Binge Drinking and Alcoholism

When you think of alcoholism, you probably imagine a person who drinks copiously every day and who cannot function without it. But this stereotype does not apply to all as it overlooks another dangerous form of alcohol abuse: binge drinking.
Binge drinking is defined as excessive alcohol consumption in a short period of time. It is not just reckless behavior; it is a serious issue that can lead to long-term physical, mental, and emotional harm. To bring about awareness of binge drinking as a form of alcoholism, we need to be able to recognize behaviors associated with alcohol abuse.
Most people do not see binge drinking as a problem, and it is often celebrated in society. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines “binge drinking” as consuming enough alcohol to bring one’s (BAC) to 0.08 grams percent or above. This means consuming five or more drinks in two hours for men or four or more drinks for women in the same period.
Most who engage in this behavior will binge drink for multiple days in a row or multiple times a week. The key difference in daily alcohol dependence is it is episodic and can happen many times in a row or very few. The consequences of binge drinking can be just as intense as daily drinking, if not a little worse. So, saying that binge drinking does not fit the same standard of liability to your body as daily drinking is just a justification.
In fact, a staggering 61.4 million people in the United States ages twelve and older had reported binge drinking in the past month, as of November 2024. Binge drinking and daily alcohol consumption are different. However, there is a commonality. That commonality is a definite lack of control over alcohol consumption. While someone who binge drinks may not drink every day, the inability to moderate their use of alcohol is a clear sign of an abuse disorder.
It may not seem like it at the time, but binge behavior can quickly increase total alcohol dependence. This is due to the person drinking and needing more and more alcohol to achieve the same effects. A binge drinker can go days or weeks without drinking, but periods of heavy drinking can take a major toll on the body and mind. Repetition of these episodes will cause the brain to crave more alcohol, which will create a circuit in the brain that is very hard to break.
Physical Health Risks:
Binge drinking can cause a slew of physical health problems that especially target the liver, heart, and brain. Introducing large amounts of alcohol to the liver can be very dangerous. In fact, a study has proven that intermittent binge drinking harms the liver in ways that more moderate daily drinking does not. Binge drinking produces fatty liver tissue and triggers early stages of inflammation. Bingeing also increases the levels of alcohol-metabolizing enzymes, which can produce oxidative damage and other forms of harm to the liver.
Binge drinking has also been shown to greatly increase the risk of arrhythmia, cardiomyopathy, and atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation is especially dangerous as it is responsible for 5% of deaths in the U.S. every year.
Problems with the brain are also a significant concern. Drinking copious amounts of alcohol during a binge shocks the brain and brings on a slew of problems. Communication pathways are disrupted, cognitive function is impaired, and areas responsible for memory are greatly affected. This is particularly dangerous in adolescence while the brain is still developing and can manifest as difficulties with learning, decision-making, and emotional regulation.
Due to bingeing’s prevalence in young adults, it is often overlooked and considered a phase or expected behavior. Often, binge drinking is normalized and even celebrated in social circles such as colleges and clubs. These binge drinkers will likely not see themselves as alcoholics because they do not drink every day. Due to the denial of a problem, intervention is delayed, and the problem grows.
It is critical to change the public’s perception and recognize it as a form of alcoholism. Education is key to dismissing myths and biases about binge drinking to highlight its dangers. By addressing the root causes of drinking and offering support, we can create a society that prioritizes health over harmful drinking habits.
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