NEW YORK — The holiday season often brings people together to celebrate, and for many, this means indulging in food, festivities, and alcohol. But heavy drinking isn’t reserved for holiday get-togethers or college students—it’s an issue affecting a wider range of age groups.
While binge drinking has been a longstanding concern, a new pattern of drinking is emerging that experts warn is even more dangerous: high-intensity drinking. This behavior involves consuming eight or more alcoholic drinks in one sitting for women, and ten or more for men. Though binge drinking remains prevalent, high-intensity drinking is gaining attention due to its severe risks and rising frequency among certain populations.
Understanding High-Intensity Drinking
Binge drinking, typically defined as consuming four or more drinks in a two-hour period for women, and five or more for men, has long been associated with health risks. However, research has shown that consuming even higher quantities of alcohol in a short period can have far worse consequences, including blackouts, alcohol poisoning, and even death.
The term “high-intensity drinking” was coined as researchers sought a way to describe these more extreme cases. In the 1990s, Dr. Henry Wechsler, a Harvard social psychologist, first defined binge drinking based on the behaviors of college students. His studies found that young women consuming four or more drinks and men drinking five or more faced heightened risks of alcohol-related harm. However, further studies revealed that the most severe outcomes often occurred when people consumed significantly more than these thresholds.
Who is Engaging in High-Intensity Drinking?
While heavy drinking has traditionally been linked to youth, trends indicate that high-intensity drinking is increasingly affecting middle-aged adults. Recent data from the Monitoring The Future survey, which tracks the drinking behaviors of young adults, revealed a slight decrease in high-intensity drinking among individuals aged 19 to 30—from 11% in 2013 to 8.5% in 2023.
However, the figures are still concerning. Nearly one in eight adults aged 27 and 28 reported consuming ten or more drinks in one sitting. The National Alcohol Survey, which surveys the general population, defines high-intensity drinking as consuming eight or more drinks in a row within a year. While the data shows a decline among young adults, it also reveals an uptick in high-intensity drinking among men aged 30 and older and women aged 18 to 64.
The Risks of High-Intensity Drinking
Experts say it’s crucial to distinguish between binge drinking and high-intensity drinking due to the significantly higher risks associated with the latter. Drinking eight to ten drinks in one sitting can elevate an individual’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.2%, which is well above the typical BAC of 0.08% seen with binge drinking. This elevated BAC substantially increases the likelihood of alcohol-related harm, including injuries, overdose, and even death.
Dr. George F. Koob, director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, emphasizes that the physical and psychological consequences of high-intensity drinking are far more severe. “People who engage in this level of drinking are more likely to experience blackouts, end up in emergency rooms, or put themselves and others at significant risk,” Koob said.
In addition to acute physical harm, high-intensity drinking raises the long-term risk of developing alcohol use disorders. Studies show that individuals who regularly engage in extreme drinking behaviors are more likely to experience addiction and related health issues.
The social consequences of high-intensity drinking are also considerable. According to Camillia Lui, a scientist at the Alcohol Research Group, the fallout from excessive drinking can include physical assaults, drunk-driving accidents, property damage, and strained relationships.
Why Are People Drinking So Much?
The reasons behind high-intensity drinking are multifaceted, involving genetic predispositions, social influences, and, in some cases, a desire to cope with stress. While young adults often view heavy drinking as a way to enhance social experiences and have fun, middle-aged individuals frequently cite alcohol as a means of managing stress, especially in social or high-pressure situations.
Despite its decline among younger people, high-intensity drinking has become more prevalent in older age groups, particularly among those dealing with the pressures of work, family, and daily life.
The Need for Further Research
Experts stress the need for more research to fully understand the causes behind the rise in high-intensity drinking, especially among middle-aged adults. Keith Humphreys, an addiction expert at Stanford University, explains that while binge drinking (five drinks) is risky, consuming ten or more drinks in one sitting presents far greater dangers. “The dose makes the poison,” he said, underscoring that the sheer volume of alcohol consumed can significantly alter the outcome of an individual’s drinking behavior.
As this dangerous trend continues to evolve, public health experts urge increased awareness and intervention.
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