Most adults in the U.S. will consume alcohol at some point throughout their lives. According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 54.9% of surveyed adults reported having at least one drink within the past month. While most people can safely consume alcohol and never experience any negative consequences, others will struggle to control their drinking amount.
While the majority of individuals can enjoy alcohol responsibly without adverse effects, there’s a segment of the population that faces challenges in controlling their alcohol consumption.
Approximately 6% of adults in the United States contend with alcohol use disorder, but another significant portion engages in risky binge drinking episodes. (1) Discover the dynamics of binge drinking and the red flags that suggest it might be time to seek professional help at a rehabilitation facility to address issues related to alcohol abuse.
What is Binge Drinking?
Binge drinking is the act of excessive consumption of alcohol. Not every person who engages in binge drinking behaviors has an alcohol use disorder, though. (2)
They often experience negative consequences of excessive drinking but do not necessarily have a dependence on alcohol or experience cravings for alcohol. However, people who are addicted to alcohol sometimes engage in binge drinking behaviors.
Binge drinking is defined as a pattern of drinking that raises a person’s blood alcohol level (BAC) level to .08% or above quickly. Typically, this means five drinks in two hours for men and four drinks per two hours for women. From there, the blood alcohol concentration will rise to unsafe amounts. (3)
Binge drinking starkly contrasts casual drinking, and understanding the differences is crucial to promoting responsible alcohol consumption.
Casual Drinking
- Moderation: Casually drinking alcohol typically involves moderate and controlled consumption of alcoholic beverages, where individuals have one or two drinks and do not exceed recommended limits. (4)
- Social Enjoyment: It often serves as a social activity in a short period of time where people gather to enjoy the drink’s taste or relax without excessive alcohol intake.
- Responsible Choices: Casual drinkers are mindful of their alcohol intake and prioritize responsible choices, considering their own tolerance and individual factors.
The Prevalence
- Binge drinking and heavy drinking is a prevalent concern, with statistics revealing that it affects a significant portion of the population.
- According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), in the United States, one in six adults engages in binge drinking about four times a month, with the highest prevalence among young adults aged 18 to 34.
- These statistics underscore the importance of raising awareness about responsible drinking practices and the potential dangers of excessive alcohol consumption.
Causes and Risk Factors of Binge Drinking
Binge drinking, characterized by heavy alcohol consumption in a short span, is a concerning issue with several distinct patterns and risk factors.
- Adolescents at Risk: Young men are particularly vulnerable to binge drinking. Unfortunately, recurring drinking episodes of alcohol during youth significantly elevate the risk of developing alcohol addiction later in life. (5)
- Age Group Prevalence: Those aged 18 to 34 have the highest likelihood of binge drinking, with one in six U.S. adults participating in such behavior at least four times a month.
- Excessive Consumption: On average, binge drinkers consume seven alcoholic drinks per session, contributing to the alarming statistics surrounding binge drinking.
- Gender Differences: Men are more likely to binge drink than women, further emphasizing the importance of understanding gender-related factors in alcohol misuse. (6)
- Income and Education: Binge drinking is more prevalent in households with annual incomes of $75,000 or more and among those with higher educational levels. However, individuals with lower education levels tend to consume more binge drinks per session.
- Widespread Issue: A concerning trend is the widespread nature of binge drinking, with 90% of U.S. adults who exceed moderate alcohol consumption levels reporting binge drinking within the past 30 days. (7)
- Underage Binge Drinking: Alarmingly, individuals younger than 21 also engage in binge drinking, with some consuming more alcohol during a binge session than those above the legal drinking age. These statistics underscore the need for proactive treatment center measures to address underage binge drinking, alcohol treatment, and its consequences.
Short-term and Long-term Effects of Binge Drinking
Binge drinking can cause many serious problems, including increased incidents of accidents, traumatic injuries, and alcohol poisoning. (8) Other significant effects of alcohol and risks associated with binge drinking include:
- Domestic violence, sexual assault, and suicide
- Risks of STIs
- Poor pregnancy outcomes, such as miscarriages and stillbirths
- Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
- SIDs
- Increased risk of developing chronic health problems
- Cancer
- High blood pressure or heart disease
- Problems with memory and cognition
- Risk of alcohol dependence
Physical Health Effects
- Short-term: Binge drinking can result in immediate physical harm and impairment, such as alcohol poisoning, injuries from accidents, and alcohol-related blackouts. The risks of engaging in risky behaviors while intoxicated, like unprotected sex, also increase. (8)
- Long-term: Prolonged binge drinking a large amount of alcohol can lead to chronic health problems, including liver disease, cardiovascular issues, and an increased risk of certain cancers. It can also contribute to obesity and weaken the immune system. (8)
Psychological Effects
- Short-term: Binge drinking often leads to impaired judgment, emotional instability, and mood swings. These can result in risky behaviors, conflicts, and strained interpersonal relationships. (8)
- Long-term: Chronic binge drinking is associated with an elevated risk of developing mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety. It can also exacerbate pre-existing mental health conditions and make recovery more challenging. (8)
Societal Impact
- Short-term: Binge drinking can lead to alcohol-related accidents, violence, and property damage, impacting not only the individual but also their community.
