A recently released report shows binge drinking is still prevalent throughout the country, and experts say UF is no exception.
The report, published this month by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, states that more than 90 percent of the alcohol youth drink is consumed while binge drinking.
According to the CDC's January 2012 Vital Signs report, most binge drinkers in the U.S. are 18 to 34 years old.
"Individuals in that age range, for the most part, tend to be more accepting of binge drinking among their peers," said Lisa Merlo, a clinical psychologist at UF. "It plays a larger role in social interactions compared to some other age groups."
UF's Core Alcohol and Drug Survey confirms that UF is no stranger to the issue of binge drinking. According to the 2010 survey, 41.6 percent of participating students reported having five or more drinks in one sitting within two weeks of taking the survey.
The CDC defines binge drinking as consuming four or more alcoholic beverages within a short period of time for women and five or more for men.
Additionally, more than half of UF students surveyed reported having a hangover in the past year, and about one third admitted to having memory loss due to drinking.
However, the survey stated that 5.8 percent or less of people who took the survey considered their drinking a problem.
"With that age group, regardless of whether you're in college or not, there's that feeling of invincibility that a lot of young people have," said Maureen Miller, coordinator for alcohol and drug prevention at UF.
College students are not immune to the consequences of binge drinking, said Cara Bearison, 20-year-old management sophomore.
"It's not fun for you because you'll probably throw up and not remember anything," Bearison said. "You're putting yourself at risk for basically anything bad that could happen to you, so I think it's dangerous."
Despite high levels of alcohol abuse among students, percentages of alcohol use have decreased gradually since 2004, according to the UF survey.
"I like to think that's a positive sign — kind of contributing to the work that we have been doing," Miller said. "I feel really good about the direction that we're heading."
