Find Local Treatment Options
Call 888-646-0635 to speak with an alcohol or drug abuse counselor.Who Answers?

The Dangers of Binge Drinking & When to Consider Getting Treatment

As one of the more dangerous forms of recreational alcohol use, those who engage in binge drinking do so for one primary reason: to get drunk, quickly. Technically speaking, binge drinking entails consuming five or more drinks in two hours for men, or four or more drinks for women in the same amount of time. While this practice will most definitely get you drunk, it also strains the body’s systems in harmful ways.

According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, within the United States, binge drinking exists as the most common form of excessive alcohol use. Though popular it may be, understanding the dangers that come with binge drinking can help you take steps to ensure your safety and well-being, both now and in the future.

Alcohol’s Effects

Alcohol’s primary effect works to slow chemical activities throughout the brain and central nervous system. It does this by increasing GABA neurotransmitter output, which slows cell activities in the brain. Alcohol also decreases glutamate neurotransmitter output, which reduces electrical activity in the brain.

These combined effects account for the feelings of calm and gradual loss of focus and coordination that occur when drinking. With binge drinking, alcohol’s effects cause an abrupt and drastic shift in overall brain activity to take place.

Not sure if your insurance will help cover your treatment costs? Call our helpline at 888-646-0635Who Answers? for more information.

Dangers of Binge Drinking

Injury Risks

Dangers of Binge Drinking

Binge drinking increases your risk of getting in a car accident.

The effects of binge drinking impair a person’s perceptions, reasoning, emotions and coordination within a short period of time. These changes greatly increase the likelihood of accidents and injury. According to the University of Rochester Medical Center, the most common injury-related risks associated with binge drinking include:

  • Car accidents
  • Drowning
  • Domestic abuse
  • Child abuse
  • Suicide/murder
  • Seizures

Alcoholism

While the occasional bout of binge drinking doesn’t necessarily predispose a person to alcohol addiction, in large quantities, alcohol produces certain aftereffects that make the brain and body more susceptible to physical dependence and eventual addiction. Over time, the effects of binge drinking wear down chemical-producing brain cells making them less sensitive to alcohol’s effects.

Before long, a person will have to consume larger quantities to experience the desired “drunk” effects of binge drinking. These developments set the stage for alcoholism to take shape.

Overdose

As a powerful central nervous system depressant, the effects of binge drinking can easily shut down one or more of the body’s major systems when large enough quantities are consumed. According to the University of Alabama at Birmingham, once a person’s blood alcohol level reaches a certain point, drastic drops in body temperature and/or the shutdown of the body’s respiratory system can quickly result in overdose and even death.

Treatment Considerations

The aftereffects of frequent binge drinking gradually compromise the brain’s overall functional capacity making the need for alcohol a necessity for normal functioning. Once a person reaches this point, the need for professional treatment help increases with each passing day.

If you suspect you or someone you know may be succumbing to the effects of binge drinking and need help finding treatment that meets your needs, please feel free to call our toll-free helpline at 888-646-0635Who Answers? to speak with one of our addictions specialists.

How Hangover Episodes May Be a Sign of Developing Alcohol Dependence

More Rehab Centers Resources

Benefits of Local Rehab Centers

rehab centers

There are local rehab centers, which offer programs for the treatment of various drug and alcohol addictions as well as offering psychological counseling services. Drug and alcohol addictions are a huge challenge to try to overcome, however local rehab centers are able provide a safe, medically supervised environment for those who are struggling with addictions…..

Continue reading

Is Faith Necessary for Rehab?

It seems that every rehab center or service is faith based. Many of the community based programs are as well. It is important to ask the question of whether faith is necessary for rehab and recovery. In order to answer this you need to understand exactly what faith provides to people and how it is….

Continue reading

How do You Compare Rehabs for a Prescription Drug Addiction?

It doesn’t matter if you are seeking help for yourself or a loved one, you understand that a prescription drug addiction is serious business. You realize that this could worsen over time, which is why you are seeking assistance right now. Here is the good thing: there are many rehabs for prescription drug addiction. This….

Continue reading

Benefits of Using Rehab Centers for Addiction Treatment

Addiction treatment can help you overcome your addiction!

Drug and alcohol addiction is a dangerous condition that can ultimately lead to death if left untreated. You wouldn’t wait to treat a deadly disease such as cancer but yet everyday thousands of drug addicts and alcoholics wait to treat their addiction because they think that life may get better on its own. Unfortunately, sometimes….

Continue reading

Drug Rehab and Pregnancy: Helping You Prepare for the Future

Being pregnant is always a little scary, but when you’re addicted to drugs and alcohol and pregnant, it can feel overwhelming. You don’t want to hurt the baby, but there’s so much conflicting information out   there, it can be hard to know what to do. With some states now passing laws that allow prosecution of….

Continue reading

Tips for Finding Local Detox Centers

local drug treatment

Recognizing that there is an addiction present is the first and most important step to reclaiming life. A close second would be willingness or eagerness to seek help for said addiction. With those two important paces taken, the next logical thing to do would be to find a local detox center that can provide immediate….

Continue reading

10 Lies that Addicts tell their Loved Ones

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, lying is a part of addiction. It is one of the key characteristics used to identify an addict from someone who is merely dependent on a drug such as prescription medication. Most addicts lie to themselves and they lie to their loved ones. These are some of….

Continue reading

Long-Term Effects of Alcoholism

You may spend time making excuses for your drinking. Yes, you get strong cravings to drink, but that is just your stress talking. Everyone needs a glass of wine or a glass of scotch to take the edge off, right? Yes, every once in a while when you drink, you just can’t stop, but that’s….

Continue reading

Still can't find the help you are looking for?Get Started Now
Accepted Insurances / View the full list
For inquiries call 888-646-0635 Who Answers?

Accepted Insurances Does My Insurance
Cover This?

Calls to the general helpline will be answered by a paid advertiser. By calling the helpline you agree to our terms of use.

I NEED TO TALK TO SOMEONE NOWI NEED TO TALK TO SOMEONE NOW888-646-0635
Who Answers?

Pin It on Pinterest

Shares