The Rise of BORGs: A Dangerous Gen Z Party Trend

If you’ve been to a party lately and haven’t seen someone drinking a BORG, you’re likely not partying with college students.

The acronym BORG, or ‘blackout rage gallon,’ has caught on among Gen Z party-goers. A risky concoction typically prepared in gallon-size jugs, BORGs contain high amounts of alcohol, water, flavor enhancers, and electrolytes, making them potentially life-threatening.

Dr. Anna Lembke from Stanford University warns about the dangers of BORGs, citing the large batch drinks as a new version of jungle juice, only more potent due to its individualized and excessive alcohol content.

Sabrina Grimaldi, of The Zillennial Zine, notes the social contagion of BORGs, with its popularity spreading among young adults influenced by others making and consuming these dangerous concoctions.

Reports of BORG-related incidents, like the one at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, have raised concerns about the normalization of excessive drinking, especially among college students and even at high school events.

Virginia, a high school senior in Tampa, Florida, shared her experience with BORGs, highlighting the social appeal and the lack of moderation typically associated with these drinks.

Health experts caution against excessive alcohol consumption, citing that one BORG can contain the equivalent of about 17 standard drinks, far exceeding safe limits for adults.

Recent studies have shown that any amount of alcohol may pose health risks, urging moderation or total abstinence to maintain well-being.

With BORGs becoming a popular yet perilous trend, concerns mount over the normalization and potential harm associated with this Gen Z party culture.