Binge drinking is a common and widespread problem in the United States and across the world. It’s a form of drinking that increases your Blood Alcohol Level above the legal limit. However, many of us might not know that we have probably engaged ourselves in binge drinking at some point in our lives. Below, we’ll clarify what exactly binge drinking is.

What Is Binge Drinking?

Binge drinking is defined as a dangerous pattern of excessive liquor consumption. Typically, your blood alcohol level will rise to 0.08 percent or above after binge drinking. For men, binge drinking is defined as having five or more drinks within two hours. For women, binge drinking is identified as having four or more drinks within a two-hour timeframe. Binge drinking is not similar to alcohol dependency or alcoholism, but it does create problems and has many risks involved.

Reasons For Binge Drinking

Despite the research studies about the dangers of excessive drinking, the number of people who binge drink is increasing each year. Not only can binge drinking harm you, but it can also affect your friends and family members. However, there are several reasons for binge drinking. Below are a few of them:

1. Peer pressure

Peer pressure can lead to binge drinking among young adults. The need to appear sophisticated, keep fit, and more mature lead some young people to binge drink.

2. Forgetting problems

Another common reason why people binge drink is to forget about underlying problems. A person may start feeling good after consuming the first bottle and continue drinking more to maintain the effect.

3. Having fun

Many social gatherings involve alcohol. The temptation of a night party influences many people to drink. However, It can quickly become a slippery slope for possible alcohol dependency.

4. Testing tolerance

Alcohol consumption turns into a competition for drinking games. Peers try to surpass one another and often consume dangerous volumes of alcohol.

Risks of Binge Drinking

Binge drinking presents a severe risk rather than a wild behavior that does not have any real consequences. The many risks to binge drinking include:

• Alcohol dependence

• Fetal alcohol syndrome

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome

• Impulsive and Violent behavior

• Brain chemistry alteration

• Memory and learning problems

• Higher risk of breast cancer in women

• Higher risk of being a victim of crimes

• Impaired judgment and decision-making skills

• Unintentional injuries such as burns, falls, car crashes, and even alcohol poisoning

• Violence in the forms of suicide, homicide, sexual assault, intimate and partner violence.

• Chronic health diseases such as heart disease, hypertension, and liver disease

Treatments for Binge Drinking

Recognizing the risks associated with binge drinking is the first step toward recovery. Seeking an alcohol treatment program will show you how to quit drinking as well as prevent further problems. If you or a loved one is seriously struggling with binge drinking, don’t wait to seek professional support. Treatment within medical detox programs may be required to provide the support necessary to help stop drinking. Reach out to Cynergi Health Partners today for more information about the programs.