Binge drinking is when a person consumes enough alcoholic beverages during a 2-hour period to bring their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08% or higher. Typically, this means four drinks for women and five drinks for men. Binge drinking is one of the most common stages of alcohol use disorder.
The Long-Term Risks of Binge Drinking
The 2015 study results showed Americans were consuming about seven drinks during each episode of binge drinking. Additionally, a 2017 study suggests that binge drinking may be an early risk factor of developing AUD. For example, a 2018 cross-sectional study found a strong relationship between adolescents who binge binge drinking effects drink and developing AUD.
What Binge Drinking Does to the Brain, and the Gut
In fact, throughout most of our history, alcohol has been a lifesaver, killing the ubiquitous pathogens in ordinary water. Louis Pasteur, eponymous for killing microbes, said that “wine is the most healthful and most hygienic of beverages.” Alcohol, produced by microbial fermentation, is a potent antiseptic. Don’t bring up the subject when they’re already drinking or hungover.
Other chronic diseases
Funny, yes; but, sadly, drinking led to his death after he collapsed at the Harbour Lights Bar in Dublin. Millions of readers rely on HelpGuide.org for free, evidence-based resources to understand and navigate mental health challenges. Please donate today to help us save, support, and change lives. In social situations where drinking is encouraged, you can give your loved one reasons to practice self-control.
Binge drinking vs. alcoholism
The main indicator of a binge-drinking episode is having four to five drinks (or more) within two hours. It isn’t linked to a dependency on alcohol, and the CDC frames it as a preventable problem. Arwady emphasized it’s also important to provide support and services to parents and guardians who struggle with mental health and substance abuse. That’s because drinking during pregnancy doesn’t just affect your health. It can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or premature delivery. Excessive drinking may affect your menstrual cycle and potentially increase your risk for infertility.
- Chronic drinking can affect your heart and lungs, raising your risk of developing heart-related health issues.
- Cryan, Dinan, and their team at APC Microbiome, based at University College Cork, recently looked at what happens to gut microbes in young binge drinkers.
- Individuals of African descent have a lower level of binge drinking followed by those of Asian descent.
- Reach out 24/7 to American Addiction Centers at for a free, private consultation.
- Binge drinking is when someone drinks a large quantity of alcohol in a short amount of time.
Binge drinking can lead to anti-social, aggressive and violent behaviour. If you think someone might be experiencing alcohol poisoning, even if you have doubts, place them on their side in the recovery position and call 999 for an ambulance. Drinking alcohol on a regular basis can also lead to dependence, which means your body and brain have grown used to alcohol’s effects.
