A standard drink equals 0.5 oz of alcohol as is found in one 12-oz beer, one 5-oz glass of wine, or one 1.5-oz shot of distilled spirits (NIAAA, 2004). This definition of binge drinking is similar to many used in epidemiological studies, which employ quantity (BAC), consumption amounts, and episode duration. The definition does not specify, however, the time period or number of binging occurrences that would describe a long-term binge-drinking practice. Thus, NIAAA's definition characterizes single binge episodes but does not capture the consumption pattern associated with serious health and social consequences.
