The author of this article objects to the selective use of statistics in reports that 'alcohol sales are soaring' and that binge drinking is out of control. She pleads that there is no need to abuse statistics in order to draw attention to problems associated with excessive drinking. She describes the definition of binge drinking as 'another good statistic-torturing subject' and says that few people look at the numbers behind the statistics. Surveys take binge drinking to mean drinking twice the recommended maximum for a day in a single session - 6 units for a woman. She says: 'Personally, I'd define binge drinking as deliberately drinking enough to lose self-control and self-respect.'