Study Highlights Risks Associated with Borg Drinking Trend on U.S. College Campuses

Recent research reveals that borgs, a drinking trend on college campuses, might promote harmful alcohol consumption. Borgs stand for “black-out rage gallons” and are homemade cocktails combining liquor, water, supplements, and flavorings, usually carried in repurposed milk jugs.

This trend gained traction in the early 2020s through social media. Advocates prefer borgs to control beverage content and avoid shared drinks that can be tampered with or contaminated. Amelia McCoun, a counselor at Texas Tech University, noted borgs might aid harm reduction, allowing students to mix alcohol minimally or omit it entirely.

Nevertheless, McCoun highlighted concerns about binge drinking due to the accessibility of these potent mixtures. A study by the University of Chicago supports these concerns. Participants using borgs reported consuming 9.4 standard drinks on average, more than the 6.3 drinks on non-binge days. Many reported getting drunk or buzzed, with 28% experiencing blackouts and 59% doing something embarrassing.

Hospitalizations due to borg use have occurred, like the 2023 incident at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Lead researcher Andrea C. King notes the appeal of borgs, particularly with flavors masking alcohol intensity, exacerbates risks.

Despite these risks, most participants intend to use borgs again, citing enhanced socializing opportunities. However, the study found that borgs do not effectively support controlled alcohol intake, contamination reduction, or harm reduction based on collected data.