Binge Drinking: Signs, Causes, & Treatments

What Is Binge Drinking?

Binge drinking is defined as the consumption of at least four or five drinks within two hours.² According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, a single drink is a 12-ounce can of beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine, or a 1.5-ounce shot of distilled spirits.³ Unfortunately, this pattern of drinking contributes to high-risk behavior, health complications, alcohol poisoning, and death.⁴

Binge drinking is defined as:²

• Consuming five drinks for adult males within two hours
• Consuming four drinks for adult females within two hours
• Occurring at least one day in the past month

How Common Is Binge Drinking?

Binge drinking affects all age groups and genders, with roughly 28.8% of male adults and 20.4% of females engaging in the behavior. Individuals aged 26 and older account for nearly 70% of all binge drinking episodes, but adolescents and seniors also report sessions of excessive alcohol consumption.^5,6,7

Signs of Binge Drinking

The signs of binge drinking differ. Some individuals may only binge drink to ‘let loose’ or have fun at social events. For others, binge drinking is a means of escape. This avoidant coping strategy provides temporary relief but often furthers the consequences of binge drinking.
Many binge drinkers consume drinks that include multiple units of alcohol. For example, one mixed drink may contain five units of alcohol, and a person may order two drinks without realizing they are on an ‘alcohol binge.’

Common binge drinking signs may include:⁸

• Drinking alcohol regularly
• Drinking excessively on weekends or holidays
• Engaging in risky behaviors while under the influence of alcohol
• Frequently drinking more alcohol than intended
• Having one or more memory lapses after drinking
• Ignoring the concerns of others

What Are the Effects of Binge Drinking?

The risks of binge drinking vary depending on various individual characteristics, such as height, weight, gender, and mental wellness. Prescription medications and frequency of binge drinking also impact the health complications of binge drinking. However, the long-term effects of binge drinking can be severe, even life-threatening.

Short-Term Health Risks

The short-term health risks of binge drinking are often acute, occurring immediately after drinking and lasting briefly. However, this does not mean the effects cannot be severe. Binge drinking just once could result in disastrous consequences, such as alcohol poisoning or an alcohol-related accident.

Short-term health risks of binge drinking may include:⁹

• Anger, frustration, hostility
• Decreased blood pressure
• Dehydration
• Depression
• Exhaustion
• Reduced attention span
• Reduced motor control and reaction times
• Slower breathing
• Birth complications, including miscarriage, stillbirth, or fetal alcohol syndrome
• Alcohol poisoning, which may entail vomiting, seizures, coma, or death

Long-Term Health Risks

Long-term health risks are those that tend to build up over time. Binge drinkers are at risk of numerous medical and mental health complications ranging from high blood pressure to major depressive disorder. The dangers of binge drinking present as the condition grows in intensity but are highly preventable by abstaining from alcohol or drinking responsibly.

Long-term health risks of binge drinking may include:⁹

• Diagnosable mental health or substance use disorder
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Increased cancer risk
• Issues sleeping
• Liver problems
• Loss of brain volume in younger individuals
• Social isolation/withdraw
• Stroke
• Weakened immune system
• Weight gain

What Causes Binge Drinking?

Why people binge drink differs, with some individuals seeking a fun time or to escape from reality. Some may intentionally engage in poor drinking habits, while others may not know how to moderate their alcohol consumption. In either case, binge drinking is still a dangerous practice. Individuals struggling with mental health or substance use disorders are particularly vulnerable, as maladaptive thinking and coping skills may direct one to such behavior.

Possible causes of binge drinking include:

• Alcohol is readily available
• Celebrating
• Finding a means of escape
• Mental health or substance use disorder
• Needing to drink for the buzz
• Playing drinking games
• Rebelling from authority
• Relapse after a period of sobriety
• Seeing others consuming alcohol
• Socializing with friends or meeting new people
• Struggling with loss
• Testing one’s tolerance
• Wanting to have fun

When Does Binge Drinking Become a Problem?

For many, one drink leads to another–the time is fun, and things escalate. Conversely, someone may have a bad day and ‘drink it off.’ However, alcohol consumption may steadily progress into more frequent binge drinking episodes. Although alcohol abstinence is best, guidelines are available to help determine the parameters of mild to moderate drinking.

Binge drinking may pose a problem in cases such as:¹⁰

• A female having more than seven drinks per week or more than three drinks per occasion
• A male having more than 14 drinks per week or more than four drinks per occasion
• Seniors having more than seven drinks per week or more than three drinks per occasion

How Is Binge Drinking Treated?

Treatments that address problematic binge drinking while concurrently exploring maladaptive beliefs and thoughts surrounding alcohol are ideal. Working on other mental health or substance use disorders simultaneously is also beneficial. The severity of binge drinking episodes primarily determines the type of treatment required. Residential or outpatient settings are available to help manage binge drinking or alcohol-related habits.

Residential Treatment

Residential (inpatient) treatment is the most comprehensive. Patients live on-site throughout rehab and receive 24/7 monitoring, individual and group therapy sessions, educational classes, activities, and medication management (as appropriate). Upon discharge, professionals recommend ongoing outpatient therapy and support groups.

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment may be conducted one-on-one with a counselor, in a group setting, or as part of an intensive outpatient program (IOP). Individual sessions offer opportunities to explore the issues contributing to binge drinking behavior. The client and therapist work together toward specific goals, often focusing on behavioral, thought, and belief modification.

Individual Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a highly recommended treatment for binge drinking. CBT explores how clients’ thoughts, personal beliefs, and values impact their emotions and behaviors. For example, an individual who binge drinks may believe, “I like to binge drink but am not an alcoholic.” Therefore, they allow themselves to binge drink. Therapists and clients work together to adapt their beliefs, thoughts, and behaviors to create a healthier outcome.

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is also beneficial when addressing binge drinking. DBT incorporates mindfulness, helping to keep individuals focused on the present. Practicing mindfulness when consuming alcohol may allow individuals to prevent future binge drinking episodes.

Medication

Not all cases of binge drinking will require medication, and any prescribed most commonly address severe diagnosed alcohol use disorder. Antabuse (disulfiram) discourages alcohol consumption by interfering with the degradation of alcohol, leaving those who drink feeling ill. Vivitrol is also used to curb cravings, helping reduce the risk of relapse. Take any prescribed medications as directed by a qualified physician.

How to Overcome Binge Drinking

Living with binge drinking will have its ups and downs. Keep in mind that this is natural. It is a normal human tendency to begin considering a vice as a coping mechanism when times are tough. Recovery yields positive outcomes when you are intentional and consistent with the process.

Though treatment for issues with binge drinking is ideal, many techniques may reduce urges and incidents of excessive alcohol consumption. If you prefer to drink occasionally, intend to do so moderately and safely. Plan for events and consider who will help hold you accountable. Moderation can help you prevent consequences that can happen as a result of binge drinking.

Below are tips for addressing binge drinking behavior:

• Attend support groups
• Distance yourself from triggering persons, places, and things
• Engage in healthier activities and hobbies
• Journal or partake in creative expression
• Consider trying a meditation practice
• Start seeing a therapist
• Create a supportive social network

Final Thoughts

The risks and dangers of binge drinking are numerous, but practicing safe alcohol consumption can help prevent health complications, injury, or death. If you or a loved one are struggling with binge drinking habits or alcohol use disorder, help is available to aid you in recovery.