When it comes to alcohol, there are several stages of alcohol addiction. Drinking a glass of alcohol a day is considered moderate use. Yet, for some people, that is not the problem. You may wait for the weekend and then drink a six-pack while you are watching the game. You may even wait all week for these nights. The dangers of binge drinking are numerous and it is important to know before you do lasting damage to your health. Whether you have done it one time or you have done it many times over, it is critical for you to know what is at risk every time you do this. At Bayview Recovery, we have the tools you need to avoid these high-risk situations for good.
What Is Binge Drinking?
Binge drinking occurs when you drink a lot of alcohol in a short amount of time. The National Institutes on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism state that binge drinking occurs when a person drinks five or more alcoholic drinks as a male or four or more alcoholic drinks as a woman within a span of two hours. This is especially common on college campuses and among younger people. Are you binge drinking? If so, you could be putting your health on the line. What dangers of binge drinking are you exposing yourself to?
The Most Common Dangers of Binge Drinking
When you binge drink, you are putting a significant amount of alcohol into your body in a short amount of time. Your liver and kidneys cannot keep up with that amount. They simply cannot remove the toxins and chemicals from your body fast enough. As a result, those toxins flow through your body to your organs. Whether you do this just one time or often, there are numerous dangers of binge drinking to consider:
- It can damage your heart. This includes developing alcoholic cardiomyopathy, a weakening of the heart muscle that makes it impossible for your heart to pump enough blood through the body.
- Cancer of the throat, esophagus, and mouth are very common even in those who binge drink just a handful of times. You can also increase your risks of liver and breast cancers.
- Brain damage that impacts cognitive function can happen after just one instance of binge drinking. It can create long-term memory loss, inability to learn new skills, and damaged language skills.
In addition to this, you can develop an addiction. Addiction can be devastating because, without proper addiction treatment, it can shorten your lifespan.
What to Do Right Now if You Are Binge Drinking
There are ways to curb your binge drinking. You do not have to be a victim of the dangers of binge drinking. Instead, be aggressive. Take the proper steps by reaching out to Bayview Recovery. Let our team help you with programs such as:
- Intensive outpatient therapy (IOP)
- Partial hospitalization treatment (PHP)
- Outpatient drug treatment
- Extended care program
- Men’s rehab programs
- Women’s rehab programs
There is help available to you. If you are binge drinking and ready to change, let our team be there for you.
Are You Ready for Help? Call Bayview Recovery Today
If the dangers of binge drinking are becoming your life, now is the time to take action. There is no benefit to putting off getting the care you need to protect your future. Let our team work closely with you to discuss the treatment options available to you. There is help available for those who are ready for addiction treatment. We are here for you when you call 855.478.3650 for support. Do not let addiction control your life.