"I drink alcohol when I'm clubbing with friends and sometimes I have one too many drinks," admits fresh graduate Michelle. "The next day I'd wake up with a bad hangover."
Binge drinking starts at having more than three standard alcoholic drinks on one occasion for women (or more than four for men). A standard alcoholic drink contains 10 grams of alcohol, and can be estimated to be 2/3 can regular beer, 1 glass (100ml) wine, or 1 nip (30ml) spirit.
But like many young drinkers, Michelle reckons that the occasional intoxication is harmless. "It's not like we party every night," she says.
Experts, however, say this is a common misconception. Binge drinking can have serious health consequences. Short-term harmful effects range from impaired judgment (which can lead to vehicle accidents and risking unprotected sex) to the potentially life-threatening alcohol poisoning. In the long run, binge drinking also increases the risk of stroke, liver diseases, high blood pressure, risky behavior, accidents and death.
What's even more worrying is that youths are especially vulnerable to the effects of alcohol and binge drinking. "Research shows that drinking during adolescence can harm physical and brain development, especially as the brain is still developing until the age of about 24," explains Ms. Prema V, deputy director of the Youth Programme Development of the Health Promotion Board. "Alcohol consumption during this time can bring about learning difficulties, and memory and social developmental problems."
Young binge drinkers are also more likely to become alcohol dependent than those who start to drink later in life.
Bottom-line: When you drink, drink in moderation, say experts. Be aware of your own reaction to alcohol, especially any alcohol-related consequences. Prema V suggests keeping your alcohol intake under control with these tips:
Tips to cut alcohol intake
- Keep track of how many drinks you've had. If you have a tendency to lose count, get a friend to help you.
- Control who gets to refill your drink: it’s either you or a friend you trust to look out for you.
- Set a limit for yourself and stick to it. For example, you can make a pact with your friend not to exceed more than 2 drinks a night.
- Be assertive -- don't allow anyone to make you drink more than your limit.
- Work that drink. Move around, dance or chat with people instead of sitting down and just drinking.
- Have a "spacer" by alternating between non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks.
- Drink slowly. If you're thirsty and need a quencher, drink water or something non-alcoholic at least.
- Avoid playing drinking games. But, if you decide to take the risk, be sharp -- stay within your limit and bow out when you need to!
- Eat before and during drinking, but avoid eating food that makes you thirsty.
- Do not leave your drink unattended in order to prevent others from spiking it.
