Binge Drinking Binge Drinking results from a student's submission to peer pressure, a lack of external control over the student, and denial that drinking leads to serious consequences. Binge drinking is defined as five or more drinks in a row for men and four or more drinks in a row for women during a two-week period (Wechsler). Many students participate in binge drinking to be socially accepted in a group. Other students find it difficult to choose to be the sober outsider. Many binge drinkers realize that there is little immediate outside influence to steer them away from alcohol and they abuse their independence. Most binge drinkers do not consider themselves problem drinkers, which increases the difficulty in solving this campus epidemic. They associate binge drinking with having fun, but many are blind to the harm it causes, such as failing grades and unplanned sexual encounters. Binge drinking has become an accepted part of the college experience for many students. While there are other reasons why a student may choose to binge drink, the influence of friends, lack of external control, and denial of alcohol-related problems are the primary forces that drive the need to consume alcohol to the point of causing physical damage. being sociable increases the willingness to binge on alcohol. Social drinking has become a necessary activity at most weekend college parties. Students seek information about the types of alcoholic beverages available before attending a party. Having a few drinks has become synonymous with having fun. A high alcohol tolerance earns respect from peers. Those who vomit after a few drinks are ridiculed, including women. Rates of excessive alcohol use are highest among members of fraternities and sororities, demonstrating the need for drinking to fit in with peers. The question is whether Greek life attracts or creates binge drinkers. "Many fraternities and sororities are functional saloons. 86% of the men and 80% of the women who live in fraternities and sororities are binge drinkers" (Wechsler). Unfortunately, the vast majority of students are not aware of their need to fit in friends and the inability to make individual decisions leads them to have dangerous drinking habits. Another circumstance that influences college binge eating is the lack of external control over the college student. For children, parents exercise this control. As seniors, that control can come in the form of a spouse or employer.