The Reality of Binge Drinking
Although many people do not consider binge drinking a form of alcoholism, the Centers for Disease Control considers it one of the most common forms of this disease. Additionally, binge drinking is one of the most common forms of drinking in general. Although many people do not know what binge drinking is it is a continuing problem among people particularly those who are young adults and college students.
What is Binge Drinking?
Binge drinking is when someone drinks excessively for sometimes days or weeks and then suddenly quits. When they stop they stop for days, weeks, or sometimes months before the cycle of getting drunk and remaining drunk begins again. Binge drinkers drink excessive amounts of alcohol in a very short period of time.
Signs of Binge Drinking
![Reality of Binge Drinking](https://www.12step.com/wp-content/uploads/withdrawal-250x165.jpg)
Binge drinkers often experience intense withdrawal symptoms.
People who binge drink have very specific signs. It is difficult to identify the binge drinkers because they do not drink every day. They do however have a pattern of symptoms. These symptoms are:
- When they do drink they get very drunk very quickly
- They avoid drinking on most occasions
- Many binge drinkers drink by themselves
- They crave alcohol when they are not drinking
- Their withdrawal is extremely intense and is also very dangerous
- They exhibit symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome
- Once they start drinking they are unable to stop until something snaps them out of it
- They hide their drinking as often as possible in an effort to remain drunk
Although these are not all the signs of binge drinking, they are the most common that are exclusive to this type of alcoholism.
Dangers of Binge Drinking
Binge drinkers are in more danger of many things. They tend to take more risks than daily drinkers do. Some of the dangers of binge drinking are:
- Increased risk of drinking and driving
- Increased risk of fatal withdrawal
- Increased risk of blacking out
- Increased risk of blood clots
- Increased risk of losing your employment because of drinking
- Increased risk of alcohol related problems due to the stress on the body
Binge drinking puts an incredible amount of stress on the body. It rapidly destroys the liver, kidneys, and heart. Since binge drinkers cannot control their drinking, they are unable to stop even when something bad happens.
Binge drinkers often wind up violent while they are drinking. They are more likely to be in an abusive relationship and are more likely to have an assault on their record.
Treatment of Binge Drinking
Binge drinking is difficult to identify but it is not difficult to treat. Doctors treat binge drinking just like they treat any other form of alcoholism. This is through counseling and medication. Many people who binge drink respond very well to the traditional forms of alcohol addiction treatment.
If you find yourself unable to control your binge drinking, there is help available. Most alcohol treatment involves an brief stint in medical detox for withdrawal due to the dangers associated with alcohol withdrawal syndrome. This is why you need a qualified treatment center. For help finding a qualified treatment center call us at 1-800-895-1695.