While this may not seem like a significant problem in comparison with other drug issues like prescription drug abuse, meth and synthetic drugs, the perils of binge drinking are real. Binge drinking means consuming large quantities of alcohol within a small period of time--at least five drinks in two hours. Ninety percent of the alcohol consumed by underage drinkers is taken in during binge drinking. The dangers of this are multi-faceted: not only do they make the user less alert and more susceptible to fatal accidents, it increases the chance of alcohol poisoning and overdose.
Additionally, it has a vastly negative impact on the still- developing teenage brain, causing lowered IQ and attention problems in adulthood.
Binge Alcohol Use And Alcoholism While drinking excessively does not always result in alcohol addiction, it plays a big part. At the very least, it signifies reckless, irresponsible behavior, a major trait in alcoholics who can't control their habits. Binge drinkers are seeking a wild rush and an escape from life--just like alcoholics.
Younger drinkers in particular lack experience with responsible drinking. It is therefore worrisome that binge drinking runs rampant among high school and college students across the United States. When it is part of the culture, it is difficult to escape.
One night of this behavior can turn into routine, which is how alcoholism develops (more than fourteen drinks in men or seven or more drinks in women per week). When the user builds up tolerance, he often turns to heavier drugs such as prescription opioids, heroin and cocaine. It is for this reason that alcohol is known as a gateway drug.
The Increase In Reckless Behavior People who binge drink are far more likely to engage in dangerous activity such as driving under the influence or getting into a car with a drunk driver. Binge drinking often results in blackouts, and the user may wake up with absolutely no recollection of what happened while he was under the influence of alcohol. Such situations are linked to date rape, teen pregnancies, and violent behavior.
Drinkers may wake up in a jail cell and have no idea what occurred. Treatment When alcoholism invades your life, shattering your dreams and tearing away the people you love, the vicious circle usually continues as most users rely on alcohol as an emotional crutch. Yet recovering addicts admit that they regret drowning out years of their lives and wish they addressed the problem earlier. sa
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