Perkins, H. Wesley, William DeJong, and Jeff Linkenbach. 2001. "Estimated Blood Alcohol Levels Reached by ‘Binge' and ‘Non-Binge' Drinkers: A Survey of Young Adults in Montana." Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, Vol. 15, No. 4, pp. 317-320.
The authors examined estimated blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) reached by so-called “binge drinkers” and “nonbinge drinkers” using a survey of young adults (age 18-24) in Montana. One third of drinkers were classified as “binge drinkers” the last time they consumed alcohol, using a gender-specific definition commonly applied to young adults: for men, having five or more drinks in a row, and for women, having four or more drinks. BAC levels were estimated on the basis of length of drinking episode, gender, weight, and typical alcohol consumption level. Among “binge drinkers,” 63% did not reach .10% BAC or higher, 48% did not reach .08% BAC or higher, and 30% did not reach .06% BAC or higher. Of the “nonbinge drinkers,” 7% reached .06% BAC of higher and 4% reached .08% BAC or higher. The findings underscore the potential problem of using binge drinking as a description and shorthand measure of drinking intoxication.