Heavy and problematic drinking behaviors take many different forms, but in the United States, the most costly and deadly form is binge drinking. Experts say that the prevalence of binge drinking in social situations is considered a public health crisis. Binge drinking is one form of excessive drinking which, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), also includes heavy drinking and any drinking by pregnant women or people younger than age 21. Alcohol use disorder (AUD), commonly referred to as alcoholism, is difficult to diagnose, and seeking help can be very intimidating.

Many people who do not live with AUD will binge drink, and similarly, many who do live with AUD do not necessarily binge drink. Addiction recovery can feel impossible, but there are accredited alcohol treatment programs in Atlanta, GA that can help. Take the first steps by entering into alcohol detox in Georgia, and follow through with outpatient treatment options.

What is binge drinking?

Any drinking pattern that results in a person’s blood alcohol content (BAC) level reaching .08 percent — the legal limit for operating a vehicle — or higher is considered binge drinking. On average, the body can only process one alcoholic beverage per hour. A BAC of at least .08 percent is usually reached for men after consuming five or more drinks over the course of two hours and consuming four or more drinks in the same time period for women. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the male binge drinking population is twice the size of the female binge drinking population. In comparison, moderate drinking is considered two or fewer drinks per day for men, and one or fewer drinks per day for women. Heavy drinking is defined as four or five drinks over the course of 24 hours for women and men respectively.

Now for the Good News

The good news is that there is a safe way to recover, and avoid relapses moving forward. An alcohol detox program backed by medical treatment, in a safe environment, supported by a caring community can help you get your life back on track. And with aftercare programs designed to mend relationships, rebuild finances, and feel whole again, it is possible to build a bright future. A full recovery is possible, and it’s never too soon to start an alcohol detox program.

How common is binge drinking?

The prominence of binge drinking is a big public health concern.  Binge drinking occurs across most age demographics including drinkers younger than 21 years.  According to a 2015 study by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) 5.1 million people between ages 12 and 20 (about 13.4 percent) reported binge drinking within the past month.  Binge drinking in Georgia among adolescents is much lower than most other states in the U.S. A 2017 SAMHSA study shows that 12.32% reported binge drinking within the past month. Only North Carolina, Tennessee, and Utah had lower percentages. About one in six American adults binge drinks four times a month, averaging seven drinks per binge.

A recent study by the Center for Drug Use and HIV/HCV Research (CDUHR) at NYU College of Global Public Health found that more than 10 percent of adults over the age of 65 binge drink.  For the study 10, 927 adults over the age of 65 reported their drinking habits from the previous 30 days. The report was published in the Journal of American Geriatrics Society on July 31, 2019. According to the CDC, excessive drinking costs the United States $249 billion in 2010. “These costs resulted from losses in workplace productivity, health care expenditures, criminal justice costs, and other expenses. Binge drinking was responsible for 77% of these costs, or $191 billion.”

What are the risks of binge drinking?

Negative effects of binge drinking include:

  • Alcohol poisoning
  • Alcohol-induced amnesia (or blacking out)
  • Injuries
  • Lowered inhibitions
  • Poor decision-making that could lead to driving while intoxicated, destroying property, getting into fights or arguments, and having unprotected sex.

In the majority of reported incidents of sexual assault, alcohol was consumed by either the perpetrator, victim, or both. Drinking to the point of blacking out puts you at a much greater risk for being sexually assaulted. Long-term consequences of excessive drinking include weight gain, mental health disorders such as depression, pancreatitis, and the possible development of type 2 diabetes.

Does binge drinking make me an alcoholic?

While binge drinking is a symptom of alcohol use disorder (AUD), commonly referred to as alcoholism, most people who binge drink don’t have alcohol dependence or an alcohol use disorder.  Binge drinking is a risk factor in the development of AUD. Drinking excessively may still someone without AUD to experience many of the same negative consequences of someone with AUD.

Where can I get help for my drinking?

You can start your path to recovery today — one phone call is all it takes.

If you or a loved one are experiencing negative consequences from bouts of binge drinking but are having trouble controlling your consumption of alcohol, there are many resources available to you. If you drink alcohol excessively, withdrawal can be dangerous, even deadly. Medical detox from alcohol and other substances such as benzodiazepines and opiates is recommended. Even after the substance use has subsided, stressors, traumas, and even small irritations can trigger the urge to recur drug or alcohol use.

For many in recovery, a full continuum of care is recommended, meaning that some form of treatment, usually periodic outpatient appointments to address co-occurring mental health disorders. At Atlanta Detox Center we’ve got the tools and programs to help get your life back on track, and we’re focused on you. We understand your situation, and we’re friendly to chat with. Let us take that heavy burden off your shoulders. Give us a quick call at 470-450-2355.

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