Alcohol consumption is high for the top 10 percent of Americans, according to a Washington Post article. These individuals consume approximately “74 alcoholic drinks per week.” This astounding number means that these individuals drink about 10 a day. However, some people may binge drink this amount in a few days instead of spreading it out over the whole week. There are definitely many risks associated with consuming alcohol, especially this amount, and the dangers of binge drinking are even greater.
Alcohol Consumption By The Numbers
Unfortunately, alcohol consumption is a growing problem in the United States among young people. When it comes to consuming large quantities of alcohol, teens and young adults are at the top of the list. Young people may not fully understand the dangers of binge drinking. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the following is true of young people and alcohol consumption:
- Approximately 30 percent of teenagers have tried drinking at least once by 15 years old.
- Approximately 58 percent of 18-year old teens have tried at least one drink.
- 7.1 million teens and young adults, ages 12 – 20, said they drank more than a few sips of alcohol in the past month.
In addition to these startling statistics, 860,000 young people claim to have participated in binge drinking in the past month.
What Is Binge Drinking?
Binge drinking involves drinking an excessive amount of alcohol in a relatively short amount of time. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism states that excessive drinking brings the blood alcohol concentration to 0.08 grams or higher. For most people, this means consuming four or five drinks in a 2-hour period.
What Are The Dangers Of Binge Drinking?
Drinking so much alcohol in a short amount of time is dangerous for people of all ages. For one thing, alcohol lowers inhibitions and leads to people making reckless choices. For example, if someone binge drinks and then attempts to drive, the risk for an accident is high. Furthermore, other unintentional accidents may occur such as stumbling down steps, falling in the road, or getting hurt in the shower. Other people may make unwise choices to engage in sexual activity that they otherwise wouldn’t have done. This can lead to sexually transmitted diseases. Some people are a victim of sexual abuse when binge drinking occurs. The dangers of binge drinking also involve your health. Some of the results of binge drinking include: Various cancers such as breast, throat, esophagus, and colon
- Liver damage
- High blood pressure
- Stroke
- Heart disease
- Memory problems
When people binge drink, there is always the risk that they may get alcohol poisoning.
Welcome to Destinations For Teens
Whether you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol, marijuana, meth, or heroin, Destination for Teens is a place of healing. We understand how substance abuse can affect the whole family, and our mission is to provide healing for all. We offer a variety of evidence-based therapy regimens to help your teen. In addition, our center provides a broad range of treatment options, such as:
- Residential Treatment Program
- Partial Hospitalization Treatment Program
- Outpatient Treatment Program
- Intensive Outpatient Treatment Program
Meet our compassionate team and let them personalize a treatment plan just right for you and the entire family. Don’t let substance abuse control your life. Now that you know the dangers of binge drinking, you can overcome this problem by going to quality drug rehab. Contact us at 877.466.0620, and we’ll get you on the road to recovery. Citations Washington Post, https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2014/09/25/think-you-drink-a-lot-this-chart-will-tell-you/ National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/underage-drinking