What is BORG Drinking? Here’s What Parents Need to Know

There’s a new fad that Gen Z is drinking up. It’s called BORG, and it’s the new binge-drinking trend. How widespread is this trend? Videos tagged with "#BORG" on TikTok have over 76 million views as I write this. 

If you’re a parent of a teen or college student, like myself, staying abreast of these trends is important to help your kid make smart choices. While binge drinking of any kind is dangerous, there are a few benefits to this trend that make it a little safer than what we may have been doing at their age. Here’s what you need to know and how to talk to your kid about BORG.

BORG stands for "blackout rage gallon." It's a homemade cocktail mixed in a gallon jug. Teens and college students are chugging BORGs instead of regular mixed drinks or the beer bongs of old because they say it lets them drink a lot without a hangover the next day.

The BORG is drunk straight from the jug. So, unlike the shady jungle juice and trash can cocktails of their parent’s day, these kids know exactly what went into their drink. Plus, the jug's lid and the fact that these kids carry their jug around with them help prevent someone from slipping a date rape drug into their drink.

Also, the alcohol is diluted with water and flavoring, so the teen may be getting less alcohol than they would from other drinking methods. Though, it's important to note that a typical BORG can have enough alcohol for around 16 regular drinks (a full fifth of alcohol). That's still way too much alcohol if your kiddo drinks the whole jug.

BORG starts with a gallon jug of water. Next, the teen will empty out some water and refill the jug with alcohol, flavoring like a powdered drink mix, and an electrolyte—like powdered Gatorade mix or hydration drops. Some BORG recipes also call for caffeine.

While BORG can be safer than other types of teen drinking, you should still have a talk with your child. “Parents should stick to the facts,”  Peter Piraino, LMSW, LCDC at Renewal Lodge at Burning Tree, a mental health and substance abuse treatment center. “Do not try to scare your kids. Just let them know the real dangers behind binge drinking and blacking out. You may also want to touch on some of the pressures of social media trends.”

Catch your kid drinking BORG? According to Piraino, you may want to start with a hand-on-the-shoulder approach. Let them know you understand the pressures of their peer group. Also, explain the real dangers of binge drinking and blacking out on college-age people. 

If they don't seem to hear you or continue to binge drink, you may have to move to the carrot-and-stick approach, said Piraino. Offer them a carrot (when you get good grades, I’ll financially support your college experience). Follow with the stick (if you continue binge drinking, I will no longer give you spending money or pay next semester's tuition). Only use a stick you are willing to follow through with. 

Want to be able to track what your kid or teen watches online and monitor who they talk to? There's a parental control app for that!

BORG, like any type of binge drinking can lead to health problems and possibly time in jail. “Binge drinking to blackout can lead to brain damage, depression, anxiety and, in some cases, death,” said Piraino. “Blackout drinkers are also at a higher risk of causing harm to themselves or other people and facing serious health and legal consciousness.”

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