On the surface, they may appear different, but going to a wedding and drinking a few glasses of wine, getting drunk at a college party on six beers, or sitting at home and drinking a bottle of whiskey are all forms of binge drinking and can all have health consequences.
Read on to learn more about the health effects of binge drinking and how to stop.
Signs of Binge Drinking
Binge drinking has been described by both number of drinks and blood alcohol content (BAC).
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism states that if a person drinks enough alcohol on one occasion to bring their BAC above .08%, it is considered a binge drinking event.
This is usually five or more drinks for men, or four or more drinks for women, within a two-hour timespan. However, everyone is different, and some people, particularly younger teens or preteens, will drink less and still reach this BAC.
Health Effects of Binge Drinking
Binge drinking can have serious health effects, both short-term and long-term.
Short-Term Effects
When a person drinks alcohol, their liver breaks it down. However, if a person is binge drinking, their liver cannot keep up with the amount of alcohol in the body. This leads to a higher level of alcohol in the bloodstream. As the blood is circulated, alcohol affects all organs and tissues in the body.
The effects of binge drinking can be felt nearly immediately as you begin to feel drunk. A person may begin to feel:
Clumsy or dizzyEuphoricDrowsyFree of inhibitionsImpaired judgment
The short-term health effects of binge drinking are both physiological and due to the symptoms of intoxication.
Some short-term effects of binge drinking can include:
Alcohol poisoning Acute pancreatitis Reduced immune system function Unprotected sex (also known as condomless sex), which can lead to sexually transmitted infections Physical trauma, such as falls, injuries, motor vehicle accidents, or drowning Violence or assault
Unfortunately, even just one episode of binge drinking can lead to death. This could be due to alcohol poisoning or unintentional injury or accident due to intoxication. One study found that nearly half of alcohol-related deaths in the United States were due to binge drinking.
Long-Term Effects
Like other types of excessive alcohol use, binge drinking also has long-term consequences, particularly if a person binge drinks on multiple occasions.
Some long-term effects of binge drinking include:
Worsened chronic conditions (including liver disease, heart disease, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, diabetes, sleep disorders, and stroke) Cognitive issues Cancer (including esophageal, liver, colorectal, mouth, larynx, pharynx, and breast cancer) Fetal alcohol syndrome Sudden infant death syndrome
How to Stop Binge Drinking
Binge drinking on its own can be dangerous or even deadly; it also increases a person’s risk of developing alcohol use disorder. Therefore, it’s important to stop binge drinking, particularly if you have repeated episodes of binge drinking.
Some strategies to stop binge drinking include:
Avoiding triggers, such as certain people, events, or environments Create a contract with yourself on how often and how much you can drink Delve into the deeper reasons behind your binge drinking (such as distraction, stress, self-esteem, social anxiety, trying to fit in, trauma, or boredom) Consider therapy, counseling, or a support group like Alcoholics Anonymous
Binge Drinking Prevention
A primary way to prevent binge drinking is to be aware of the social settings it is most likely to occur.
Feeling like you need to “get drunk” in certain settingsDifficulty reducing your alcohol intakeStrong urges or cravings for alcoholIncreased alcohol tolerance (having to drink more to reach the same level of intoxication)Work, school, or relationship issues due to alcoholMemory loss (“blackouts” or “brownouts”) after drinking
Binge drinking is particularly rampant among young adults who attend college. It’s estimated that 33% of college students binge drink in a one-month period.
Other social events—such as weddings, parties, reunions, conferences, networking, and more—can all involve alcohol and cultures that support binge drinking.
This isn’t to say that you should not attend college or RSVP “no” to a friend’s wedding. But it can be helpful to go into these situations prepared to discuss or deflect your decision not to drink (or to drink less).
Consider preparing for events with some practiced responses, such as:
Thank you, but I’ve reached my quota for tonight. I’m not drinking right now. No. Why don’t we dance instead?I’m taking antibiotics, so I can’t drink. I’m taking a break from drinking. No thanks, but I’d love water (or another type of beverage). I’m the designated driver tonight.
You may choose to tell close friends or loved ones you are avoiding binge drinking and ask for their support in these social situations. It’s also OK to avoid these settings altogether if that is best for you.
Summary
Binge drinking is the most common form of excessive alcohol use. It has serious short-term and long-term health consequences, including alcohol poisoning, accidents, injuries, memory issues, liver problems, and cancer. It can even lead to death in some cases.
Just because binge drinking is normalized in many settings does not mean that it is healthy or even safe. You can take steps to prevent binge drinking, like avoiding situations in which it is likely to occur, saying “no” when offered a drink, or making a commitment to yourself not to drink.
A Word From Verywell
Stopping binge drinking is paramount for your health. Of course, this can be much easier said than done. There are many cultural factors at play in binge drinking, and it can be difficult to change a behavioral pattern that society expects, even if those behaviors are objectively not good for your health. Start by talking to your loved ones or a healthcare provider openly about the effects of your drinking, and try to dig deeper into why you are binge drinking in the first place.
