Each year, millions of Americans consume alcohol. Some do it occasionally, while others do it on a regular basis. Many people who drink alcohol do so in moderation, but some abuse it by consuming large amounts at a time. Everyone has heard of binge drinking and alcohol abuse, but the exact definitions for these terms are somewhat vague. Due to this ambiguity, it helps to know exactly what they are. Knowing what counts as binge drinking and alcohol abuse can help people understand both how to drink responsibly, and if they have a problem with alcohol.
What Is Binge Drinking?
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines binge drinking for men as five or more drinks per occasion. For women, binge drinking is considered four or more drinks per occasion. The NIAAA also explains that, when someone binge drinks, he drinks so much alcohol in about a two-hour time period that his blood alcohol concentration levels reaches or exceeds 0.08g/dL. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) lists the following negative health effects of binge drinking:
- Alcohol poisoning
- Cardiovascular damage and disease
- Children born with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
- Liver disease
- Neurological damage
- Sexual dysfunction
- Unintentional and intentional injuries
Get help if you recognize your struggles with any of the aforementioned problems.
What Is Alcohol Abuse?
Binge drinking is related to alcohol abuse, but the two are not always the same. As the National Institutes of Health (NIH) describe, alcohol abuse occurs when someone (while not physically dependent on alcohol) drinks so much that her drinking causes problems in any of the following areas:
- At home, school or at work
- In personal relationships
- With the law
- With the well-being of oneself and others, as occurs in drinking and driving situations
The CDC also explains that alcohol abuse is distinguished from alcoholism, a chronic disease in which someone has strong cravings for alcohol. An alcoholic cannot control the amount of alcohol he consumes, so he continues drinking in spite of negative consequences. The NIH identifies the following symptoms of alcohol abuse:
- Drinking despite negative consequences
- Drinking alone
- Attempting to hide alcohol use
- Maintaining a poor diet
- Needing alcohol to get through the day
- Missing work, school or social activities because of drinking
- Acting inappropriately
- Become defensive when discussing drinking habits
Seek help if you or a loved one demonstrates any of these problems.
Statistics on Binge and Heavy Drinking
The NIAAA defines heavy drinking as consuming five or more drinks on any day or 15 or more per week for men. Heavy drinking behavior for women is defined as four or more drinks on any day or eight or more drinks per week. Engaging in this type of heavy alcohol use is not uncommon in the U.S. In fact, in the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), it was mentioned that as many as 26.4 percent of adults were binge alcohol users in the past month at the time of taking the survey.
Learn About Binge Drinking and Alcohol Abuse
Binge drinking and alcohol abuse can both affect someone’s life in significant ways. It can be difficult to admit that a problem exists, but, if you or a loved one fits any of the descriptions listed above, then you may be dealing with binge drinking or alcohol abuse. It is best to get help as soon as possible to prevent more physical, psychological, social and legal problems from arising. If you would like more information about how to get help for binge drinking and alcohol abuse, we can help. You call us 24/7 for a no cost assessment or to speak to someone about treatment options. 615-490-9376.