Binge drinking
Binge drinking refers to heavy drinking over a short period of time with the intention and result of getting intoxicated or drunk.
When you drink alcohol, it reaches your brain within five minutes, affecting the way you think, feel and behave. With every drink, the risk of accident and injury increases, both for the person drinking and others around them.
The short-term effects
The most immediate effects of alcohol are on the brain. This can include feelings of relaxation and confidence, because alcohol slows the part of the brain that controls inhibition. The more you drink, the more you feelings and behaviour change. This is because the level of alcohol in your blood increases, also know as blood alcohol concentration (BAC).
When BAC increases, the effects of alcohol in slowing down the brain become more obvious. This is what causes slurred speech, slower reaction times, impaired judgement, and difficulty walking. While it varies from person to person, a healthy adult can expect the following short-term effects as their BAC increases.
| Blood alcohol Concentration (BAC) | Effects |
|---|---|
| 0.05% - 0.08 g% |
|
| 0.08% - 0.15 g% |
|
| 0.15% - 0.30 g% |
|
| Over 0.30 g% |
|
Find out more about factors that can impact BAC.
Short term risks of alcohol use
- Increased risk of injury (falls, assault, road crashes, drowning)
- Unwanted or unsafe sex
- Treating others in a way they normally wouldn’t, like arguing or having a fight
- Family, domestic and sexual violence
- Poor mental health, self-harm and suicide
- Sleeping problems
- Vomiting, alcohol poisoning and blackouts
- Hangovers
Binge drinking (drinking more than 4 standard drinks in one occasion or over a short period) significantly increases your risk of experiencing harm. The health risks are even more serious if you’re under 18.
Short-term harms of alcohol can not only impact the individual, but also family, friends and the wider community.
Alcohol poisoning
Alcohol poisoning occurs when a person’s BAC is so high it reaches a toxic level. It is serious and can be fatal.
Symptoms include:
- vomiting
- pale skin
- decrease in body temperature
- unconsciousness (passing out)
- confusion
- slow or irregular breathing
- loss of co-ordination
- seizures
If you think someone has alcohol poisoning, call triple zero (000) for an ambulance immediately.
Page last updated7 August 2023