When a person thinks about binge drinking, college life may come to mind. However, binge drinking can affect anyone, regardless of age or gender. It’s not just a college problem. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies that 17% of adults in the USA binge drink. Binge drinking is a behavior that can put a person at significant risk for harm or even death.
Great strides have been taken to educate the public about the dangers of binge drinking. Mental health and addiction treatment facilities, such as Driftwood Recovery, have created extensive treatment programs to help those struggling to control their drinking. Despite these efforts, binge drinking as a whole can be challenging to recognize. This is especially true for those who grew up around those with alcohol addiction or disordered drinking habits. Learning how to recognize binge drinking protects not just yourself, but also helps you protect your loved ones from harm.
What Exactly Is Binge Drinking?
Binge drinking is defined by The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) as a pattern of drinking that brings your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08%–or 0.08 grams of alcohol per deciliter–or higher. A serving of an alcoholic beverage, known as a “standard” drink, typically contains about 0.6 fluid ounces (14 grams) of pure alcohol. This means that to binge drink, a typical adult will consume five or more drinks (for a male) or four or more drinks (for a female) within two hours.
Of course, the amount of drinks needed to reach this BAC varies depending on age and weight. A shorter woman will typically need fewer drinks to reach a 0.08% BAC compared to one who is taller. An adolescent boy will require fewer drinks compared to an adult man. The general definition focuses on consuming an intoxicating amount of drinks in a short amount of time. This is not to be confused with high-intensity drinking, in which a person consumes double this amount of drinks in a short amount of time.
The Risks Associated With Rapid Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol is a dangerous substance. There is no part of the body that is not impacted by alcohol consumption. Most people know that overconsumption can result in impaired decision making, motor skill decline, and relaxed inhibitions. Many forget, though, that alcohol is a toxin and too much can cause alcohol poisoning, which is deadly without quick treatment. It’s why binge drinking is particularly dangerous for adolescents, as their smaller bodies can’t process alcohol as well as a fully grown adult. Even so, an adult can get alcohol poisoning if they are not careful. The typical symptoms of alcohol poisoning are:
- Vomiting
- Confusion
- Irregular or slow breathing
- Seizures
- Trouble staying awake or conscious
- Pale, blue, or gray skin
- Low body temperature
Impaired reasoning is often cited as one of the biggest risks associated with binge drinking. A person with a 0.08% BAC in some states is considered too impaired to drive. The risk of drowning and other accidents increases after binge drinking. An inebriated person may be at risk of being a victim of assault or other crimes. Binge drinking is typically more dangerous for those who have never drunk alcohol before, and thus don’t know how their bodies will respond to it.
Is Binge Drinking the Same as Alcohol Addiction?
Although binge drinking can be a part of alcohol addiction, it doesn’t always indicate an addiction. The main difference is that binge drinking can occur in a single session. You may binge drink one night, wake up with a bad hangover, and then decide to never binge drink again. Peer pressure and the desire to fit in or “let loose” are typical factors behind binge drinking.
Addiction, or alcohol use disorder (AUD), is a progressive condition. A person with either condition finds themselves unable to control their drinking habits. Instead of bringing drinks, in a short amount of time, an individual may instead drink consistently throughout the day, even during times when drinking is not appropriate.
Binge drinking, though, is still quite dangerous and can lead to addiction or AUD if left unchecked. Once binge drinking becomes a regular habit, it can be difficult to stop without professional help.
Seeking Treatment at Driftwood Recovery
Binge drinking is a dangerous habit, even if it’s not the result of an addiction. However, disordered drinking requires just as much professional assistance as addiction. Seeking professional treatment can prevent disordered drinking from developing into an addiction or allow you to recover from an already established addiction. To assist those struggling, Driftwood Recovery offers a robust, compassionate, and comprehensive mental health and addiction treatment program.
This program includes targeted treatments, such as peer pressure recognition and resistance training. Undergoing such training helps you resist being pressured to binge drink and set firm, healthy boundaries. Psychotherapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help you recognize why you are engaging in risky behavior. If an underlying mental health disorder is discovered, such as depression, you can get treatment quickly to address your unique and individual mental health needs.
People often binge drink to cope with upsetting feelings or to reduce stress. Learning healthier ways to cope with these issues is another important aspect of treatment at Driftwood Recovery. Driftwood Recovery’s holistic treatment philosophy helps you find means of relaxation and stress reduction that don’t involve the consumption of addictive substances.
All bad habits can be broken with a little help, allowing you to pursue your interests in life without being held back by disordered drinking habits.
Binge drinking is a serious issue that can affect all types of people. Although considered a college or young adult problem, anyone at any age can struggle with a binge drinking habit. Education and professional assistance are the key to preventing permanent damage or even loss of life. At Driftwood Recovery in Driftwood and Austin, Texas, our alcohol addiction treatment program assists those struggling with binge drinking. By addressing both the addiction and the underlying cause, our clients regain their freedom from addiction and find the healing they need for recovery. If you or a loved one is struggling with binge drinking, don’t delay in getting help. Call Driftwood Recovery today at (512) 759-8330.