What’s The Big Deal About Binge Drinking?
We’ve all heard the term “binge drinking,” but what does it actually mean, and why is it something we talk about?
What is binge drinking?
It’s not about having a couple of drinks with friends; it’s about drinking a lot of alcohol in a short space of time. Binge drinking is often defined as drinking more than 6 units of alcohol in a single session for women, and more than 8 units for men. To put that into perspective, that’s roughly three pints of strong lager for a man, or two large glasses of wine for a woman.
There are many reasons why people binge drink. Some people do it to cope with stress or anxiety, while others do it to fit in with their friends. Some may simply enjoy the feeling of being drunk and see it as a way to let loose. Social pressure can play a big role, especially for young people. The idea that you need to drink to have fun or be part of a group can be powerful.
More than just a hangover
The most obvious short term effect of binge drinking is feeling drunk or hungover. This can include slurred speech, poor coordination and judgment, and difficulty concentrating. You might also experience memory loss, commonly known as a “blackout.”
But the effects go beyond just feeling unwell the next day. Binge drinking can increase your risk of accidents and injuries, such as falls, car crashes, and even drowning. It can also lead to risky behaviour, like unprotected sex, which can increase the risk of sexually transmitted infections.
Alcohol poisoning is another serious risk, where you can end up in hospital. This occurs when you drink so much alcohol that your body can’t process it quickly enough. Symptoms include confusion, vomiting, seizures, slow breathing, and loss of consciousness. In severe cases, alcohol poisoning can be fatal.
A serious impact on health
Regular binge drinking can have a significant impact on your long term health.
On the physical side of things, binge drinking increases your risk of developing serious health conditions, such as liver disease, heart disease, stroke, and several types of cancer. It can also weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to infections.
Binge drinking can also negatively affect your mental health. It can contribute to depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems. It can also disrupt your sleep patterns, leading to fatigue and difficulty concentrating.
Affecting personal and social life
Beyond the health risks, binge drinking can have serious social and personal consequences. It can damage relationships with family and friends, lead to problems at school or work, and even result in legal issues. It can also impact your finances, as regularly buying large amounts of alcohol can be expensive.
While specific figures can fluctuate year to year, there are lots of facts and figures that show the impact of alcohol misuse on communities and healthcare services.
Making informed choices
The aim of this blog isn’t to tell you what to do but to provide you with information so you can make informed choices. Understanding the risks associated with binge drinking is important.
Making small changes, like setting limits for yourself or choosing non-alcoholic drinks, can make a big difference.
If you’re concerned about your own drinking habits, or someone else’s, there is support available. There are many organisations that can offer free information, advice, and support related to alcohol misuse and binge drinking.
Not sure where to start? Talk with Meic! The Meic helpline is available for children and young people across Wales to get free information, advice, and advocacy support from a friendly, trained helpline adviser advocate. Open from 8 am to midnight every day, you can phone, WhatsApp message, text, or chat with us online.
