For many people, binging happens on occasion – college graduation, a bachelorette party, or a trip out of town. However, binge drinking can have some serious consequences. Some of the binging’s immediate consequences include underage drinking, risky behavior, drinking, driving, or alcohol poisoning. Long-term effects can include health problems, substance abuse, financial problems, job loss, or addiction.
While some people believe that binging isn’t the same as addiction, many people who binge drink end up in alcohol addiction treatment centers. That’s because binge drinking can easily turn into a pattern that leads to dependency or addiction. Binging can have serious consequences on your health and mental state. If you have a problem with binge drinking, you may want to contact a rehab center in Laguna Beach to help with your condition.
Binge Drinking Increases Risky Behavior
On average, men can drink three to five alcoholic beverages every two hours without getting hammered. Women can drink two to four alcoholic beverages. Anything beyond that is considered binging. Once you cross the threshold of what your body can handle, you are in danger of engaging in risky behaviors. These behaviors may include illegal activities, drinking, and driving, illicit sexual activity, or overdose. Alcohol causes you to lose your inhibitions and engage in dangerous activities that you would not participate in if you were sober.
Health Problems
Constant excessive drinking wears down the body over time. You are likely to feel tired, depressed, and unmotivated to do anything on days that you binge drink on the surface. Beyond the daily wear and tear on the body, binge drinking can lead to health problems such as:
- Cirrhosis
- Heart disease
- Low immunity
- Arrhythmia
- Heart attacks
- Digestive problem
- Cancer
Many of the problems develop over time, so you are unaware of their existence until you experience significant problems. Getting help at a drug and alcohol detox center can be the first step in reversing some conditions or preventing others.
Binge Drinking Can Lead to Addiction
Binge drinking turns into a pattern, which almost inevitably turns into an addiction. As your brain develops a tolerance to alcohol, you binge larger amounts to feel the same way you did when you first started drinking. Your brain develops a dependency on alcohol to the point where you can’t go a day without it. This is full-blown alcohol addiction. If you cannot stop drinking, you may need to get help at a substance abuse treatment center.
Chronic Underage Drinking
Teenagers and young adults consume more alcohol than any other substance. Alcohol is easily accessible and relatively cheap compared to most drugs. Alcohol is also more socially acceptable, even among youth who know that they break the law when they drink. Teenagers do not have the mental capacity to handle alcohol or control their drinking. As such, they may develop a habit of underage drinking that they carry into adulthood.
Substance Abuse
Binge drinking can lead to substance abuse with multiple substances. Once you start drinking, you may no longer experience the high that comes from alcohol. As a result, you may turn to drugs such as marijuana, heroin, or cocaine to keep feeling high. This can lead to co-occurring disorders such as multiple drug problems and health disorders. If so, you need professional help to overcome multiple addictions.
Get Help for Addiction at Oceanfront Recovery
Don’t let binge drinking destroy your life. If you have a problem with substance abuse, get help at Oceanfront Recovery. We offer a comprehensive treatment program for all types of addictions. Call Oceanfront Recovery at [Direct to find out more about your treatment options. We can help you say no to alcohol for good.
