Every now and then, an individual may indulge in an alcoholic beverage at dinner, at a social gathering or in the comfort of their own home. When used responsibly, alcohol can be enjoyed, safely. And while many people find this to be fulfilling, many others are not satisfied with just one drink. The desire to consume several drinks, frequently, can lead to binge drinking. Binge drinking is the act of consuming several drinks in one sitting, often, or every time the individual partakes in drinking alcohol. Throughout the last several years, heavy drinking in The United States has become a common, dangerous issue.
For men, 5 or more drinks have to be consumed in order to be considered binging. For women, 4 drinks or more is considered binging.
How Common is Binge Drinking?
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, one in six U.S. adults binge drink about four times a month, consuming about eight drinks per binge. However, the amount of alcohol needed to be consumed in order to be considered binge drinking differs from men to women. For men, 5 or more drinks have to be consumed in order to be considered binging. For women, 4 drinks or more is considered binging.
Most commonly, heavy drinking is thought to be something that is only done on college campuses. However, that is not the case. In the U.S., adults ranging from the age of 18-34 years old, are statistically known to binge drink. Along with this, over 90% of U.S. adults who drink excessively report binge drinking in the past 30 days. With such a large percentage of the U.S. adult population excessive drinking, it is likely that many individuals have become exposed to the negative, dangerous effects of binge drinking.
There are many harmful consequences that are associated with the act; Binge drinking can lead to unintentional injuries such as car crashes, alcohol poisoning and falling. It can also lead to the development of severe health issues such as high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease and liver disease. Those who binge drink may also be exposed to extreme violence: homicide, suicide, domestic violence and even sexual assault. Memory and learning capabilities can also be affected.
It is often assumed that an individual who binge drinks also suffers from alcoholism. However, this is not always true. Alcohol dependence can indeed develop over time; however, this is not the case for every binge drinker. Many who binge drink may consume copious amounts of alcohol to relieve stress, overcome social anxiety or to simply have fun. It is important to recognize when occasional drinking is developing into binge drinking or alcoholism. Both binge drinking and alcoholism are dangerous and can cause harm to any individual and those around them. The effects of either can be detrimental to a person’s daily life.
Treatment and Recovery
While binge drinking exists in fraternity houses, it is also heavily seen throughout the nation. People from all walks of life — regardless of gender, race and age — experience binge drinking and its negative effects. It is important to be aware of what binge drinking looks like, how to recognize when an individual is a binge drinker and how to prevent it from escalating towards negative, harmful consequences.
If you’re ready to overcome your binge drinking and alcoholism problem today, then call Morningside Recovery at 855-631-2135. Our treatment specialists are ready to work with you through our comprehensive addiction treatment services and addiction therapy programs.