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Health experts warn against dangerous Gen-Z 'BORG' drinking trend

May 22, 2024

According to the National Capital Poison Center, BORG drinking—popularized by Gen Z college students—typically occurs during day parties, popularly known as “darties,” where participants carry around a gallon-sized plastic jug that has a powerful alcoholic concoction inside. (Ward, 2024)

The gallon-sized plastic jug is known as a BORG, which is short for Blackout Rage Gallon. Party goers usually give their BORG a nickname, typically a play on the word "BORG" like "Justin Bieborg." (Shultz, 2024)

The light-heartedness of the name, however, belies the potentially dangerous contents. Each jug contains primarily vodka or some other distilled alcohol as well as water, a flavor enhancer, and an electrolyte powder or drink—a mixture that experts consider to be life-threatening when it's intended to be consumed by one person. In some cases, teens are carrying jugs containing up to 17 standard servings of alcohol. (Ward, 2024; Shultz, 2024)

“Drinking one can lead to potentially life-threatening consumption and alcohol poisoning,” Stanford psychiatry and addiction medicine professor Dr Anna Lembke explained to CNN. (Ward, 2024)

Last March, 46 students from the University of Massachusetts Amherst were hospitalized from drinking BORGs. A total of 28 ambulances were needed to take them to the hospital. (Shultz, 2024)

Sources:

Ward, Terry. (2024, May 20). CNN. What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains. https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/20/health/borg-blackout-rage-gallon-wellness/index.html

Shultz, Cara Lynn. (2024, May 21). People. College Students Are Getting Blackout Drunk on 'BORG' Drinks -- Why the Gen-Z Trend is So Dangerous. https://people.com/borg-blackout-rage-gallon-tiktok-college-kids-alcohol-poisoning-8651775