An initial view defined binge drinking as at least five alcoholic drinks consumed during the same session (Cahalan, Cisin, & Crossley, 1969). However, the comprehensive College Alcohol Study (CAS) conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health characterized binge drinking as five drinks for men and four drinks for women on a single occasion within the past 2 weeks (Wechsler, Davenport, Dowdall, Moeykens, & Castillo, 1994). The adjustment to the four-drink cutoff for women was based on their lower rate of gastric metabolism for alcohol, which leads to higher blood alcohol levels compared with men for the same quantity (Wechsler, Dowdall, Davenport, & Rimm, 1995). The 5/4 definition is consistent with findings that after consumption of this amount or more, individuals are at greater risk for exhibiting serious alcohol-related problems (e.g., vandalism, fights, injuries, drunk driving, trouble with police, etc.) and subsequent negative health, social, economic, or legal consequences (Wechsler, 2000).
