[Binge drinking in adolescents and young adults]

Various studies in industrialised European and non-European countries have expressed concern about the link between alcoholic drinks (e. g. alcoholic sodas, so called "alcopops") and binge drinking in adolescents and young adults. Binge drinkingBinge drinking (consuming rapidly four or more alcoholic drinks over a short period of time) has bee... has been shown to be associated with considerable social harm and disease burden. Adolescent alcohol abuse including binge drinking is common, but the extent of the problem and the specific risk factors leading to binge drinking behaviour remains unclear. Although the long-term health of adolescent binge drinking has not been studied in detail, first studies report an elevated risk for physical injury, aggression, violent or driving offences while intoxicated and high-risk sexual behaviour. To date, a variety of socio-demographical characteristics associated with binge drinking have been studied. However, knowledge in this area is limited, as most research has been conducted among specific groups (i. e. North American college students, adolescents in Australia etc.). More and intensive research in Germany and other European countries is urgently needed, as results from other cultural backgrounds are not necessarily transferable.