Binge drinking means consuming a large amount of alcohol in a short period of time. It often happens at parties, celebrations, or other social events.
Binge drinking is defined as consuming five or more standard drinks* for males, or four or more drinks for females on a single occasion. This kind of drinking can rapidly elevate blood alcohol concentration (BAC) depending on factors such as age, sex, and body size.
A standard drink is a measure used to help people understand how much alcohol they are drinking. In Canada, a standard drink contains around 14 grams of alcohol.
This means that a standard drink looks different depending on the alcohol concentration. Each drink in the image below contains the same amount of pure alcohol.
Do you know?
In 2023, the Canadian Substance Use Survey (CSUS) found that nearly half of the Canadian population engaged in binge drinking in the past year.
Binge drinking can have serious short- and long-term effects on both the body and mind.
In the short-term, binge drinking can:
In the long-term, frequent binge drinking can:
Young people are more likely to binge drink and can become intoxicated quicker than adults due to their age and body size. Their lower tolerance also puts them at higher risk of alcohol poisoning, especially when mixing alcohol with other drugs or energy drinks. Heavy drinking at a young age also increases the risk of addiction and can have serious long-term effects on mental and physical health.
Binge drinking is particularly risky for young people because the brain continues to develop until the mid-20s. Heavy drinking during this time can affect the parts of the brain that help with learning, planning, decision-making, and self-control. Over time, this can harm their academic performance, relationships, and overall well-being. Binge drinking at a young age also increases the risk of addiction and long-term mental health issues.
Do you know?
The Canadian Student Tobacco, Alcohol, and Drugs Survey (2021-2022) found that 21% of students (grades 7 to 12) in Canada reported heavy drinking in the last year, compared to 28% in Saskatchewan.
Making informed choices about alcohol protects your health, safety, and well-being. Here are some key strategies for responsible decision-making.