The Risks Associated With Binge Drinking: Learn the Dangers of Excessive Alcohol Consumption
By Allison Kanaley Trudell
Lifescript: Healthy Living for Women, Feb 13, 2008
Despite an increase in public awareness and many campaigns aimed at curbing excessive consumption of alcohol, one group of drinkers continues to grow. Binge drinking is on the rise and has been for the last decade. Learn about the dangers of binge drinking and find out where to get help if you or someone you know is struggling with this problem.
While it is no surprise that college students make up a large percentage of the population who partake in excessive alcohol consumption, the adult population is closing the gap. Although the number of drinkers who binge is highest in the 18- to 20-year-old range, adults over the age of 25 make up 70 percent of binge-drinking episodes. In addition, men are three times more likely to binge drink than women, and binge drinkers have a 14 percent higher chance of reporting driving while under the influence of alcohol as compared to those who don’t binge. Another telling statistic: About 75 percent of the alcohol consumed by American adults is by those who are binge drinking.
Are You a Binge Drinker?
The answer may surprise a lot of people. The NIAAA describes binge drinking as a pattern of drinking that causes blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to be .08 gram percent or above. For males, that would equate to about five or more drinks in a two-hour period, and about four or more drinks for females during that time frame. A “drink” refers to a 12-ounce beer, five-ounce glass of wine, or a 1.5-ounce shot of distilled spirits.
The Effects of Binge Drinking on the Body
The notion that just “having a few” drinks is safe can be dangerous in itself. Drinking and driving can have obvious consequences. Consider this sobering statistic: Alcohol abuse kills more than 100,000 Americans each year, mostly in traffic accidents. It’s also the third largest preventable cause of death in this country.
Binge drinking can lead to the following health issues: injuries – both intentional and unintentional, alcohol poisoning, sexually transmitted diseases, unintended pregnancy, children born with fetal alcohol exposure syndrome. But the effects of alcohol that can’t immediately be seen could be the most harmful. Alcohol can contribute to high blood pressure, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases, liver disease, neurological damage, sexual dysfunction, and can limit the control of diabetes.
Consuming too much alcohol during a short time period can have serious and irreversible effects on the brain. Alcohol kills brain cells, specifically in the front part of the brain, which processes information for decision-making. Excessive drinking during early or middle adolescence can affect the body by limiting its control over cravings for alcohol, as well as lay the framework for poor decision-making.
Binge drinking can be a sign of bigger problems. Alcoholism, once considered an environmental or situational problem, is now tagged as largely genetic. And those who find themselves binge drinking on a regular basis may be dealing with undiagnosed depression or other physiological conditions. If you notice a pattern of binge drinking behavior, consult your physician to discuss a plan of action.
Women should be especially wary of their alcohol consumption. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy – even a little – can contribute to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), infant low birth weight, and developmental delays in children.
“Women are more vulnerable to binge drinking,” said Dr. Marcia Russell, who co-authored two recent studies on the issue. Russell said heavy drinking in adolescence and early adulthood could work against women who engage in binge drinking as adults. She explained that the effects of the intensity of drinking on the cardiovascular system is higher in women than in men, and that women generally weigh less than men, have more body fat, and metabolize alcohol differently. “All of these issues are really important,” Russell said. She said taking a look at lifelong drinking patterns is critical to understanding how health is affected by alcohol.
In addition, the consumption of alcohol has been linked by numerous studies regarding the risk of breast cancer in women. Alcohol, especially when consumed at a rate of three or more drinks a day, increased a woman’s risk of breast cancer by 30 percent.
While moderate alcohol consumption – about one drink per day for women – is considered a heart-healthy habit, the health risks associated with alcohol, including cancer, increase with more drinks. Something as basic as weight gain can be a dangerous precursor for more health problems down the road. Alcohol stimulates the appetite, and alcohol consumed in large amounts can result in weight gain. Further, alcohol is a depressant and can exacerbate feelings of depression in women. A group of Canadian researchers found that binge drinking may affect women who suffer from depression more than other people.
The research linked depression with a pattern of binge drinking. Alcohol lowers serotonin and norepinephrine levels, and can affect behavior of stress hormones.
Perhaps one of the most serious side effects of binge drinking is the effect it has on both the mother and her unborn child. Menstrual disorders have also been associated with chronic heavy drinking, which can lead to fertility problems and the risk of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
“This concerns me,” said Russell, who favors a so-called harm-reduction approach to the issue of drinking during pregnancy. She said an appreciation of the use of contraceptives if there is a risk of an unwanted pregnancy. “When you think of it, 50 percent of pregnancies are unplanned; these are women who are going around thinking moderate drinking is okay. They may not think of it as particularly harmful. There’s just a lot of societal acceptance of this.”
Recognizing a problem with alcohol in yourself or in someone you know is the crucial first step to getting help. There are support groups for those who suffer from alcohol addiction and their families. Teens are encouraged to talk to a trusted adult, and as always, the best advice in dealing with medical issues comes from your doctor. Self-help programs that specifically target binge drinking are available (ask your doctor for more information), and those with alcohol abuse problems can contact the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment at 1-800-662-HELP.
Do You Drink Too Much?
The one or two glasses of wine you drink at the occasional meal when you dine out are no big deal, but what about the standard two glasses of wine you have with every dinner? Could this love of Chardonnay mean that you drink too much? Many people wonder the same thing – whether or not their drinking habits are over the top. To find out if your drinking habits are out of control, answer these questions honestly in this drinking quiz.
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