Binge Culture

Excessive alcohol consumption can have a wide range of adverse effects - medical, personal and social. These depend on both the overall amount of alcohol consumed and on the pattern of consumption. To most people, binge drinking brings to mind a self-destructive and unrestrained drinking bout lasting for at least a couple of days during which time the heavily intoxicated drinker "drops out" by not working, ignoring responsibilities, squandering money, and engaging in other harmful behaviours such as fighting or risky sex. This view is consistent with that portrayed in all forms of media, newspapers, magazines and even TV shows. In today’s public eye binge describes an extended period of time (typically at least two days) during which time a person repeatedly becomes intoxicated and gives up his or her usual activities and obligations in order to become intoxicated. It is the combination of prolonged use and the giving up of usual activities that forms the core of the clinical definition of binge.

Men should drink no more than 21 units of alcohol per week (and no more than four units in any one day). 1 pint of lager = 2 units

Women should drink no more than 14 units of alcohol per week (and no more than three units in any one day). 1 glass of wine, 125ml = 1 unit

The more you drink above these limits, the greater the risk of developing serious problems such as liver disease. Although on the other hand it is said by experts that for men over 40 and for women past the menopause, drinking a small amount of alcohol (1-2 units per day) helps to protect against heart disease and stroke.

The idea behind this project is to unearth some of the stigma behind binge drinking, specifically with one age group in mind, 16 to 21 year olds. With a series of twelve images, which show six females and six males, it is possible, to get an idea of what today’s youth will drink on an average Saturday night? Although a list of their favourite drink is revealed their identity is hidden. The results of this test are startling, only two of the subject chose not to drink, where as all the others drank more than the recommended weekly limit in just one evening. The idea behind this project is for the format of each image to be the same as the next. When viewed in different locations the observer will realise, after seeing more than one, that each poster has a different person with a different drink preference. This idea should make a viewer automatically look for more images and subconsciously absorb the message behind them.