Understanding Binge Drinking and Alcohol Addiction: Risks and Recovery

“People who binge drink are more likely to develop alcohol use disorder, particularly if they continue to binge drink even if it causes them problems,” Dr. Koob says. The number of women who binge drink has steadily increased over the past decade, Dr. Koob says. Our state-specific resource guides offer a comprehensive overview of drug and alcohol addiction treatment options available in your area. Teenagers and even adults may also binge drink to fit in with peers who are engaging in the Sobriety same behavior. The term “binge” was originally adopted to describe a pattern of problematic drinking characterized by heavy use followed by a period of abstinence.

• Some research even shows that the habit is increasing among older adults.
• “These numbers can vary based on the person’s metabolism, size, and weight,” he says.
• If you or a loved one is struggling with binge drinking or alcohol dependency, Pyramid Healthcare is here to help.
• Even older adults can overestimate their tolerance and wind up drinking far more than they can handle.
• Teenage binge drinkers are about three times more likely to develop alcohol use disorder.

What Are The Signs & Symptoms Of Binge Drinking?

One side effect of binge drinking is alcohol poisoning, a life-threatening condition with symptoms like vomiting, seizures, coma and even death. Binge drinking means consuming a large amount of alcohol in a short time (typically exceeding 4 drinks for women, 5 for men in 2 hours) to get intoxicated. Seeking interventions for both PTSD and alcohol use disorder is crucial for recovery. Professional help can guide individuals through the recovery process, addressing both conditions concurrently.

Understanding Alcohol Drinking Patterns

Binge drinking can be treated with a home detox, a medically-assisted detox at rehab or an outpatient clinic, and therapy. To experiences the benefits of all of these options, you could go to inpatient rehab and pursue a personalised treatment plan to recover from binge drinking. In fact, it could be the case that the person who can handle their drink better has become tolerant to alcohol, which means they are at an increased risk of developing a physical dependence or addiction. It is true that binge drinking is more dangerous when stronger alcoholic drinks are being consumed. However, plenty of people struggle with binge drinking even though they stick to drinks with few units such as alcopops. As hard as it can be to learn about the negative effects of binge drinking, it’s an essential tool for prevention.

Data on Excessive Alcohol Use

For students who binge drink, getting drunk is often the main goal. These include dizziness, loss of coordination, diarrhea, vomiting, lack of judgment, or even passing out. This involves a short assessment conducted with a suitably qualified addiction treatment practitioner. Many of our helpline representatives are binge drinking effects themselves in recovery, so we know exactly what you or a loved one are going through.

At the NuView Treatment Center, we offer comprehensive treatment plans to overcome binge drinking and its related health effects. Our evidence-based treatment programs focus on addressing both physical and psychological aspects of binge drinking for lasting recovery and sobriety. The severity of withdrawal in binge drinkers depends on the individual’s baseline health, the frequency and duration of the binging episodes, the amount of alcohol consumed, and the presence of medical issues. All binge drinkers do not experience alcohol withdrawal upon stopping use. If you or a loved one is struggling with binge drinking or alcohol dependency, Pyramid Healthcare is here to help. Contact us today to learn more about our treatment programs and begin your journey to recovery.

After completing an MSc in chemistry, she realized she would rather write about science than do it. She learned how to edit scientific papers in a stint as a chemistry copyeditor, before moving on to a medical writer role at a healthcare company. Writing for doctors and experts has its rewards, but Clarissa wanted to communicate with a wider audience, which naturally led her to freelance health and science writing. Her work has also appeared in Medscape, HealthCentral and Medical News Today. This article is for informational purposes only and is not meant to offer medical or mental health advice. The binge-drinking threshold is lower for women because their bodies generally have more fat and less water than men of the same weight.