Alcohol use among young people in the United Kingdom is of increasing concern, with greater numbers of young people drinking on a regular basis and in greater quantities. Of particular concern is binge drinking among young people, which involves the consumption of a large quantity of alcohol in a single drinking session. The purpose of the current study was to explore young people’s motivations for binge drinking and the outcomes associated with this drinking behavior. Participants were 64 young people in southern England aged 14 to 17 years who experienced binge drinking and agreed to engage in in-depth, semi-structured interviews probing specific events and the motivations and outcomes associated with them. Key motivations were related to social facilitation and comfort in social situations, individual benefits, and social norms and influences. The main outcomes included consequences for health and personal safety. Taking into account these motivations and perceived outcomes, the authors suggest the most effective prevention and intervention strategies for binge drinking would involve a harm-reduction approach. Future research should focus on the role of family in shaping adolescent drinking behaviors. Notes, references