Binge Drinking vs Alcoholism: What’s the Difference?

Other problems such as behavioral outbursts, alcohol dependency and irreversible health conditions may also arise from underage drinking. Along with short-term side effects, frequent binge drinking can lead to a host of long-term complications. These more serious consequences are often overlooked because of the quick, one-night occurrence of some binge drinking episodes. Unfortunately, all of this alcohol use can lead to dangerous consequences. Statistics from the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism shows that over 1500 college students aged die each year from alcohol-related causes. Along with death, assault, sexual assault, academic problems, and risk of addiction are all potential problems that can also occur from this.

People who are homozygous for the ALDH2 gene are less likely to binge-drink due to severe adverse effects that occur even with moderate amounts of alcohol consumption. For the purpose of identifying an alcohol use disorder when assessing Binge Drinking, using a time frame of the past 6 months eliminates false negatives. However, the same researchers also note that recall bias is somewhat enhanced when longer timeframes are used. How quickly a person’s body absorbs alcohol may depend on their sex, age, and body size. But it typically takes four or more standard drinks for women and five or more standard drinks for men to reach a BAC of 0.08% during a 2-hour binge drinking period. The dangers of binge drinking go beyond the risk of physical disease in a person’s body, or mental-emotional damage to their mind. Binge drinking also increases the chance of accidental injury; and of becoming a victim or perpetrator of interpersonal violence.

Translations of binge drinking

Connect with a therapist from Calmerry anytime, anywhere. Get professional help from an addiction and mental health counselor from BetterHelp by phone, video, or live-chat.

• These more serious consequences are often overlooked because of the quick, one-night occurrence of some binge drinking episodes.
• Only about 10 percent of people who binge drink struggle with a dependence on alcohol.
• Seizures, loss of consciousness, and even death can occur.
• It can negatively impact a person’s physical and mental health in a wide variety of ways.
• While binge drinking may not be as severe as a problem as alcoholism, it can be a warning sign of alcohol use disorder.

As mentioned above, alcohol is a factor in 40% of fatal falls, highway crashes, and suicides. And chronic alcohol use can lead to anemia—causing fatigue, an increased risk of infections, and bruising/bleeding more easily. Alcohol inhibits the gag reflex, so saliva, vomit, or other substances can more easily enter the lungs. In the short-term, this increases the chance of death by asphyxiation.

Talking to someone about their binge drinking

These may include inappropriate behavior, unstable moods, poor judgment, slurred speech, problems with attention or https://ecosoberhouse.com/ memory, and poor coordination. You can also have periods called “blackouts,” where you don’t remember events.