Binge Drinking

We have heard the term before and equate it with a person drinking 20-30 beers on a weekend. Binge drinking is defined with a lot less alcohol than what most people think.  Binge drinking is a pattern of drinking that brings a person’s BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration) to .08 or above.  This typically happens when men consume 5 or more drinks and women consume 4 or more drinks in 2 hours or less.

Surprisingly, occasional binge drinking can have health consequences.  However, the more often and the more alcohol people consume, the more problems they can experience.

Long-term problems may include:

Stomach ulcers                 Cardiovascular disease
Liver problems                 Neurological damage

Excessive drinking can lead to:

Memory lapses                 Mood changes                  Mental fuzziness
Disrupted sleep patterns                 Difficulty concentrating

1 in 6 U.S. adults binges drinks about 4 times a month, consuming about 8 drinks per binge. 

The average amount drunk during a bingeing episode was 7 drinks.  Binge drinking rates are higher among the 18 to 34-year-old adults while the over 65 age group had the lowest percentage.  However, seniors who binged did so more frequently than people of other ages; 5.5 times a month.

Alcohol does not discriminate.  People of any age, gender, or ethnicity can experience problems.  If you know someone who is experiencing problems with alcohol, contact Behavioral Health and Treatment Services at 641-683-6747.