Binge drinking is dangerous for health

Individuals consider alcohol as an upper or a downer depending on the reason they are drinking. And some times, one drink leads to another and another; and before you know it, you are on a drinking binge.

Binge drinking in the United States is defined as the consumption of 5 or more drinks in a row by men; or 4 or more drinks in a row by women; at least once in the previous 2 weeks. Heavy binge drinking includes 3 or more such episodes in 2 weeks.

Social drinking has becoming an accepted norm. The young start imitating their elders; experimenting starts early. 82.8% of adults who drink today admit to having their first drink of alcohol before age 21.

Effect of alcohol on mind

Alcohol is a depressant, which slows the function of the central nervous system and blocks messages that are trying to get to the brain; altering the individual’s perceptions, emotions, movement, vision, and hearing. In very small amounts, alcohol can help an individual to feel relaxed and reduce anxiety.

When the quantity of alcohol consumed increases, the result is intoxication. Then individuals may stagger, lose coordination, and slur speech. There is a tendency towards confusion and disorientation. Individuals react differently to alcohol, while some become very friendly and talkative, others become very aggressive and angry. They may act totally out of character. Reaction time also tends to slow down.

Binge drinking is as good as poisoning

Consuming large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time can cause alcohol poisoning. The first symptom of alcohol poisoning is usually violent vomiting. Extreme sleepiness, extreme confusion, low body temperature, bluish or pale skin, unconsciousness, difficulty breathing, dangerously low blood sugar, and seizures. It can also result in death.

Binge drinking has social, physical and mental implications.

Teen drinkers are more likely to get fat or have health problems, too. A study by the University of Washington found those who started having 5 or more drinks in a row regularly at age 13 were more likely to be overweight or have high blood pressure by age 24 than their non-drinking peers. Those who continue drinking heavily into adulthood risk damage to their organs, such as the liver, heart, and brain.

Teens who drink are usually more sexually active and tend to have unsafe and unprotected sex. It can result in pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases, that can change or even end lives.

The risk of injury even fatally, is higher when under the influence of alcohol. Alcohol use among male teenagers was related to one half of all drowning deaths.

Use of alcohol greatly increases the chance that a teen will be involved in a car crash, homicide, or suicide.

Binge drinking impairs judgment, so drinkers are more likely to take risks they might not have when sober. They may drive drunk and injure themselves or others. Not just driving, even walking is more difficult while intoxicated. In 2000, roughly one third of pedestrians 16 and older who were killed in traffic accidents were intoxicated.

Binge drinkers have a harder time in school and are more likely to drop out. Drinking disrupts sleep patterns. This can make it harder to stay awake and concentrate during the day. They struggle with studies and poor academic performance. Sports performance also gets affected to some extent because of the disturbed co-ordination.

Drinking can affect personality; making individuals angry or moody, resulting in friends drifting away.