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Editorial
Binge drinking is a widespread problem on most military installations – a problem that not only interferes with the mission but also carries with it serious risks of disease, injury and death. Binge drinking occurs when someone drinks four to five alcoholic beverages in a row.
In other words, binge drinking is when you drink to get drunk. Studies have shown that frequent binge drinking could risk serious damage to the brain and increase memory loss later in adulthood. Even worse, the younger the start of binge drinking, the more likely a person will suffer these effects. Suddenly, that joke about drinking to kill a few brain cells is not so funny.
But binge drinking affects more than health – it can affect careers. People who binge drink are more likely to miss work, drink and drive, get into fights and damage property. Any one of these actions could result in administrative punishment, to include an Article 15. Take the following example from the files of “You don’t think when you drink.”
A squadron party took place in the dorms. Members were taking shots, playing drinking games and chugging beer. During the night, one of them had the idea to recreate a stunt he had seen in a popular movie which included drinking hazardous liquids. Three others agreed to help him set it up. Just before the member performed the stunt, a friend agreed to videotape it for “posterity.” Although no one was seriously hurt from the stunt, the member who performed it vomited several times.
Somehow, the chain of command heard what happened and viewed the videotape. All four members received Articles 15 for dereliction of duty and conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline. Obviously, if these members would have been thinking, they would not have recklessly endangered the health of themselves or their friend. Their ability to think rationally was impaired due to their binge drinking.
Drinking alcohol is not a sport. Moderate drinking in appropriate circumstances presents little or no harm to the drinker. Responsible drinkers know when to stop.
Drinking to get drunk is dangerous and could affect one’s health and career. Please, think before drinking!
