Health Experts Warn of Hazardous Gen-Z 'BORG' Drinking Trend

Health experts are sounding the alarm on the perilous Gen-Z 'BORG' drinking trend. This trend, prevalent among young adults, poses significant health risks and warrants immediate attention. Experts caution against its potential dangers, urging individuals and communities to take proactive measures to address and mitigate the associated risks. Stay informed about this concerning trend and take steps to protect yourself and others from its harmful effects.

Health experts express concern over the rising popularity of blackout rage gallons, often referred to as BORGs, among Generation Z.

Health experts have raised an alarm regarding the perilous BORG drinking trend, also dubbed as "blackout rage gallons," which has gained traction among college students from Generation Z. According to the National Capital Poison Center, BORG consumption typically occurs during day parties, often termed as "darties," where participants carry gallon-sized plastic jugs containing a potent alcoholic mixture. 

These concoctions usually consist of vodka or another distilled spirit, along with water, flavorings, and electrolyte additives. However, experts warn that the alcohol content in these jugs far outweighs other ingredients, reaching potentially life-threatening levels.

"Consuming just one BORG can result in dangerously high alcohol intake and lead to alcohol poisoning," cautioned Dr. Anna Lembke, a professor of psychiatry and addiction medicine at Stanford, in an interview with CNN.

In contrast to the traditional jungle juice, typically served in large batches for communal consumption, BORGs are intended for individual consumption. Nevertheless, their ultimate objective remains the same: to induce extreme intoxication.

"A BORG typically holds a considerable volume, equivalent to approximately a fifth of vodka or other hard liquor, totaling around 17 standard drinks, which constitutes an immense quantity of alcohol," explained Dr. Lembke. She attributes the surge in BORG consumption to "social contagion," exacerbated by the widespread use of social media platforms such as TikTok.

"Children observe their peers engaging in this behavior and feel compelled to replicate it," she elaborated. "This presents another significant risk - the normalization of hazardous behavior through its dissemination on social media."

Sabrina Grimaldi, the 24-year-old founder and editor-in-chief of The Zillennial Zine, revealed that she became aware of the trend when her 21-year-old intern, Kelly Xiong, pitched a story on the growing popularity of binge-drinking phenomena. Despite being relatively close in age, Grimaldi, who had been removed from the college party scene for five years, expressed surprise at how rapidly things had evolved. She remarked, "It's astonishing how these microtrends emerge, even among people of similar age."

Xiong stumbled upon the growing trend of BORG drinking during a St. Patrick’s block darty, where she observed that almost everyone was toting gallons filled with their own mixtures. She mentioned to the outlet that BORGs gained particular traction during "special occasion darties," often held to mark holidays or outdoor festivities.

The prevalence of BORGs has garnered widespread attention, often making headlines due to their association with the hospitalization of enthusiastic partygoers. In a notable incident in 2023, numerous University of Massachusetts Amherst students, purportedly carrying BORGs, were hospitalized following an off-campus gathering.

BORGs have not only gained popularity within the college party scene but have also found their way into high school circles, where students are reportedly attracted to the creative aspect of crafting their own BORG concoctions.

On platforms like TikTok, BORG-related content proliferates, featuring a variety of jugs adorned with pun-inspired names such as Captain Borgan, Borgan Donor, and Borgan Wallen.

"You have to give your BORG a name and get creative by writing it on with a Sharpie," explained Virginia, a high school senior. However, she acknowledged the challenge of regulating alcohol intake, particularly since many people pour alcohol into their BORGs without measuring. "Nobody really keeps track of how much they're going to drink."

According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), the typical drink in the US contains 1 to 1.5 ounces of hard liquor, 5 ounces of wine, or 12 ounces of beer. Men and women have different drinking guidelines, with experts defining binge-drinking as consuming more than four standard drinks for women and more than five for men within a two-hour period.

Source: independent