Binge Drinking A Bigger Problem Than Most People ThinkCHARLOTTE, NC- Binge drinking may be a bigger problem among women and girls than most people think. A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows one in eight women and one in five high school girls admit doing it. Four or more drinks at one time is considered a binge. "When it's social drinking, it's a choice. When it crosses over from social drinking to binge drinking, it now becomes a craving and an addiction that your body needs," said Latoya Petersenm, a substance abuse counselor at Genesis Project 1. Petersen says she has seen first hand the effects binge drinking has on local women and families. "They can start being abusive. Abusive to their spouses, abusive to their kids... even abusive to themselves," said Petersen. According to the study, teenage girls and 18 to 34 year-old women who live in a household with an annual income over 75 thousand dollars are more likely to binge drink. Experts link peer pressure, depression and accessibility to more girls drinking. But when it comes to women... "Mom is overwhelmed and alcohol can become mother's little helper," said Susan Morrow, a psychotherapist. Morrow points to increased family and financial stress. "We feel the the pressure of... we have to be super mom and we have to have super children," said Morrow. Binge drinking can be especially dangerous for teens. "It impairs your judgement, so higher risk of pregnancy and STDs. Their judgement is impaired so they're going to start doing things that they may not normally do," said Petersen. The CDC warns binge drinking also puts women at a higher risk for breast cancer and heart disease. |
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