorder. Nonetheless, in the 21st century, as many as 10 percent of…
Read More

human nutrition
Pregnancy and lactation
“binge drinking” during pregnancy can cause fetal alcohol syndrome, a condition with irreversible mental and physical retardation. Even lighter social drinking during pregnancy may result in milder damage—growth retardation, behavioral or learning abnormalities, or motor impairments—sometimes described as fetal alcohol effects. Until a completely safe…
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“binge drinking” during pregnancy can cause fetal alcohol syndrome, a condition with irreversible mental and physical retardation. Even lighter social drinking during pregnancy may result in milder damage—growth retardation, behavioral or learning abnormalities, or motor impairments—sometimes described as fetal alcohol effects. Until a completely safe…
Read More