Overindulging in alcohol is the culprit behind thousands of deaths a year in America. The risks of binge drinking cannot be overstated. If you or a loved one want to know more about the risks of binge drinking, contact Vertava Health’s alcohol rehab center at 844.470.0410 today. Our staff of addiction specialists can help you understand the dangers associated with drinking too much.
Binge Drinking Defined
Binge drinking is consuming large amounts of alcohol in a single session. Most people that participate in binge drinking do so with the intent of getting drunk. It is considered binge drinking when men consume five or more drinks in two hours or less. As for women, it is when they consume four or more drinks in the same period. Consuming this volume of alcohol will cause a person’s blood alcohol concentration levels to rise above the legal limit of 0.08.
Binge Drinking In Teens And Young Adults
As children move from adolescence to young adulthood, they begin to desire more independence from their parents and crave new freedoms. As a result, they start to experiment with alcohol and binge drinking. Since so many young adults are participating in binge drinking, they often don’t see a problem with it. It’s socially acceptable for teens to binge drink while out with friends, and since they’re not doing it every night, they don’t see the harm in it. Unfortunately, young adults that engage in binge drinking are more likely to experience the following:
Trouble at school
- Legal problems
- Higher risk of suicide
- Changes in brain development
- Memory problems
- Alcohol poisoning
Perhaps most frightening is the tendency to develop alcohol dependence later in life. As young adults begin to participate in binge drinking with their friends, this pattern of behavior can be complicated to break.
The Link Between Binge Drinking And Alcoholism
While binge drinking is prevalent among teens and young adults, this behavior isn’t limited to one age group. Anyone, at any age, can develop a binge-drinking habit. Binge drinking is not considered a form of alcoholism because most people who participate in this behavior are not alcohol dependent. Instead, those who binge drink usually fall between being a problem drinker and an alcoholic. Those that experience any number of the symptoms listed below are considered to have an alcohol addiction:
- Inability to limit drinking
- Continuing to drink despite personal or professional problems
- Increased alcohol tolerance
- Inability to think of anything else besides drinking
- Suffering from withdrawal symptoms
- Unsuccessfully quitting drinking
The longer binge drinking continues, the greater the likelihood of developing alcohol addiction. Due to this, it’s essential to recognize the symptoms of binge drinking as early as possible.
The Risks of Binge Drinking
While the severity of symptoms is going to look different for everyone, the most common risks of binge drinking are:
- Injuries
- Alcohol poisoning
- Unintended pregnancies
- Violence and sexual assault
- Long-term health problems such as liver disease, heart disease, and cancer
- Depression and anxiety
- Memory loss
- Severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms
The risks of binge drinking can be both short-term and long-term. For instance, alcohol poisoning can take place after just one night of drinking too much. On the other hand, long-term consequences like developing cancer can take years to manifest. Unfortunately, the long-term effects of binge drinking are often overlooked in favor of the immediate gratification it provides.
Discover Vertava Health’s Binge Drinking Treatment
Individuals who binge drink should seek the help of an addiction and mental health professional. If you or a loved one have questions about binge drinking, contact Vertava Health at 844.470.0410 today. We can help you find the proper treatment for you or your loved one’s alcohol addiction. Our team of qualified professionals is ready to answer any questions you may have and help you begin your journey to recovery.
