Binge drinking is a type of alcohol abuse in which a person drinks heavily over a short period of time—usually a few hours—for the purpose of becoming drunk, and consumes several drinks in a row more often than once every two weeks.
The accepted definitions of binge drinkers are slightly different for men and women. A man who consumes five or more drinks in about two hours, or a woman who consumes four or more drinks in about two hours is considered a binge drinker. For both genders, having three or more instances in which these numbers of drinks are consumed qualifies as heavy binge drinking.
Though 70% of episodes involve adults over the age of 25, binge drinking is a growing epidemic among teenagers and young adults as well. Factors such as curiosity, peer pressure, and certain social situations often play roles in a young person’s introduction to alcohol. Some high school and college students binge drink in an attempt to relieve stress. Young people who are genetically predisposed to conditions such as alcoholism, addiction, anxiety, and depression are at high risk of becoming a binge drinker. According to the CDC, the percentage of drinkers that binge on alcohol is highest in young adults age 18 to 20.
Frequent binging of alcohol can disrupt nearly every part of an otherwise healthy person’s life—work performance, social relationships, and physical well being are only a few aspects that are affected.. Excessive binging can also lead to sluggishness and weight gain. A typical regular beer contains more than a hundred calories and a binge drinker who consumes five or six beers a night is taking in as many as 4,200 extra calories per week. Long-term binging can result in liver disease, sexual dysfunction, injuries, and brain damage.
Alcohol binging also involves many risks to a person’s emotional and physical health. The short-term effects of just a single episode of can include:
Single-episode binge drinking also poses more serious risks. Alcohol poisoning is the most dangerous of these risks. Signs of alcohol poisoning can include:
If you think you or someone else shows signs of alcohol poisoning, call 911. If you are having a problem with binge drinking, alcohol abuse or alcoholism, call our toll- free helpline any time day or night. Call 1-800-871-3912. We can help you find the right alcohol rehab. Operators are standing by 24 hours a day to take your confidential call.
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