- Long-term: The societal consequences of binge drinking are substantial, including increased healthcare costs, strained emergency services, and productivity losses in the workplace.
What Are the Symptoms of Binge Drinking?
Binge drinkers do not always have an AUD, but engaging in binge drinking can lead to alcohol dependence. Binge drinking usually occurs on weekends and holidays, where binge drinkers will rationalize their excessive alcohol consumption.
Binge and heavy drinkers don’t drink daily but during certain occasions. They will often ignore family and friend’s concerns.
People who binge drink often drink more than they intend. This also indicates a potential alcohol use disorder forming in an at-risk person.
Engaging in risky behaviors, such as drunk driving or unsafe sex, is common with binge drinkers. Failing to uphold certain duties and forgetfulness due to excessive alcohol consumption is another symptom. (9)
When is it Time for Treatment?
Untreated, binge drinking can turn into alcohol dependence. In addition, binge drinking causes a person to become severely impaired. They can put themselves and others at risk of bodily harm.
Drinking costs the U.S. economy $249 billion annually because of increased costs associated with:
- The criminal justice system
- Losses in workplace productivity
- Increased healthcare costs
Binge drinking accounts for 77% of the $249 billion in annual losses. Binge drinking behaviors strain families and communities. (10)
Excessive drinking can also harm babies and children. People who struggle with excessive binge drinking behaviors must get addiction treatment for these problems before they spiral entirely out of control.
Treatment Options for Binge Drinking
Meeting with a health care provider or trained therapist for alcohol use disorder is often recommended as the first step toward treatment. But as a disclaimer, this might be the first step for everyone.
A therapist can help someone identify the root causes of their binge drinking behavior, see all its consequences holistically, and form effective, custom treatment options.
People seeking treatment for binge drinking need support from family and loved ones, especially young people. Group therapy and family therapy can also help learn the individual’s triggers and how to cope with them so that the patient can avoid binge drinking.
For many people with an alcohol use disorder, detox, and inpatient treatment are recommended. Being separated from alcohol, toxic environments, and everyday stressors can be the ideal place for someone to get well.
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient treatment, often known as residential rehab, is a comprehensive approach for individuals struggling with severe binge drinking or alcohol use disorder. It involves residing in a treatment facility, receiving structured therapy, and constant support from medical professionals.
This approach benefits those needing a secure, controlled environment to overcome their binge drinking patterns. (11)
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient treatment allows individuals to receive therapy and support while continuing to live at home. This approach is suitable for those with less severe binge drinking habits.
Outpatient programs typically include individual and group therapy sessions, counseling, and educational resources.
Medication-Assisted Treatment
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is primarily employed for individuals struggling with alcohol use disorder. (12) Medications like naltrexone, disulfiram, and acamprosate may be prescribed to reduce cravings and prevent relapse.
MAT is often used in conjunction with counseling and therapy.
Counseling and Therapy
Various forms of counseling and therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing, effectively address binge drinking. (13) These behavioral health therapies help individuals identify the underlying causes of their substance abuse, develop coping strategies, and modify their relationship with alcohol.
Support Groups
Support groups, like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or SMART Recovery, offer a valuable network of individuals facing similar challenges. These groups provide peer support, share experiences, and foster a sense of belonging, which can be pivotal in maintaining recovery.
Worried About a Binge Drinking Problem? Get in Touch Today!
Treatment for binge drinking is specific to each patient. Learning to be vigilant and avoid triggers leading to binge drinking is a lifelong habit.
It’s possible to treat binge drinking behaviors and prevent the development of AUD with help from trained therapists and family support.
If your binge drinking has progressed to alcohol addiction, call Zinnia Health’s alcohol abuse hotline at (855) 430-9439 to learn more about treatment and recovery.
Citations
- https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/overview-alcohol-consumption/moderate-binge-drinking
- https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/binge-drinking.htm
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3156624/
- https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-drinks/drinks-to-consume-in-moderation/alcohol-full-story/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6104966/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6104960/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6104967/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6104963/
- https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/binge-drinking
- https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/features/excessive-drinking.html
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4031575/
- https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/substance-use-disorder/medication-for-alcoholism
- https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/talking-therapies-medicine-treatments/talking-therapies-and-counselling/cognitive-behavioural-therapy-cbt/overview/
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