Health experts are sounding the alarm about a risky drinking trend known as BORG, short for ‘blackout rage gallons,’ which has gained popularity among college students from Gen Z.
This trend, highlighted by the National Capital Poison Centre, typically occurs at daytime parties, often referred to as ‘darties.’ Participants carry gallon-sized plastic jugs filled with a potent alcoholic mixture, posing serious health risks.
These BORG drinks usually contain vodka or another distilled alcohol, water, a flavour enhancer, and electrolyte powder or drink. However, the alcohol content far outweighs the other ingredients, leading experts to label it as ‘life-threatening.’
Why You Should Never Try BORG
As per experts raising an alarm online, consuming even one BORG can result in alcohol poisoning and life-threatening levels of alcohol consumption. Unlike jungle juice, a communal party mix, BORGs are designed for personal consumption but with the same objective of getting extremely intoxicated.
A BORG often contains a fifth of vodka or other hard alcohol, equivalent to about 17 standard drinks, which is an alarming amount of alcohol. The surge in BORG drinking is attributed to ‘social contagion,’ exacerbated by the influence of social media platforms like TikTok.
Unfortunately, the trend has led to hospitalisations, notably in 2023 when numerous University of Massachusetts Amherst students, reportedly carrying BORGs, were hospitalised after an off-campus event.
This trend has not only permeated college parties but also high school gatherings, enticing students with the creative aspect of crafting personalised BORGs. TikTok is flooded with videos showcasing various BORG jugs with catchy names like Captain Borgan and Borgan Wallen.
The Danger Of Social Media Trends
The most problematic thing here is that trends like BORG pose the danger of normalizing risky behaviours through social media exposure. The trend's discovery by Sabrina Grimaldi, a 24-year-old editor-in-chief, and her intern Kelly Xiong, 21, underscores how quickly micro-trends like BORG drinking can spread, especially among college-aged individuals.
People are reporting observing widespread adoption of BORGs during parties, where attendees carried personalised gallons of their concoctions. These BORGs are particularly popular at special events, holidays, and outdoor gatherings.
Side Effects Of Binge Drinking
Despite the creativity involved, concerns arise about the lack of control over alcohol intake. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, binge drinking is defined as consuming more than four standard drinks for women and more than five for men within a two-hour timeframe, highlighting the dangers associated with trends like BORG drinking.
Here are the side effects of binge drinking on health:
- Alcohol Poisoning: Binge drinking raises the blood alcohol concentration to dangerous levels, leading to alcohol poisoning which can cause confusion, vomiting, seizures, slow or irregular breathing, and unconsciousness. In severe cases, alcohol poisoning can be life-threatening.
- Liver Damage: Excessive alcohol consumption overloads the liver, leading to inflammation (alcoholic hepatitis), fatty liver, and eventually, liver cirrhosis. These conditions can impair liver function and lead to serious complications.
- Cardiovascular Issues: Binge drinking increases the risk of heart problems such as high blood pressure, irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias), cardiomyopathy (weakening of the heart muscle), and an increased risk of stroke.
- Brain Impairment: Alcohol affects brain function, leading to impaired judgment, memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and coordination problems. Prolonged binge drinking can contribute to cognitive deficits and neurological disorders.
- Mental Health Effects: Binge drinking is linked to mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and mood swings. It can also exacerbate existing mental health conditions and increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviours.
- Digestive System Problems: Binge drinking can irritate the stomach lining, leading to gastritis, ulcers, and digestive issues. It also increases the risk of pancreatitis, a painful inflammation of the pancreas.
- Immune System Suppression: Excessive alcohol consumption weakens the immune system, making the body more susceptible to infections and delaying healing processes.
- Increased Risk of Accidents: Binge drinking impairs judgment, coordination, and reaction times, increasing the risk of accidents, injuries, and fatalities from falls, motor vehicle accidents, and other mishaps.
The BORG drinking trend poses significant health risks, leading to alcohol poisoning and other dangerous consequences. Its rapid spread, fueled by social media, highlights the need for awareness about the dangers of binge drinking and the normalisation of risky behaviours online. Understanding the side effects of binge drinking is crucial in promoting responsible alcohol consumption and safeguarding individuals' health and well-being.