Extreme binge drinking not uncommon in high school

CHICAGO (AP) -- A new report finds almost 1 in 10 U.S. high school seniors have engaged in recent extreme binge drinking. That means downing at least 10 drinks in a row, and the rate barely budged over six years.

Binge drinking at least five in a row has mostly declined in recent years among teens. But the researchers say the trend for more extreme drinking is worrisome.

The most extreme level is 15 or more drinks in a row. That rate was almost 6 percent and it didn't change from 2005 to 2011.

The report is an analysis of survey results that the University of Michigan does for the National Institute on Drug Abuse. It's based on classroom questionnaires given to more than 16,000 high school seniors.

The report was published online Monday in JAMA Pediatrics.

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