'Borgs' Are A New College Party Drinking Trend, But What Are They?

Know a college student who works hard and plays harder? Then you may have heard of the latest drinking trend sweeping TikTok and becoming a surefire staple at college parties everywhere.

This drink involves a gallon bottle and a "hangover-proof" formula that will ensure that college students who love to party still make it to their morning classes (per NBC News). It'll last all night long if they pace themselves, too, and it even has electrolytes to prevent those nasty morning hangover headaches. 

Borgs, which one TikTok user said "came out of necessity" during the COVID-19 pandemic, are a personalized approach to drinking — so it's no surprise that they're now everywhere. (After all, we're still in a pandemic.) But what exactly is in this magical hangover prevention drink? And is carrying a gallon bottle of alcohol from party to party actually safe, or is it a recipe for binge drinking?

The gallon-sized hangover cure that's become TikTok's latest fascination is the borg. No, that's not short for not "cyborg" — it's a "blackout rage gallon" (via NBC News). Borgs, which are basically the definition of "bring your own booze," are carried in gallon-sized containers so college students can share memories without sharing germs. Borgs typically contain half water, half vodka, a caffeinated flavor enhancer, and powdered electrolytes.

This might sound like a lot going on in one drink, but college students have their party solution down pat. The vodka is heavily diluted, the caffeine keeps students awake as they hop from party to party, and the electrolytes reduce the impact of a potential hangover. 

With multiple nights' worth of drinks in one bottle, students can pace themselves, too. Having every drink in one place can prevent a few too many trips to the bar. 

Binge-drinking has become a prevalent problem on college campuses (per SAMHSA), and carrying around a gallon of alcoholic drinks for one night may seem a bit excessive. Can borgs actually reduce binge drinking and promote safe drinking habits? 

Though borgs have only become popular in the past few years, harm reduction specialists have already weighed in on the fad. (Harm reduction is the idea that if you don't abstain from using substances, you should find ways to reduce the harm they could cause you and others.) 

Substance use prevention expert Erin Monroe told NBC News that borgs give college students "complete control" over how they drink because they allow them to pace themselves throughout the night. Although borgs shouldn't be the only harm reduction technique partiers use, Monroe described them as "really solid harm reduction." 

A hangover-proof way to enjoy a drink and stay safe, too? While it's not a solution to binge-drinking, borgs could help prevent drinking too much. And it's all thanks to some savvy college students and a years-long pandemic.

If you or anyone you know needs help with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).