Posted on 01/26/2012 11:11:27 AM PST by neverdem
Back in 2003, responding to a CDC report on binge drinking, I noted that "one man's dinner party is another man's binge—especially if the other man has a degree in public health." Based on more recent survey data, the CDC now warns that "binge drinking* is a bigger problem than previously thought," involving 38 million American adults. That asterisk is well-earned, because the CDC continues to define "binge drinking" as "men drinking 5 or more alcoholic drinks within a short period of time or women drinking 4 or more drinks within a short period of time." If a "short period of time" meant 15 minutes, most Americans (except the ones who are currently binge drinking) probably would agree this pattern of consumption is excessive. But the questionnaire used to generate the CDC's data actually asks about drinks consumed "on an occasion," which could refer to an evening, a day, or a two-week cruise. Even if we pick the shortest of these periods, an after-work cocktail plus a few glasses of wine during dinner, followed by a digestif or nightcap, would be enough to qualify as a binge.
"To a person who drinks several glasses of wine while dining out or during a party with friends," concedes New York Times health writer Tara Parker-Pope, "the idea of consuming four or five drinks in an evening may not sound excessive for the circumstances." But did you know "this level of drinking would typically raise blood alcohol levels to 0.08 percent and make a person legally impaired to drive"? Not only that, but "a large body of evidence shows that drinking at that level is associated with a number of health hazards, including car accidents, injuries, violence and risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease." According to the CDC, this scientific evidence conclusively...
(Excerpt) Read more at reason.com ...
/johnny
Sounds like the basis for the new “Liberal Nanny State” drinking game!
Ummm...noted. But at what point would the person who has "an after-work cocktail plus a few glasses of wine during dinner, followed by a digestif or nightcap" be inclined to operate a motor vehicle?
On the way from the dining room to the living room?
Bump for later, when at an appropriate time at the end of the workday, I can comment from a knowledgeable perspective.
drinking at that level is associated with a number of health hazards, including car accidents, injuries, violence and risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease.
Well, that's basically the fun of it, except for the car accidents, I'm not into general mayhem, I like it more focused.
LOL. I'm picturing someone driving around their house in one of those scooters that elderly people use. :)
No kidding! The liqour/beer industries must be doing blockbuster buisness....I would invest in those stocks foor the upcoming year..No matter if Obama wins/loses people will want to either drown their sorrows or celebrate! LOL
I belong to an Italian Citizens Club. If I don’t have four beers in front of me by 7:00. Someone is a cheap bastard.
Yesterday was my gf’s birthday.
We met up at a bar after work and I had two beers.
Then I took her to dinner where we shared a bottle of wine with our meal.
I am a bad American.
I’ve always wanted to belong to a club like that.
heck, I’m Indian, I’ll drink lighter fluid with an antifreeze chaser
They call it a binge, my family and friends called it “Lunch” (Me included)
I am a firm believer in moderate drinking which is why I like to get mine in by noon.
I do fit into a group! 1 of 38 million and on a good day I should get credit for 2.
Sounds to me like there is a BIG alcohol tax coming. For our own good of course.
I’ve been on a binge since November of 2008.
I drink to pursue happiness. And I usually obtain it.
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