The Dangers of Binge Drinking

First published May 2017
Updated October 2025

The most common, and most dangerous, way that teenagers use alcohol is by binge drinking. This is defined as a pattern of consuming a large amount of alcohol in a short period of time that brings the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to ≥ 0.08%. For adult males this means consuming 5 or more drinks in a row, or 4 or more drinks in a row by adult females.

However, for adolescents a smaller number of drinks can lead to the same BAC. This pattern of drinking can cause serious harm including alcohol poisoning, fatal injuries and accidents, and even death. In addition, this pattern of drinking during important brain development in adolescence can cause long lasting effects on brain development and cognition.

While many think of college-aged youth as the ones who binge drink, the onset of binge drinking and episodes of being drunk are seen in early to mid-adolescence – ages 12-16 years old. This drinking pattern usually involves hard liquor, with consumption of beer used in less than one-third of binge episodes. Ready-to-drink options like pre-mixed cocktails are often used in addition to other undistilled spirits on their own. This consumption of liquor in binge episodes reflects the intent to get drunk and quickly as possible.

Adolescents frequently don’t understand standard drink servings, especially for liquor, and often overpour. This leads to more high-volume consumption of high alcohol-containing spirits, causing rapid intoxication and increased risk of alcohol-related harms including blackouts. Adolescents will often binge drink at someone’s home, without parental supervision, or at a bar or night club. They are more likely to drink on weekends, summer and spring breaks, holidays, and occasions like prom.

While binge drinking is a concerning problem among teenagers, parents can act to help prevent this for their child:

Be a role model for safe alcohol use.

If you do drink, drink occasionally and in moderation around your child, and only with other people around. The way you talk about drinking is also important. Avoid statements like “I had a terrible day at work, and I need a drink,” as your teenager may think this is a way to help feel better when they are down.

Talk with teenager about alcohol and underage drinking.

Have open ended, nonjudgemental conversation about alcohol use and the values and expectations of alcohol use in your family. Discuss what a standard drink is based on what type of alcohol is used and what binge drinking is.

Help your teenager stay safe around alcohol.

Many teens feel peer pressure to drink. Help your child plan how to respond to peer pressure by developing talking points to use with friends.

If your child does choose to drink alcohol, give them information on how to keep themselves safe:

• Avoid drinking at large events with strangers.
• Know what a standard drink size is and avoid binge drinking.
• Don’t drink and drive or get into a car with someone who is intoxicated.
• Alcoholic drinks should be alternated with water.
• Keep count of how many drinks you have had.
• Try not to get involved in drinking games.
• Have a non-drinking buddy.