Binge drinking is something that is often thought of in regards to college frat parties or high school parties at someone’s house when the parents are gone. Unofficially binge drinking is the act of drinking until you’re drunk. Officially, it is defined as a man drinking five or more drinks or a woman drinking four or more, all within a couple of hours. This often produces a blood alcohol level way above what is considered safe. Many people consider this type of drinking as fairly harmless, but there are many dangers of binge drinking. Rockland Recovery in Weymouth, MA, understands the effects of alcohol abuse and can guide you or a loved one into the proper alcohol addiction treatment program.
Dangers of Binge Drinking: Alcohol Poisoning
One of the biggest immediate dangers of binge drinking is alcohol poisoning. Your liver can only metabolize so much alcohol within a given period. The damage done to your liver from frequent binge drinking is not reversible. Furthermore, being drinking puts a strain upon your other organs increasing your risk of other severe conditions. When more is forced into your system, it can cause organs such as your heart and lungs to start shutting down. Irregular heartbeat and heart attack are regularly connected with binge drinking. Also, with impaired blood flow and erratic blood pressure, you are at a high risk of stroke no matter your age. One of the biggest dangers of binge drinking is passing out and vomiting. If your head isn’t turned in the proper direction, you can breathe in the waste and drown on your vomit.
Fallout From Risky Behavior
Binge drinking also leads to a suspension of rational decision-making. Individuals under the influence of alcohol often make choices they normally wouldn’t. The fallout from these choices is one of the dangers of binge drinking. This fallout can include accidents or legal charges from drunk driving or STDs from unprotected sex with strangers or people you wouldn’t normally have sex with. The choices you make while binge drinking can cause accidents that will leave you healing for a long time afterward. You may also experience both financial and legal troubles. Binge drinkers have also been found to be more likely to accidentally kill someone else or commit suicide. The alcohol increases anger and depression, while at the same time lowering inhibitions and the ability to control impulses. This can be a deadly combination.
Long-term Dangers of Binge Drinking
Binge drinking over time leads to many health issues. The heart and lungs become damaged. Your liver stops being able to function properly, and so does your pancreas. With the pancreas being jeopardized, things like diabetes can increase, and so can certain types of cancer. When binge drinking frequently occurs at a young age, you are putting yourself at a greater risk of brain injury because your brain is still growing and developing until you are in your mid-twenties. Finally, chronic binge drinking is one of the quickest ways to lead to alcohol abuse disorder and alcohol addiction.
Let Rockland Recovery Help
Entering our sober living program in Massachusetts allows residents the opportunity to get past their binge drinking and start looking forward to life again. Life is full of many choices, and we don’t always make the wisest ones. Choosing to get sober, however, is likely to be one of the bravest, most positive choices you will ever make. A brighter tomorrow begins by reaching out today and dialing 855.732.4842. Someone will be here at Rockland Recovery ready to answer your call. By getting the treatment you need in either our men’s rehab program or women’s rehab program, you can get started towards living a sober life.
