How To Stop Binge Drinking

binge drinking is intentionally drinking enough alcohol to bring a person’s BAC to 0.08% or higher. BAC stands for blood alcohol concentration, or simply the level of alcohol in a person’s system.

The amount of alcohol needed to get to this point is different for men as compared to women. For men, binge drinking entails drinking five or more drinks within two hours. For women, it’s four or more drinks within two hours.

A standard drink refers to a beverage containing about 14 grams of pure alcohol. This is the amount of pure alcohol found in:

• 12 ounces of beer (5% alcohol content)

• 5 ounces of wine (12% alcohol content)

• 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits (40% alcohol content)

Each standard drink contains the same amount of pure alcohol, regardless of beverage type.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) defines the term “one standard drink” as:

• Twelve ounces of beer (ex: a bottle of beer)

• Five ounces of wine (think a wine glass filled to about 40%)

• One and a half ounces of hard liquor (as commonly found in a typical mixed drink)

Binge drinking facts and alcohol’s impact on American lives include:

• From 2011 to 2015 there were 95,000 alcohol-related deaths. Of that number, nearly half were due to binge drinking.

• According to the National Institutes of Health, nearly 26% of Americans binge drink in a given month. Binge drinkers are individuals who consume large quantities of alcoholic beverages in a short period.

• Binge drinking and other forms of heavy drinking cost the United States nearly $250 billion a year. This includes emergency room visits and other healthcare costs, law enforcement, and lost productivity.

• Alcoholic beverages contain harmful chemicals that can damage tissues, interfere with nutrient absorption, and contribute to serious health risks such as cancer.

Short-term and long-term health consequences of binge drinking include:

• Liver damage

• High blood pressure

• Brain damage

• Alcohol poisoning

• Increased risk of cancer and other diseases

• Weight gain due to the high calorie content of many alcoholic beverages

Binge drinking leads to an increased risk of negative physical health outcomes, making it important to recognize the dangers and seek help if needed.

Binge drinking is not the same as alcoholism but it is a form of alcohol abuse. It can also be a sign of alcoholism if part of a wider pattern of heavy drinking. For that reason, it can be a sign of alcoholism, but not necessarily. It depends on the underlying reason for the binge drinking.

All people binge drink because, quite simply, they want to get drunk. But the reasons for that are varied. Some are young people drinking with friends recreationally, who may be susceptible to peer pressure. Certain personality traits, such as impulsiveness or a desire for novelty, can also increase the likelihood of binge drinking.

Others are people struggling with mood disorders who may be self-medicating. According to the NIAA, 20 to 60 percent of cases of drug or alcohol dependence involve mood disorders. Some individuals use alcohol to cope with social anxiety, relying on drinking in social situations to lower inhibitions and temporarily ease discomfort.

Those suffering from bipolar disorder or depression may binge drink to cope with their symptoms. Unlike young people in college, these individuals generally binge drink alone. Drinking alone is an indicator someone may have a drinking problem.

Repeated binge drinking increases the risk of developing alcohol dependency, as frequent episodes can lead to both psychological and physiological addiction.

If you or someone you know is struggling with a drinking problem, professional treatment can help. Mental health treatment is often key in alcohol recovery. Therapies like anxiety treatment and depression treatment can help someone overcome alcoholism. Binge drinking can also negatively impact your social life, straining relationships and making it harder to maintain a healthy balance.

Signs and Symptoms of an Alcohol Use Disorder

Binge drinking alone could be a sign a person has an alcohol use disorder (AUD).

Signs of AUD and symptoms of alcohol abuse may include:

• Inability to control the amount of alcohol one consumes
• Neglecting work, social, or familial obligations to binge drink
• Cravings for alcohol
• High tolerance for alcohol
• Withdrawal symptoms, including sweating, shaking (delirium tremens), and nausea

Recognizing these signs and symptoms early on is crucial for recovering from alcohol use disorder.