Module 3

http://www.cdc.gov/CDCTV/BingeDrinking/

(video link)

http://www2c.cdc.gov/podcasts/player.asp?f=1246462
http://www.cdc.gov/CDCTV/BingeDrinking/
CDC Podcasts: Binge Drinking

1.

What is binge drinking?

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2.

How many episodes of binge drinking are there in the U.S. per year?

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3. Why is it a problem?
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4.

What is the difference between the public perception and medical

perception of binge drinking?

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5.

Who are the biggest offenders?

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6.

Why is binge drinking different from other social problems?

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7.

Name two of the three solutions they suggested:

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Binge Drinking Page 1 of 2 April 2010

[Announcer] This podcast is presented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC safer, healthier people.
[Narrator] Today, more than half of the alcohol consumed by adults in the U.S. occurs during a
pattern of behavior known as binge drinking a risky behavior that can lead to illness . . .
injury . . . and even death.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines binge drinking as consumption that
raises blood alcohol content to .08 percent . . . the cut-off point for driving while impaired in all 50
states.
[Dr. Brewer] Binge drinking is an extremely dangerous pattern of alcohol consumption, which is
defined as four or more drinks per occasion for a woman, five or more drinks per occasion for a
man.
[Dr. Jernigan] and we estimate that there are approximately 1.5 billion episodes of binge drinking
in the U.S. each year.
[Narrator] Binge drinking literally fuels dangerous behavior. Binge drinkers are 14 times more
likely to report driving drunk than non-binge drinkers.
[Dr. Jernigan] Eighty eight percent of impaired driving events are caused by binge drinkers.
[Dr. Brewer] Binge drinking is associated with over half of the 79 thousand alcohol-attributable
deaths that we estimate occur in the United States each year.
[Narrator] Though many doctors consider binge drinking to be a dangerous health behavior, many
Americans think that binge drinking is socially-acceptable.
[Dr. Jernigan] Alcohol's the most widely available drug and intoxicant in our society.
[Narrator] This dangerous pattern of over-consumption contributes to illness, injury and death
through car crashes, violence, HIV/AIDS, and more.
[Dr. Brewer] Binge drinking is also associated with a wide range of health and social problems,
including unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, interpersonal violence, and the list
goes on and on.
[Narrator] The truth is that most binge drinkers are adults who drink too much on occasion.
[Dr. Brewer] We estimate that about 70 percent of the 1.5 billion episodes of binge drinking that
occur in the United States each year involve people that are 26 years and older.

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[Dr. Jernigan] The majority of, problems, of alcohol problems are caused by people who think
they're not problem drinkers.
[Dr. Brewer] There's good scientific evidence that over eighty percent of binge drinkers are not
alcohol-dependent or alcoholics.
[Narrator] Unlike other high-risk health behaviors, the risk of binge drinking goes up with socioeconomic status.
[Dr. Jernigan] In fact, binge drinkers most commonly make more than fifty thousand dollars a
year. Binge drinking is a problem for individuals, but its a problem that is engendered by
community environments that are supportive of this behavior.
[Dr. Brewer] We need to implement effective community-based strategies to prevent binge
drinking.
[Dr. Jernigan] The single most effective thing we could do to reduce binge drinking would be to
increase alcohol taxes.
[Dr. Brewer] So too is reducing the number of places where people can purchase alcohol in the
community.
[Dr. Jernigan] Reducing days and hours of sales is another important strategy.
[Narrator] Communities need to create an environment that discourages underage and binge
drinking.
[Dr. Brewer] We need to maintain and also enforce the age 21 minimum legal drinking age.
[Narrator] Armed with these strategies, communities can begin to fight back against the
proliferation of alcohol outlets, advertising, and drink specials.
[Dr. Brewer] We need to de-normalize binge drinking as a pattern of alcohol consumption.
[Dr. Jernigan] It is far too risky and harmful a pattern of drinking.
[Narrator] Binge drinking. It's a clear health threat for the drinkerand for society. Be responsible
to your family, your community and yourself. Don't binge drink.
[Announcer]For the most accurate health information, visit www.cdc.gov or call 1-800-CDC-INFO,
24/7.

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Timed writing
It is not unusual to hear of people binge drinking until they pass out and cannot
remember what they said or did. Why is binge drinking a problem? Give
examples you have heard about or know about from your own culture. What are
the solutions?
Write at least 250 words

Dictation:
Binge drinking is a risky behaviour that can lead to illness, injury and even death.
Most people think binge drinking is socially acceptable
Binge drinking is also associated with a wide range of health and social problems.
Communities need to create an environment that discourages underage and binge drinking.