Over 16,000 active-military personnel were surveyed in 2005 to determine their health-related behaviors, and 43% of respondents reported binge drinking over the past month. The average binge drinker did so 30 times per year, and two-thirds of all binge-drinking episodes were by personnel between 17 and 25 years old. Not surprisingly, binge drinkers were much more likely to have job performance issues and drive while impaired.
Binge drinking can also lead to alcohol poisoning, which is deadly. The brain begins to shut down involuntary functions that regulate breathing and heart rate, sometimes resulting in death. The amount of alcohol that causes alcohol poisoning is different for every person. It is not possible to accurately predict for each person what amount will cause them to overdose.
While binge drinking is a danger for everyone on campus, this study shows campuses should consider targeted outreach and education to ROTC students. Check out http://www.friendsdrivesober.org/ for programming ideas. The Alcohol Poisoning Response Kit is another useful resource.
Source: Medical News Today
-posted by Chris Miller
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