How Can I Stop Binge Drinking: Its Impact and Ways to Stop

What Is Binge Drinking?

Binge drinking is when someone drinks a large amount of alcohol in a short amount of time, and this behavior can have some serious consequences. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, someone with a blood alcohol concentration of .08% or more is considered to be a binge drinker. The number of drinks also factors into this equation — four drinks for women or five drinks for men in less than two hours is binge drinking. The 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that 21.7% of people 12 or older and 28.7% of adults 18 to 25 years old reported binge drinking in the past month. If you’re part of this statistic or think you might be, you might wonder now how can I stop binge drinking?

For many people who have a problem with binge drinking, the best way to get help is to reach out to the experts at a top alcohol rehab center like Muse Treatment. We don’t just offer medical treatment for alcohol addiction — we take a whole-person approach to caring for our patients with therapy, medicine, and alternative treatments. Together, we’re able to help people overcome addiction to alcohol and get on the road to lasting recovery.

 

 

Is There a Connection Between Binge Drinking and Alcohol Abuse?

Binge drinking and alcohol abuse can often go hand in hand, depending on how often someone binge drinks. According to the Mayo Clinic, one of the risk factors of alcohol use disorder is frequent binge drinking, leading to alcohol addiction and the symptoms that occur from that. A main difference between binge drinking and alcohol abuse is that alcohol abuse is always categorized under substance use disorder, while binge drinking only sometimes falls under the same category. Alcohol abuse is categorized as a chronic condition marked by the inability to control drinking, even after negative consequences, as well as increased tolerance to alcohol. 

When someone continuously binge drinks, it can turn into alcohol addiction as their tolerance increases, requiring them to drink even more for the same effect. Ignoring the symptoms of binge drinking can lead to alcohol addiction — and that is a dangerous disease that comes with dangerous and even life-threatening symptoms and problems.

 

What Are the Signs I May Be Binge Drinking?

Some people might think they are just having fun, but continuous drinking that makes someone extremely intoxicated could be a warning that they are binge drinking. Some of the signs and symptoms of binge drinking include: 

• Lack of muscle coordination and imbalanced judgment, speech, vision, and hearing.
• Not knowing if you’re in danger or not.
• Impaired self-control and increased impulsivity.
• Impaired reasoning skills and memory.
• Difficulty concentrating. 

Although binge drinking isn’t as severe as alcohol addiction, there are short-term health effects on a person’s speech, coordination, and balance. They could also become sleepy, seem overly aggressive, or begin vomiting. Chronic or long-term conditions related to binge drinking include high blood pressure, a weakened immune system, dementia, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (a neurological disorder caused by a lack of vitamin B1), and digestive system issues. 

 

 

How Can I Stop Binge Drinking?

If someone struggles with binge drinking, they might ask themselves how can I stop binge drinking? Treatment is their best option for successfully quitting this dangerous practice. Some recommendations if you want to stop binge drinking include:

• Going to an alcohol rehab and getting treatment and counseling. 
• Avoiding triggers by staying away from people, places, and specific situations that might make you want to binge drink. 
• Finding healthier outlets for stress and emotions instead of drinking alcohol. 
• Removing alcohol from your home so you’re not tempted to drink. 
• Taking medication prescribed by a doctor or addiction treatment specialist to help you handle the side effects of not drinking. 

In addition to these recommendations, people who are serious about quitting binge drinking could benefit from going to a support group like Alcoholics Anonymous. According to Alcoholics Anonymous, its members are people who have admitted to alcohol abuse and want to get better. You don’t have to be in a specific religion or denomination to participate because chapters are available nationwide. These support groups also form an important option for ongoing support and aftercare after patients have completed addiction treatment at a top alcohol rehab like Muse Treatment.

 

Learn How You Can Stop Binge Drinking at Muse Treatment

When drinking becomes a problem, they might be wondering how to answer a big question: How can I stop binge drinking? This is when a Los Angeles addiction rehab like Muse Treatment can help by offering advice on starting the addiction treatment process and learning how to achieve a healthier, better future. We offer many treatment options, including outpatient and inpatient alcohol rehab programs, dual diagnosis treatment for an addiction and mental health disorder, and medication-assisted treatment to make the alcohol detox process safer and more comfortable. Not getting help for a binge drinking problem can result in alcohol abuse and addiction, so take action today. Call us today at 800-426-1818 to find out how we can help.

 

External Sources

• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism — Binge Drinking
• Mayo Clinic — Alcohol Use Disorder
• Alcoholics Anonymous — What is Alcoholics Anonymous

 

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