Silence Hurts
Alcohol Abuse and Violence Against Women
Binge Drinking and Sexual Assault
Binge drinking is defined, for men, as consuming five or more drinks in a row; and as four drinks in a row for women. It is simply too much alcohol in too short a time. According to a recent study, approximately two out of five college students are binge drinkers.34 And of these binge drinkers (or heavy episodic drinkers), one in five can be diagnosed with alcohol dependence (or alcoholism).35
Since the early 1990s, the proportion of college students who binge drink has remained roughly the same (44 percent). However, the number of frequent binge drinkers-students who binge three or more times in a 2-week period-has increased. Students more likely to binge drink are white, 23 years of age or younger, and residents of a fraternity or sorority.36
Students who binge drink are 21 times more likely than nonbinge drinkers to engage in unprotected sex and unplanned sexual activity. Binge drinking or alcohol abuse on college campuses triples a woman's risk of sexual assault.37
Professionals who work with addiction issues in adolescents need to be aware of the Stages of Substance Use Among Younger People.
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Last Updated: 6/14/04
SAMHSA is an Agency of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
