BINGE DRINKING
In recent years there has been a growing national concern about the way that Scottish
people drink, particularly in relation to the phenomenon of ‘binge drinking’ - that is
drinking an excessive amount on any one occasion. So much so that the Scottish
Executive has made it one of their key priorities to reduce binge drinking.
In the short term binge drinking results in immediate consequences, not just for the
drinker but also those around them including:
- Accidents– 25% of all alcohol-related deaths are due to accidents and it is
estimated that alcohol is a factor in 20-30% of all accidents.
- Violence – Violence is now a leading cause of facial injury in Britain. In 61%
of cases either the victim or assailant had been drinking alcohol.
- Workplace – 8-14 million days are lost each year in the UK as a result of
alcohol-related problems.
- Unsafe Sex – Possibly leading to unwanted pregnancies or sexually transmitted
infections including HIV/AIDS. A 1998 HEA survey of 16-24 year olds found that
after
drinking alcohol 1 in 7 have had unsafe sex and 1 in 5 had sex they later regretted.
In the long term binge drinking can result in an increased risk of heart disease, there is
also a clear link between heavy drinking, depression and suicide. Studies in the UK show
that 30% of men and 8% of women who attempt suicide were chronic problem drinkers. |
