Clearly, a combination of classic binge drinking measures and assessments of extreme binge drinking is warranted to refine our understanding of such high levels of alcohol use among youth. Differentiating between levels of binge drinking, in terms of both behavioral predictors and resulting consequences, may help determine specific risks, and contribute to more effective screening and tailored intervention methods. The results of this study help to reconcile what seemed like conflicting findings—namely that reported levels of 5+ binge drinking were declining in recent years among adolescents45 at the same time that medical emergencies involving alcohol use by teens were rising.73
