If you drink heavily, you probably already know that it’s dangerous. You likely already know that it’s not healthy for you physically or psychologically. However, this article is going to provide some important information on binge drinking that might make you feel compassion for yourself.
What Is Binge Drinking?
Binge drinking is defined as drinking four or more drinks during one event for females, and for male teens, binge drinking is consuming five or more drinks. Perhaps you started drinking in this way when you were a teen. Binge drinking is common among adolescents. In fact, there is an enormous amount of peer pressure as a young adult to drink – and to drink a lot! In fact, a recent study found that teens are binge drinking at incredibly high rates: The following breakdown resulted from the study:
- 45% of 9th graders admitted to binge drinking
- 50% of 10th graders admitted to binge drinking
- 58% of 11th graders admitted to binge drinking
- 62% of 12th graders admitted to binge drinking
Binge drinking might have been true for you and if it was, perhaps you continue to drink heavily. Part of drug abuse help is learning the dangers of drinking. Not to make you feel guilty, but rather to encourage you to stop being so hard on your body. To give your health a break and start to recover.
Medical Consequences
Besides, it probably goes without saying that drinking heavily is going to have some medical consequences. The body will begin to deteriorate in a variety of ways. For instance, long-term alcohol consumption can affect nearly every organ in the body. Heavy drinking can affect coordination, thiamine deficiency, and other forms of poor nutrition. Alcoholism can lead to illnesses having to do with the heart, such as hypertension and an irregular heartbeat. It can also cause impotence, irregular menstrual cycles, pancreatitis, stroke, confusion, and amnesia. Other illness associated with chronic heavy drinking include:
- Cancer
- Cirrhosis
- Dementia
- Depression
- Seizures
- Gout
- High blood Pressure
- Nerve Damage
- Alcohol Poisoning
- Addiction
- Heart Disease
Alcohol Affecting More Than Just the Body
Heavy alcohol consumption not only affects the health of the body; it also affects the stability of the mind. Approximately, 10%-15% of those with alcoholism will attempt to take their life. And those who are successful in their suicide attempt tend to have positive alcohol levels in their blood stream.
Of course, other dangers of heavy drinking include risky behavior, such as sexual activity and the risk of pregnancy. There is also the danger of developing an addiction or a chemical dependency to alcohol, if you don’t already have one. Sadly, many people don’t see anything wrong with drinking, partly because society sanctions drinking and sends the message that it’s okay. This only increases the probability of alcohol abuse and the risks mentioned above.
Drug Abuse Help
If you’re a heavy drinker, drug abuse help is out there for you. Although it might be difficult to admit that you need help with drinking, your health is worth putting the judgments of others aside. You might also want to know that most people who find themselves with an addiction will also feel the social stigma that addiction carries. In fact, this is one of the primary reasons that keep people from getting the drug abuse help they need.
Yet, when it comes down to it, your life is worth saving. If you’re a heavy drinker and you’re seeing the unhealthy effects of alcohol on your physical and mental well being, getting the help you need is more important than what others think. Saving your life, restoring your happiness, and rebuilding your self-love is worth the risks of judgment and social stigma. Living well is worth it!