Adolescent binge drinking, typically defined as the consumption of five or more alcoholic drinks on a single occasion at least once every 2 weeks (Johnston et al., 2002), is a major public health problem. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (SAMHSA, 2007) found that among the 10.8 million underage drinkers aged 12 to 20 in 2005, nearly one-fifth (18.8%) were binge drinkers with more males (21.3%) than females (16.1%) reporting participated in heavy episodic drinking in the past 12 months. Not only is adolescent binge drinking prevalent, but excessive consumption of alcohol by adolescents has been associated with a host of immediate and long-term adverse outcomes including obesity and high blood pressure (Oesterle et al., 2004), neurobehavioral and cognitive symptoms (e.g., headaches, difficulty concentrating, trouble remembering, trouble learning; Brook, Finch, Whiteman, & Brook, 2002; Scheier & Botvin, 1995), unwanted and unprotected sexual activity (Fergusson & Lynskey, 1996; Smart, 1996; Thakker, 1998), unsafe driving practices and motor vehicle crashes (Copeland, Shope, & Waller, 1996; Oesterle et al., 2004; Zakrajsek & Shope, 2007), poor academic attainment (Hill et al., 2000), and adult alcohol disorder (Schulenberg, 1996).
