Binge drinking today: learning lessons from the past

Binge drinking is a matter of current social, media and political concern. Within the current debates binge drinking is sometimes portrayed as a recent phenomenon, but in fact it has a history and concern about binge drinking is not new. This paper sets the phenomenon in its historical context by examining how the nature and definition of binge drinking has changed over time. Aims: The overall aim is to draw lessons for policy through the interaction of social science and historical perspectives. Methods: A literature review was conducted and a workshop brought together researchers, policy makers and practitioners to consider current perceptions of binge drinking, current responses and possible future approaches. Findings: From this study it is evident that that the meaning ascribed to the term 'binge drinking' has changed over time but further research is required to establish quite how and why this shift came about. Parallels can be drawn between the current concerns about 'binge drinking' and those about the 'gin craze' of the eighteenth century: they are both focused on public drunkenness, urban locations and women's drinking and the media has played a pivotal role in shaping the response to the 'crisis'.