Alcoholism is a severe illness that affects many people across our country, but did you know that one of the most serious forms of alcohol use disorder (AUD) is not addiction? In fact, a devastating form of habitual alcohol abuse is considered a common form of behavior. CDC officials warn that binge drinking (repetitive and excessive drinking in a short time) is not only damaging to human health but also potentially fatal. Here is a closer look at the binge drinking phenomenon and why it poses such a great threat to people.
What is Binge Drinking?
Simply put, binge drinking occurs when a man consumes five alcoholic drinks or a woman consumes four alcoholic drinks in the time span of 2 hours. On the surface, this habit doesn’t appear very harmful. In fact, groups of experts do not recognize binge drinking as a significant issue due to the fact that 80% of people who engage in this habit do not suffer from alcoholism. Given this information, you will not be surprised to hear that this problem has not lessened in a period of 15 years.
Experts warn that people who engage in binge drinking are putting themselves at risk for multiple incidents and health problems including:
- erratic and violent behavior (including road rage and spousal abuse)
- contraction of STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) like HIV/AIDS
- unplanned pregnancies
- liver and heart damage
- life-threatening illnesses like cancer
While not recognized as an illness like addiction, binge drinking does fall under the category of AUDs (alcohol use disorders). Individuals who suffer from an AUD will have a difficult time controlling alcohol consumption and can experience health problems caused by long-term alcohol consumption or withdrawal symptoms (if separated from the substance).
Statistics
In the year 2009, national surveys revealed the following statistics about binge drinking:
- 15.2% of Americans have reported binge drinking
- 60.9% of high school students who consume alcohol (recorded at 41.8%) participate in binge drinking (with females exceeding the normal amount of four drinks)
Likewise, according to the same survey, binge drinking habits are more common amongst:
- 18-24 year old adults (25.6%)
- 25-34 year old adults (22.5%)
- Males (20.7%)
- White people (16%)
(CDC officials have warned that this information continuously changes due to the fact that most people do not always provide adequate details about alcoholism and alcohol consumption).
Alcohol does not have control over your life. You do. Are you suffering from a substance abuse disorder or suffer from addiction? Do you have a friend or family member suffering from these illnesses? If you do, get in touch with Asana Recovery. Counselors and healthcare experts can walk you through every step of the detox and withdrawal process and help guide you to a happier, healthier, and freer lifestyle. While it might not be an easy road to travel, we promise to help you every step of the way. Take the first step to stay fit, healthy, and safe.
The time for you to take back control of your life is now. If you are interested in one of our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how to overcome your alcohol addiction troubles today.
