CREDIT: CANOE.CA
Binge drinking is a major problem among young people in college. It can lead to alcohol poisoning or even a trip to the emergency room.

Going out with your friends and having a drink or two is usually no big deal, but when those drinks become six or seven, there could be a serious problem developing.

Some people may not even realize that they are binge drinking, especially younger people. When asked if she knew what binge drinking was, Madison (who asked that we change her name to protect her privacy), an 18-year-old high school student who has suffered the consequences of binge drinking, said, “Isn't that when you drink so much that you pass out?” This is a common misconception.

Binge drinking is consuming large quantities of alcohol in a single sitting. It does not necessarily mean that you black out, but this large quantity of alcohol will have other negative effects on your body. “Your body is poisoned by excessive intake of alcohol. We see every age group come in the ER from binge drinking, but more commonly ages 18 to 24 on the weekend from parties.We see people as young as 12,” said Darlene Evans, an emergency room doctor formerly based in London.

When Madison was 16 years old, she began to drink casually with friends on the weekends. Eventually her binge drinking went too far and she suffered alcohol poisoning. “Waking up and not knowing where I was is the scariest thing that's ever happened to me,” she remembered. “Realizing I was in the hospital made me feel even worse.”

Madison is only one of many teens who over-drink and suffer the consequences. Ontario's Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care reported in 2007 that one-quarter of 12- to 19-year-olds had consumed five or more drinks — considered “heavy drinking” — on at least one occasion in the past year.

Alcohol poisoning can be very dangerous and can cause seizures, vomiting, hypothermia, permanent brain damage, severe dehydration and even result in death. “Often the only treatment is oxygen support, fluid and time for recovery. IV fluid helps flush the alcohol through the system a little faster and helps rehydrate, minimizing the hangover experience,” said Evans.

It only takes one bad night to ruin relationships with family members and friends. “My family lost all trust in me and it took over two years for them to let me hang out at other people's houses. This is not something you can just forget about,” said Madison. Something like this not only affects a person as an individual, but everyone who is close to them as well.

There are a few precautions that you can take to prevent binge drinking when going out with your friends.

Try bringing a specific amount of money — this way you won't overspend on beverages. Suggest going out to eat before drinking, because food slows down the absorption and effects of alcohol. Also, talk to your friends and make them aware of your concerns. Ask them to help you stay on track and limit your drinks.

While you're drinking, there are a few more precautions that you can follow to keep you safe. The first thing you should do is make sure you keep track of how many drinks you have. Just because a nice guy offers to buy you a drink does not mean you should accept it, especially if you've had a few already. Pacing yourself is very important. If you throw back drinks too quickly, you will not be able to tell how much it is affecting you until the effects begin to set in. Blood alcohol content does not rise immediately, so you should try to limit yourself to one drink per hour to prevent over-drinking in a short amount of time. One smart thing to do that will also help you pace yourself is to have a glass of water after each drink. This will keep your hands busy and prevent hangover symptoms like dehydration.

Do not be afraid to help people who are in need. If you suspect a friend is drinking too much or may have alcohol poisoning, don't hesitate to call for help. On campus, you can go to Counselling and Accessibility Services in F2010.

“I learned my lesson and I will never ever drink that much again... It's not worth it,” said Madison. No one wants to wake up in a hospital. In no way is that a sign of a good night. Drinking can be a fun, social experience, if you keep it under control.