The basic message of this book is that binge use of drugs is related to long term abuse of drugs and addiction. He defines addiction using a modern definition as "is characterized by inability to consistently abstain, impairment in behavioral control, and craving, diminished recognition of significant problems with one’s behaviors and interpersonal relationships, and a dysfunctional emotional response." This is the definition from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM-V as it is often called. Binge use is repeated use of a drug in a short time period i.e. 5 drinks for men and 4 for women in two hours or several hits of coke.
[1]Teitelbaum, Scott A. (2011-10-31). Addiction: A Family Affair (Kindle Locations 312-314). The University of Florida Department of Psychiatry. Kindle Edition.