You have been practicing the proposal for months, working with your team to pitch your services to a new, highly-respected client. If you land this deal, your company will soar in stock ratings and you will be managing the account personally. It took years, but you finally are getting the recognition you deserve.
After the presentation, you close the deal and officially have the new client on your books. Your coworkers decide to take you out for drinks to celebrate, so you all head over to the bar around the corner. It is crazy inside – the University of South Florida came out on top over the University of Central Florida, the biggest rivalry in the area. College students are partying hard, and you sit back and laugh reminiscing about your own college days. You see one group taking things too far, ordering shot after shot in a matter of minutes. Sure enough, one of them begins to sway and falls to the ground. You have seen your fair share of binge drinking accidents and rush over to help.
In 2019, 24% of Pinellas County adults reported engaging in binge or excessive drinking. Tranquil Shores has been providing quality addiction treatment in the Tampa area for years. We keep our client-to-therapist ratio at 3:1 to ensure each of our clients receives individual attention to address their alcohol use disorder. Our blog is a free resource for families and friends wanting to learn more about alcohol and substance use disorders. Today, let’s look at binge drinking, and the health risks associated with it.
Binge Drinking: What Is It?
Binge drinking refers to consuming alcohol at a rapid rate in one sitting. While most binge drinking occurs in bar or club settings, it can be done at home or a friend’s as well. Teens, young adults, older adults, men, and women are all capable of binge drinking, regardless of ethnicity and financial status.
Binge Drinking Defined
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), binge drinking is defined as 5 or more drinks in one sitting for males and 4 or more drinks in one sitting for females. This amount of drinks correlates with blood alcohol content (BAC), as the legal limit is .08. When the above amount of drinks is consumed in around 2 hours, BAC will already rise above .08, depending on the person. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), adolescents and teens can reach above .08 BAC with 3 drinks for girls and between 3 and 5 drinks for boys. Certain factors such as body fat percentage, frequency of alcohol consumption, age, and gender.
The Common Occurrence of Binge Drinking
1 in 6 adults in the United States binge drinks, and 25% partake weekly. In 2022, it was reported that around 61 million US residents aged 12 and older participated in binge drinking within the previous 30 days. The most common ages seen with binge drinking are those between 18-34, and it is more common for men to binge drink than women. In other words, binge drinking is relatively common throughout the country, especially in recent years.
Signs Someone Is Binge Drinking
Binge drinking is easy to spot as the person will consume large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time. But what does this cause? The person will show signs of intoxication sooner than someone who is drinking moderately. Intoxication signs include:
- Slurring their words
- Stumbling, falling, and having trouble keeping their balance
- Nausea and vomiting
- Experiencing blackouts and trouble remembering things
Health Effects of Binge Drinking: Are There Negative Consequences?
Binge drinking can cause negative consequences on both physical and mental health. When alcohol is consumed in excess, the body cannot keep up with processing it. The liver can only process one drink per hour on average, and binge drinking causes alcohol to build up within the body. Alcohol is considered a toxin, and when too much is in the system, the body will try to get rid of it. This is why vomiting occurs, your body is trying to expel the excess toxin which in this case is alcohol.
Alcohol directly affects the areas of the brain that control memory and motor function. The hippocampus controls memory, and alcohol prevents new memories from getting stored in long-term memory. This is referred to as a blackout, and even though the person is conscious, they will have very little to no memory of the events that happened while binge drinking. Negative consequences from blackouts can include engaging in risky behaviors like trying to drive or having unprotected sex. Trying to remember the events from the night before can also cause stress and anxiety.
Binge drinking increases the risk of alcohol poisoning. When too much alcohol overwhelms the body, vital systems begin to shut down. Breathing, body temperature, and heart rate can all vary and lead to coma. Alcohol poisoning is considered a medical emergency and needs to be addressed as soon as possible. If you see someone experiencing alcohol poisoning, get them to a quiet place away from crowds. Try to keep them awake and upright to prevent choking, but if they lose consciousness, lay them on their side. Wait until help arrives and let the paramedics know any information about the person you know.
Does Binge Drinking Signal an Alcohol Use Disorder?
Binge drinking does not always signal an alcohol use disorder, but it can lead to developing one. Binge drinking promotes increased alcohol consumption, and the more instances occur, the body will develop a tolerance to the amount of alcohol. As tolerance builds, the person will need more alcohol to feel the same effects. This leads to increased use which in turn, leads to developing withdrawal symptoms between drinking sessions. Alcohol withdrawal can be uncomfortable and possibly life-threatening, and many will continue drinking to avoid these symptoms. Increased tolerance, frequent binge drinking sessions, and experiencing withdrawal are signs that an alcohol use disorder is developing.
Preventing Binge Drinking
The best way to prevent binge drinking is to refrain from consuming any alcohol. However, if you find yourself drinking, always space out how much alcohol you drink at a time. Stay hydrated by having a glass of water between drinks. Eating before going out for drinks helps prevent an abundance of alcohol from being absorbed all at once. If you do end up binge drinking, give your body time to recover and heal. Avoid binge drinking again and alcohol in general until you have had time to sleep, eat nutritious meals, and hydrate your body.
Getting Help for Binge Drinking and Alcohol Use Disorder Near Tampa, FL
While binge drinking on occasion does not necessarily mean you have an alcohol use disorder, finding yourself frequently partaking in heavy drinking can be a sign. Alcohol can quickly take hold of your body and mind, leaving you wondering where you would even begin to stop. Thankfully, finding an alcohol rehab is the best place to start. Therapy will give you insight into where and why your alcohol use disorder began while skill-building classes will teach you how to cope with stress in healthy ways. You will have the privilege of rediscovering yourself and your passions as you forge your new life alcohol-free. There is no better day to begin your recovery than today.
If you or someone you love is living with an alcohol use disorder, don’t hesitate to reach out. Tranquil Shores has a full-spectrum alcohol use disorder treatment program that offers many different forms of therapy and activities. We also understand that treatment is not one size fits all, and we offer gender-specific programming. Call us today at 727-391-7001 for the peaceful and private treatment you deserve.
FAQs About Binge Drinking
How does binge drinking affect a person’s personality?
Binge drinking can cause a decrease in the person’s perception and inhibitions. This can lead to being overly aggressive in a situation that does not warrant it, being willing to engage in behaviors you would not normally do, and taking on more extrovert qualities.
