Term: Binge Drinking

Glossary Definition

Last Updated: 2015-05-22

Definition:

Binge drinking is commonly defined in the social sciences as having five or more alcoholic drinks on one occasion.

According to Health Canada, binge drinking is linked to motor vehicle accidents, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and other health issues, family problems, crime and violence. Data for this measure originally came from the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS). In the CCHS, one drink was defined as: one bottle or can of beer or a glass of draft, one glass of wine or a wine cooler, or one drink or cocktail with 1 ½ ounces of liquor.

For more information, see the concept Binge Drinking and Frequency of Binge Drinking.

Related concepts 

• Binge Drinking - Measuring Prevalence

Related terms 

• Adolescent Alcohol Consumption - (CCHS Survey Data)
• Adolescent Drinking - (CCHS Survey Data)
• Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS)
• Frequency of Binge Drinking
• Frequency of Having Five or More Drinks with Alcohol - (CCHS Survey Data)

References 

• Fransoo R, Martens P, Burland E, The Need to Know Team, Prior H, Burchill C. Manitoba RHA Indicators Atlas 2009. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2009. [Report] [Summary] [Additional Materials] (View)

Term used in 

• Chartier M, Finlayson G, Prior H, McGowan K, Chen H, de Rocquigny J, Walld R, Gousseau M. Health and Healthcare Utilization of Francophones in Manitoba. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2012. [Report] [Summary] (View)
• Fransoo R, Martens P, Prior H, Chateau D, McDougall C, Schultz J, McGowan K, Soodeen R, Bailly A. Adult Obesity in Manitoba: Prevalence, Associations, and Outcomes. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2011. [Report] [Summary] (View)
• Martens P, Nickel N, Forget E, Lix L, Turner D, Prior H, Walld R, Soodeen RA, Rajotte L, Ekuma O. The Cost of Smoking: A Manitoba Study. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2015. [Report] [Summary] [Updates and Errata] [Additional Materials] (View)