The University of Massachusetts warned about the health risks of the recent TikTok drinking trend - "Blackout Rage Gallons."
BORGs have gained popularity among college students. BORGs are a blend of alcohol, water, flavoring, and electrolytes.
While some consider BORGs a way to reduce the harm caused by drinking, others argue that it is merely another form of binge drinking.
Although BORGs provide students with the ability to manage their alcohol consumption, there is a legitimate worry about the quantity of alcohol that they can hold.
University of Massachusetts warns about the TikTok trend
A new preferred beverage among college-aged students nationwide has emerged, as indicated by the hashtag #BORGs, which has garnered over 73 million views on TikTok.
However, according to ABC, the University of Massachusetts is cautioning against the TikTok drinking trend after 28 ambulances were called to off-campus parties.
Students were seen carrying jugs labeled "blackout rage gallons" or "BORGs." Officials say this is the first instance of widespread BORGs use at off-campus parties observed by the university.
The Amherst Fire Department stated that none of the cases were life-threatening, but there were so many requests for ambulances due to alcohol intoxication among students that neighboring agencies had to intervene.
UMass Police reported two arrests for underage drinking. In a statement, the university said the weekend would be evaluated, and measures would be taken to enhance alcohol education.
Incoming students were already educated about the physiological and medical risks of binge drinking.
The weekend's festivities, known among UMass students as the "Blarney Blowout," is an annual, unsanctioned event linked to St. Patrick's Day.
Health noted that while BORGs may be founded on reducing the harm caused by drinking, the significant amount of alcohol used in certain gallons has raised concerns among experts.
Read Also: Prince William County Public Schools Considers Adding Weapon Scanners to Keep Students Safe
Are BORGs and Binge drinking the same?
Most online tutorials recommend adding roughly 750 milliliters, or approximately 17 shots, to a half-gallon of water when making a BORG.
However, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism's criteria, consuming just a portion of such a BORG (approximately four or five shots) could increase blood-alcohol concentrations to over 0.08 percent within a few hours, constituting binge drinking.
According to Fox8, Amelia McCoun, a licensed professional counselor and Texas Tech University's Student Wellness department member, the likelihood of consuming too much alcohol rises as BAC does.
She added that considering this information, she believes there is a chance that consuming BORGs could raise the risk of binge drinking or alcohol overdose. However, this would depend on the quantity of alcohol added to the BORG and the rate at which it is consumed.
Nonetheless, McCoun emphasized various favorable aspects of the trend, such as its ability to prevent the spread of bacteria and harmful viruses that would otherwise infect communal beverages.
BORGs has the potential to aid in harm reduction in several ways. Most importantly, many drinkers create and consume their own BORGs, meaning they are aware of the ingredients used.
A BORG enables the individual to add as much or as little alcohol as they desire into their own container, or they may choose not to include any alcohol at all without anyone else knowing.
However, harm reduction techniques can only assist in minimizing harm and cannot eliminate the hazards associated with drug or alcohol use.
