Video Transcription

What is Binge Drinking?

Close your eyes and think about the last time you had a drink. No, like a drink drink. Now, how many did you have? And in what time frame? Were you pacing them and spacing them, or knocking them back like it was an Olympic sport?

If you answered option B, no, you didn’t win gold—you were probably binge drinking. Yes, binge drinking. The act of consuming a lot in a little.

Okay, are your eyes still closed? Good. Keep thinking about that last time you drank. Now answer this: why did you drink that much?

Maybe you just really wanted to have a really, really good time. Or maybe you were feeling uncomfortable, a bit sad, or lonely. Were you trying to fit in with your mates? Or maybe you didn’t quite realise just how much you were drinking.

Whatever your answer, it’s pretty clear that our reasons for overindulging can be not unlike a fancy cocktail list—lengthy, complex, and definitely not one-size-fits-all. While you might get pissed and do nothing more than embarrass yourself a little or give your mates the shits for a bit, the line between what is okay drinking and what isn’t can be a bit slippery.

And to be honest, it’s not really a path you want to be on. It can turn from fun to risky pretty fast.

If you’re feeling like you’re on Slippery Binge Road, there’s heaps you can do to get off it. You have choices—throw in a non-alcoholic drink every now and then, mix things up with some snacks. Most importantly, there are heaps of support options to help you with anything else that’s going on.

In a nutshell, it’s about understanding why you might be binge drinking, making good, informed choices, and just checking yourself before wrecking yourself.

And opening your eyes to think before you drink.

Video by Reach Out