KEY POINTS:
SYDNEY - A third of Australians aged 18 to 24 are classified as binge drinkers, with nearly one-in-four drinking to the point of passing out on at least five occasions, a new study reveals.
The research, commissioned by the Alcohol Education & Rehabilitation Foundation (AER), also found one-in-three people in that age bracket who typically drank 10 or more drinks did not see themselves as binge drinkers.
The survey, of 500 men and women across Australia, found 44 per cent had drunk so much they passed out on at least one occasion and 22 per cent on five or more occasions.
Four per cent admitted to having passed out in excess of 20 times.
The survey also showed binge drinkers tended to cling together - finding they are more likely to befriend, date and consider marrying other excessive drinkers.
According to National Health and Medical Research Council guidelines, men who drink 11 or more drinks in one sitting are considered to be binge drinking, while seven drinks puts women in the danger zone.
The AER study also revealed binge drinkers were more likely to have a one night stand when they were drunk.
But at the same time, 59 per cent of respondents said they felt alcohol affected their sex life in a negative way.
An overwhelming 96 per cent said it also had a negative effect on their weight.
However, 85 per cent of 18- to 24-year-olds said they would seek help if they had a drinking problem.
AER now plans to work with the music, fashion and media industries, to kick-off a national campaign called Fresh Party.
To begin on Saturday, April 14, in Sydney, it will be a daytime event aimed at turning around the image of binge drinking from being considered a form of entertainment.
"Binge drinking is a wide-spread community problem," AER director Cheryl Bart said.
"We're targeting 18- to 24-year-olds because that's where we feel the greatest challenge and opportunity lies to begin shifting this cultural problem."
Following on from the Sydney event, will be an on-going calendar of Fresh events.
- AAP
