Alcohol use: Weighing risks and benefits

The NIAAA defines binge drinking as a pattern of drinking alcohol that brings blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08 percent (or 0.08 grams of alcohol per deciliter) or higher. For a typical adult, this pattern corresponds to consuming five or more drinks (male), or four or more drinks (female), in about two hours, on at least one day in the past month. Each year, thousands of college students end up in the emergency room because of alcohol poisoning. This is when heavy alcohol use affects the central nervous system, slowing breathing and heart rate. This increases the risk of choking on vomit, if the drinker passes out from too much drinking. Blood alcohol levels can keep rising even if a person passes out.

Taper Your Alcohol Use

Understanding the effects of binge drinking can increase your motivation to cut back on how much alcohol you consume in one sitting. Only about 10 percent of people who binge drink struggle with a dependence on alcohol. However, the more frequently you binge drink, the more at risk you are of developing an alcohol abuse problem. If any of that sounds familiar, consider rethinking your relationship with alcohol. You don’t have to give up drinking entirely—there’s plenty of middle ground between binge drinking and total abstinence. Once you find that middle ground, you can continue to enjoy your favorite drinks without jeopardizing your health, safety, or sense of well-being.

How to Choose the Best Drug & Alcohol Detox Center in Pompano Beach

The bottom line is that alcohol is potentially addictive, can cause intoxication, and contributes to health problems and preventable deaths. If you already drink at low levels and continue to drink, risks for these issues appear to be low. Many people drink alcohol as a personal preference, during social activities, or as a part of cultural and religious practices. People who choose not to drink make binge drinking that choice for the same reasons. Knowing your personal risk based on your habits can help you make the best decision for you.

• So while naltrexone may be employed during treatment, it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider and/or addiction specialist to determine the best form of treatment for your unique needs.
• Whether it’s considered binge drinking will depend on how much alcohol you consume each day and over a week or month.
• Take the assessment and get matched with a therapist in as little as 48 hours.
• Honest disclosure is vital for optimal care, and even small reductions in alcohol intake can significantly improve health outcomes.
• If you or someone you love needs treatment for alcohol abuse, you are not alone.

What are the effects of binge drinking?

This strategy can also come in handy if you’re with a group of friends who want to play drinking games. Drinking in moderation is considered to be consuming two drinks or less in a day for men and one drink or less in a day for women. Binge drinking has many effects on your body, both over the short and long term. The service is free and available 24 hours a day year-round. The National Helpline does not provide counseling, but it does connect callers with local resources such as counseling services, support groups, and treatment facilities. Avoiding alcohol when you tend to binge is challenging because heavy alcohol use is accepted in today’s society.

About Medical News Today

“Because the blood level of the alcohol becomes much higher with binge drinking, you’re much more exposed to the acute toxicity of alcohol,” Dr. Streem explains. The 2015 study results showed Americans were consuming about seven drinks during each episode of binge drinking. And a more recent 2021 study showed that binge drinkers are more likely to also abuse other substances, such as the misuse of prescription drugs.

• This usually involves drinking five or more drinks for men or four or more for women on a single occasion lasting a few hours.
• A child with FASD might experience heart or bone problems, reduced attention span and memory, or learning disabilities.
• “Because the blood level of the alcohol becomes much higher with binge drinking, you’re much more exposed to the acute toxicity of alcohol,” Dr. Streem explains.
• People often use binge drinking as a way to self-medicate symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress.
• Just having a chat about drinking might be the first step to having a healthier relationship with alcohol.
• Instead of inviting your loved one out for drinks at a bar, invite them over to work on a crafting project or go out and see a movie.

People in farming communities are more likely to binge drink (consume alcohol at short-term risky levels) when compared with the general Australian population. Drinking alcohol is an accepted part of adult life in Australia. Because drinking and even binge drinking is so common, you may not realise it has many negative effects. It is essential to understand the risks of binge drinking and seek treatment if you can not stop drinking on your own. Because alcohol use is legal and common, it can be challenging to determine when your alcohol consumption has become problematic. However, it is crucial to be aware of the signs of alcohol abuse and addiction and seek treatment as soon as possible.