Many people binge drink, not just those who struggle with an addiction to alcohol. What starts out as a simple night out with friends can result in a night of binge drinking. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “binge drinking is the most common, costly, and deadly pattern of excessive alcohol use in the United States.” 

What Is Binge Drinking?

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) defines binge drinking as a pattern of drinking that brings your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08% or higher. For the standard adult, this typically means consuming four or more drinks (for females) or five or more drinks (for males) in a span of two hours. Fewer drinks in the same timeframe result in the same BAC in younger individuals. For youth, this pattern of drinking corresponds to three drinks for girls, and three to five drinks for boys, depending on their age and size. 

Who Binge Drinks?

According to the CDC:

• One in six U.S. adults binge drinks about four times a month, consuming around seven drinks per binge. 
• Binge drinking is most common among young adults, typically between the ages of 18 and 34. However, more than half of total binge drinks are consumed by those 35 or older.
• Binge drinking is twice as common among men than among women. 
• Over 90% of adults in the United States who drink excessively report binge drinking in the past 30 days.
• Most people below the age of 21 who drink alcohol report binge drinking. 

Short-Term Effects of Binge Drinking

Binge drinking has immediate effects that increase your risk of harmful health conditions. The short-term effects of binge drinking include: 

• Injuries, including motor vehicle crashes, falls, drownings, and burns
• Violence, such as homicide, suicide, sexual assault, and partner violence
• Risky sexual behaviors, including unprotected sex or sex with multiple partners, thus increasing the risk of sexually transmitted diseases
• Miscarriage, stillbirth, or fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) in pregnant women 
• Alcohol poisoning 

The Dangers of Alcohol Poisoning 

Binge drinking produces such a dramatic increase in BAC that it increases your risk of suffering from alcohol poisoning. Alcohol poisoning is a serious and often deadly consequence of drinking high volumes of alcohol in a short period of time. Alcohol poisoning affects the central nervous system, slowing breathing and heart rate. It also interferes with the gag reflex, which increases the risk of choking on vomit if you pass out from drinking too much.

The symptoms associated with alcohol poisoning include:

• Irregular breathing (slowed or shallow)
• Low body temperature leading to paleness or bluish skin color
• Seizures
• Difficulty staying awake or alert
• Loss of consciousness
• Vomiting 
• Slow heart rate
• Clammy to the touch
• Dulled or nonexistent reflexes

If you or someone around you is exhibiting the signs of alcohol poisoning, it is imperative to seek medical attention right away. 

Long-Term Effects of Binge Drinking

When you binge drink repeatedly, it can cause long-term, adverse health effects. Long-term side effects associated with binge drinking include:

• Brain damage: When you consume a heavy volume of alcohol over an extended period, it may cause structural changes in the brain, especially the complexes associated with learning and decision-making. Damage can range from memory lapses to debilitating conditions. Binge drinking and heavy alcohol use in the adolescent brain can affect learning, attention, executive functioning, impulsivity, memory, depth perception, and spatial navigation. These issues can continue into adulthood.
• Liver damage: Alcohol damages the liver and disrupts its healthy functioning and ability to repair itself. As a result of repeated binge drinking, you can develop alcohol-induced liver damage. 
• Cardiovascular disease: Over time, binge drinking can cause you to develop high blood pressure. Binge drinking can also lead to a heart attack or stroke. 
• Cancer: Heavy alcohol consumption has been linked to breast, mouth, throat, esophagus, colon, and liver cancers.

Are You Struggling With Alcohol Use Disorder?

Repeated binge drinking episodes can also lead you to develop alcohol use disorder (AUD). If you are wondering if your binge drinking has turned into AUD, it may be helpful to ask yourself the following questions:

• Have you had times where you ended up drinking more or longer than you intended?
• Have you, more than once, tried to cut down or stop drinking but found you could not? 
• Have you wanted to drink so badly you could not think of anything else? 
• Have you found that drinking, or being sick from drinking, has interfered with work, family, or school? 
• Have you continued to drink even though you experienced worsening mental or physical health problems?
• Have you had to drink more to get the effect you want?
• Have you found that when the effects of alcohol were wearing off, you had withdrawal symptoms, such as trouble sleeping, shakiness, restlessness, nausea, sweating, a racing heart, or a seizure?

If you believe you may be struggling with AUD, it is best to reach out to a medical professional. 

Millions of adults across the United States engage in binge drinking. Binge drinking is a pattern of drinking that brings blood alcohol content (BAC) to 0.08% or higher. Binge drinking, even one time, can have severe consequences on your health and livelihood. Continued binge drinking can lead to long-term health consequences, including brain damage, liver damage, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. If you binge drink, it is also possible to develop alcohol use disorder (AUD). If you are struggling with binge drinking or AUD, help is available. At The Kimberely Center, we are prepared to help you overcome your problems with alcohol. The Kimberly Center offers flexible, individualized treatment. We focus on detox and outpatient care for people who need to maintain work, school, or family responsibilities while getting help for alcoholism. To learn more about our program and how we can help you heal, call us today at (855) 452-3683.