A recurring question at In-house Training
Often at an in house RSA course I get asked 'Hey Bill, what is a definition of binge drinking?'. At my last course before I could launch into an answer, a voice from the back of the room answered for me 'In Ireland, it's when a farmer comes down from the field into town and does not come back for three days on the lash - it was an entertaining and obviously a tongue firmly in cheek answer and it got me thinking about an appropriate answer. Binge drinking is heavy episodic drinking withtn the primary intention of becoming intoxicated by heavy consumption of alcohol over a short period of time. However there is no world wide consensus to be taken as a definitive. For example we often talk about a 'standard drink ' - but this differs around then world - in the uk this is 10 mls or 8 gramms of pure alcohol - in Japan it is 19.75 grams of pure alcohol - in the united states it is 18 mls of 14 grams of pure alcohol - in Australia/New Zealand it is 10 grams of pure alcohol - and in Ireland it is 10 grams of pure alcohol
In the USA a 'binge' is referred to as five or more standard drinks for men and 4 drinks for women consumed on one ocasion - this is known as the 5/4 definition. Also in the US The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism - defines a 'binge' as a pattern of drinking that brings a persons blood alcohol concentration to 0.08 grams percent or above - this would generally happen when men consume 5 or more drinks and when women cosume 4 or more drinks in a 2 hour period - but as alcohol effects people differently this is not scientific.
In the UK a 'binge' is defined as drinking more than twice the daily limit, that is , drinking 8 units or more for men and 6 units for women (roughly the same as 5 or 4 usa drinks respectively)
In Ireland Binge drinking is defined as drinking at least 6 standard drinks (60g of pure alcohol) on a single drinking occasion.
So as you can see, it is confusing, as there is not a set defintion - I would reccomemd that bar servers enroll in the RSA WORKSHOP - either online or in house training to get further practical information that is right for your establishment . You can call Louisa on 01-6875755 to book your place.
