What Is Binge Drinking?

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and 

Alcoholism defines binge drinking as a pattern of 

drinking alcohol that brings blood alcohol 

concentration (BAC) to 0.08 percent—or 0.08 

grams of alcohol per deciliter—or higher. For a 

typical adult, this pattern of excessive alcohol use 

corresponds to consuming 4 or more drinks 

(female), or 5 or more drinks (male) in about 2 

hours. Research shows that fewer drinks in the 

same timeframe result in the same BAC in youth; 

only 3 drinks for girls, and 3 to 5 drinks for boys, 

depending on their age and size.1

How Common Is Binge Drinking?

According to the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, about 67 million, or about 25 percent 

of people in the United States ages 12 and older reported binge drinking during the past month.2 

While binge drinking is a concern among all age groups, there are important trends in the following 

age groups:

» Preteens and teens: Rates in binge drinking among young people have been steadily 

decreasing in the last decade. Still, according to 2019 data from the Monitoring the Future 

survey, 3.8 percent of 8th graders, 8.5 percent of 10th graders, and 14.4 percent of 12th graders 

reported binge drinking in the past 2 weeks. 

» Young adults: Among young adults, rates of binge drinking have been decreasing steadily in 

the past decade. However, rates among this group are still high; according to 2018 data from 

Monitoring the Future, 28 percent of college students and 25 percent of non-college, agematched young adults reported binge drinking in the past 2 weeks.

» Older adults: Binge drinking is on the rise among older adults—more than 10 percent of 

adults ages 65 and older reported binge drinking in the past month,3 and the prevalence is 

increasing.4 The increase in this group is of particular concern because many older adults use 

medications that can interact with alcohol, have health conditions that can be exacerbated by 

alcohol, and may be more susceptible to alcohol-related falls and other accidental injuries. 

» Women: The number of women who binge drink has also increased. Studies show that among 

U.S. women who drink, about one in four has engaged in binge drinking in the last month, 

Binge Drinking
averaging about three binge episodes per month and five drinks per binge episode.4 These 

trends are concerning as women are at an increased risk for health problems related to alcohol 

misuse. 

What Are the Consequences and Health Effects of Binge Drinking?

While drinking any amount of alcohol can carry certain risks,* crossing the binge threshold increases 

the risk of acute harm, such as blackouts and overdoses. Binge drinking also increases the likelihood 

of unsafe sexual behavior and the risk of sexually transmitted infections and unintentional pregnancy. 

These risks are greater at higher peak levels of consumption. Because of the impairments it 

produces, binge drinking also increases the likelihood of a host of potentially deadly consequences, 

including falls, burns, drownings, and car crashes. 

Alcohol affects virtually all tissues in the body. Data suggest that even one episode of binge drinking 

can compromise function of the immune system and lead to acute pancreatitis (inflammation of the 

pancreas) in individuals with underlying pancreatic damage. Excessive alcohol use, including 

repeated episodes of binge drinking, over time contributes to liver and other chronic diseases, as well 

as increases in the risk of several types of cancer, including head and neck, esophageal, liver, breast, 

and colorectal cancers. 

Overall, of the roughly 88,000 deaths that result from alcohol use in the United States each year, 

more than half stem from binge drinking, and binge drinking accounts for 77 percent ($191.1 billion) 

of the annual economic cost of alcohol misuse.5 

How Does Binge Drinking Affect Adolescents?

Brain development, once thought to taper off at the end of childhood, enters a unique phase during 

the adolescent years. Research indicates that repeated episodes of binge drinking during the teen 

years can alter the trajectory of adolescent brain development and cause lingering deficits in social, 

attention, memory, and other cognitive functions.6

What Is “High-Intensity” Drinking?

“High-intensity drinking” is defined as alcohol intake at levels twice or more the gender-specific 

threshold for binge drinking. This dangerous drinking pattern means 8 or more drinks for women and 

10 or more drinks for men on one occasion. Research suggests that high-intensity drinking peaks 

around age 21 and is most common among young adults attending college.7 

This pattern of drinking is of particular concern because it is associated with an even greater risk of 

severe health and safety consequences. More research is needed to identify interventions that can be 

used to discourage this pattern of use. 

For more information about binge drinking, alcohol use disorder, and available evidence-based 

treatments, please visit Rethinking Drinking and the NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator. 

* For information on impairments at lower levels, please see this chart. 
August 2020

1 Chung, T.; Creswell, K.G.; Bachrach, R.; et al. Adolescent binge drinking: Developmental context and opportunities for prevention. Alcohol Research: Current Reviews 

39(1):5–15, 2018. PMID: 30557142

2 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Table 2.20A—Binge Alcohol Use in 

Past Month Among Persons Aged 12 or Older, by Age Group and Demographic Characteristics: Numbers in Thousands, 2017 and 2018, and 2.20B—Table 2.20B 

Binge Alcohol Use in Past Month Among Persons Aged 12 or Older, by Age Group and Demographic Characteristics: Percentages, 2017 and 2018. Available at: 

https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/cbhsq-reports/NSDUHDetailedTabs2018R2/NSDUHDetTabsSect2pe2018.htm#tab2-20a and 

https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/cbhsq-reports/NSDUHDetailedTabs2018R2/NSDUHDetTabsSect2pe2018.htm#tab2-20b. Accessed 8/10/20. 

3 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Table 2.7B—Alcohol Use, Binge 

Alcohol Use, and Heavy Alcohol Use in Past Month Among Persons Aged 12 or Older, by Detailed Age Category: Percentages, 2017 and 2018. Available at: 

https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/cbhsq-reports/NSDUHDetailedTabs2018R2/NSDUHDetTabsSect2pe2018.htm#tab2-7b. Accessed 8/3/2020.

4 Kanny, D.; Naimi, T.S.; Liu, Y.; Lu, H.; and Brewer, R.D. Annual total binge drinks consumed by U.S. adults, 2015. American Journal of Preventive Medicine

54(4):486–496, 2018. PMID: 29555021

5 Sacks, J.J.; Gonzales, K.R.; Bouchery, E.E.; et al. 2010 National and state costs of excessive alcohol consumption. American Journal of Preventive Medicine

49(5):e73–e79, 2015. PMID: 26477807

6 Jones, S.A.; Lueras, J.M.; and Nagel, B.J. Effects of binge drinking on the developing brain: Studies in humans. Alcohol Research: Current Reviews 39(1):87–96, 

2018. PMID: 30557151

7 Patrick, M.E.; and Azar, B. High-intensity drinking. Alcohol Research: Current Reviews 39(1):49–55, 2018. PMID: 30557148