The term “binge drinking” is normally associated with teens and college parties. However, this is not only present in younger individual’s lifestyles, but with adults as well. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism explains binge drinking as “a pattern of drinking that brings a person’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08 grams percent or above”. This pattern of excessive alcohol use is explained to be more common among men than women. It’s very common for any individual from any age group to fall victim to this vicious cycle at some point in their lives. Just take a look at some facts listed below.
The following facts about binge drinking were provided by the Centers For Disease Control (CDC) Prevention:
Binge Drinking Facts
- One in six US adults binge drinks about four times a month, consuming about seven drinks per binge. This results in 17 billion total binge drinks consumed by adults annually, or 467 binge drinks per binge drinker.
- Binge drinking is most common among younger adults aged 18–34 years, but more than half of the total binge drinks are consumed by those aged 35 and older.
- Binge drinking is also linked to violence including homicide, suicide, intimate partner violence, and sexual assault.
- More common among people with household incomes of $75,000 or more and higher educational levels. Binge drinkers with lower incomes and educational levels, however, consume more binge drinks per year.
- Over 90% of U.S. adults who drink excessively report binge drinking in the past 30 days.
- Binge drinking is linked to sexually transmitted diseases, memory/learning problems, stroke, high blood pressure, heart disease, and liver disease
- Binge drinking has a direct link to cancer of the breast, mouth, throat, esophagus, liver and colon.
- Consuming large amounts of alcohol do not only affect you physically, but mentally and emotionally too. According to the CDC, binge drinking is the most common, costly, and deadly pattern of excessive alcohol use (CDC, 2018).
According to the CDC, anyone can contribute to the prevention of binge drinking. Some strategies they suggest are as such:
- Choose not to drink too much yourself and help others not do it.
- If you choose to drink alcohol, follow the U.S. Dietary Guidelines on moderate alcohol consumption (no more than one drink per day for women and no more than 2 drinks per day for men).
- Support effective community strategies to prevent excessive alcohol use.
- Not serve or provide alcohol to those who should not be drinking, including children or teens and those who have already drank too much.
- Talk with your health care provider about your drinking behavior and request counseling if you drink too much.
How to Stop Binge Drinking
If you are unsure of your pattern of drinking, take some time out of your day to analyze your actions and surroundings. Write down an estimate of what you think you drink, where, when, and with who. Then provide this information to a counselor or your primary care physician and ask for some advice and question them about your habits.
If you feel like your drinking, or someone you love’s drinking, has become unmanageable, Sage Recovery can help. We have multiple representatives in the admissions team to help. Contact us to learn more about our treatment programs. Do not wait until the alcohol use gets worse. Let’s work together to create a happier and healthier alcohol-free lifestyle for you and your loved ones.
References
“CDC – Fact Sheets-Binge Drinking – Alcohol.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 24 Oct. 2018 www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/binge-drinking.htm
“CDC – Fact Sheets- Preventing Excessive Alcohol Use – Alcohol.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 17 Oct. 2016 www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/prevention.htm