The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

Is a binge drinker the same as an alcoholic?

Is Binge Drinking Considered Alcoholism? Binge drinking does not necessarily mean that a person is an alcoholic or suffers from severe AUD. However, binge drinking may increase the risk of a person developing AUD sometime in their life.

Why does binge drinking occur?

What Causes Binge Drinking? Why do people binge drink? Sometimes it’s because of social pressure, or because they want to feel less anxious or awkward in a social setting. Young people may feel pressured to binge drink at seasonal events, such as prom or a sporting event.