Binge drinking is the first step in recognizing signs of alcohol abuse and dependence. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the problem affects about one in six Americans. A 2015 study shows that around 37 million Americans have been binge drinking that year.
The dangers of binge drinking are proven to be an issue and can leave a lasting impact in many ways. That is why it is crucial to know the signs of binge drinking and how to address it.
How Much is Too Much? Signs to Look Out For Binge Drinking and How to Set Limits
Binge Drinking: A Preventable Serious Problem
The CDC defines binge drinking as consuming more than five or more drinks on an occasion for men and four or more drinks for women. Binge drinking is a serious health problem but a preventable one. It is the most common, costly, and deadly pattern of alcohol abuse in the US.
Most people with severe alcohol use disorder engage in binge drinking, a behavior linked to serious injuries and multiple diseases. More so, binge drinking is associated with an increased risk of alcohol use disorder. It is just one pattern of excessive alcohol use and accounts for over 90% of excessive drinking among US adults.
Binge drinking increased by 21 percent during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to The Harvard Gazette. A year increase in alcohol consumption during the pandemic was expected to result in 8,000 more deaths due to alcohol-related liver diseases, 18,700 due to liver failure and 1,000 cases of liver cancer by 2040.
Binge Drinkers and Amount of Alcohol in Each Drink
Binge drinking is most common in younger adults between the ages of 18 and 34 and more men than women engage in such behavior, especially adults with higher household incomes.
The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism suggests paying attention to the labels and serving sizes to know how much alcohol a person consumes. For instance, a 12-ounce beer usually has 5% alcohol, a 5-ounce glass of wine usually has about 12% alcohol, and 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits usually have about 40% alcohol.
Signs of Binge Drinking
Although binge drinking is the first sign of alcohol use disorder, it does not always mean that a person has that disorder. The CDC defines alcohol use disorder as a type of illness that persists over time, unlike binge drinking. In addition, the main indicator of binge drinking is not linked to a dependency on alcohol.
These are the following signs of binge drinking, according to Dr. David Streem via Cleveland Clinic:
- Frequent blackouts or having memory gaps
- Feeling guilty over drinking too much
- Legal problems brought about by drinking
- Tired and irritable after a night out
- Being defensive on drinking habits
- Drinking more than originally planned
- Drinking in the early hours of the day
- Centering your life on drinking
What to Do to Stop Binge Drinking
Binge drinking could also cause many health issues, both short-term and long-term. To prevent this, WebMD suggests taking some steps to lower the risk while drinking.
Limit alcohol use by following a recommended average of only one drink per day. Also, drinking more slowly and having some food while drinking can help.
A person may also use alternative non-alcoholic drinks, like water to prevent drinking problems. Lastly, it is important to make a plan to avoid excessive drinking.
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