The Definition Of Binge Drinking Used By The Nhs And...

The definition of binge drinking used by the NHS and National Office of Statistics is drinking more than double the lower risk guidelines for alcohol in one session. The government advises that people should not regularly drink more than the lower risk guidelines of 3-4 units of alcohol for men (equivalent to a pint and a half of 4% beer) and 2-3 units of alcohol for women (equivalent to a 175 ml glass of wine). ‘Regularly’ means drinking every day or most days of the week. Binge drinking for men, therefore, is drinking more than 8 units of alcohol – or about three pints of strong beer. For women, it’s drinking more than 6 units of alcohol, equivalent to two large glasses of wine. Alcohol misuse is a significant and increasing problem†¦show more content†¦Experts said Britain’s place in the table was a â€Å"national tragedy.† The Department of Health estimates that the harmful use of alcohol costs the National Health Service around  £3.5 billion a year and 8% of all hospital admissions involved alcohol- related conditions. Heavy episodic drinking or binge drinking can lead to over 40 medical conditions including getting into fights, problems at school or work, passing out and having unsafe sex (Wechsler Nelson, 2001). Other long term effects are: liver damage, depression, brain impairment and alcohol problems later in life (McCambridge, McAlaney, Rowe, 2011; Wechsler, Davenport, Dowdall, Moeykens, Castillo, 1994). Reducing the harm caused by alcohol is therefore a priority for the Government. Excessive consumption of alcohol is a major preventable cause of premature mortality with alcohol-related deaths accounting 1.2 million hospital admissions and around 15,000 deaths in 2010 to 2011. This isn’t only a burden on individuals and families but also a drain on hospital resources and public money: every year, alcohol-related harm costs society  £21 billion. There are many contributing factors to the UK’s binge society. The scale of marketing in the UK has an estimated  £800 million on alcohol marketing, A report on alcohol by the last Health Committee highlighted the fact that 96% of 13-year-olds from a sample of 920 were aware of alcohol advertising in at least five