A local researcher who has examined the damaging effects of binge drinking on the brain says raising the cost of alcohol could help reduce consumption, but it could also create other problems.

Dr. John Weber of Memorial University’s School of Pharmacy has done research showing that episodes of binge drinking do cause brain damage.

He says their models show that binge drinking could lead to long-term brain damage, with no recovery due to cell death.

Binge drinking is considered to be five drinks in one episode for men, and four drinks in one episode for women. Drink equivalent is a standard bottle of 5 per cent beer, a 5 oz glass of 12 per cent wine, or one and a half ounces of liquor.

Weber says men in their 20s and 30s have a higher propensity towards binge drinking than women and the incidence of binge drinking generally declines with age.

The provincial government recently released an action plan on reducing the harm caused by alcohol consumption and one of the areas being looked at is the cost of alcohol.

He admits the issue is complex, as people could seek out alcohol through other means, including distilling alcohol illegally.