Binge Drinking in Massachusetts

When Does Binge Drinking Become a Problem?

Binge drinking is such a big part of American culture that a lot of people don’t even think about it. That’s especially true in Massachusetts where almost a quarter of people binge drink each month.

The difference between alcoholism and binge drinking is often blurred, so many people don’t realize they have a problem until it’s too late. As a result, more and more people are seeking alcohol addiction treatment in Massachusetts because of binge drinking and the risks and side effects that go along with it.

Read on to learn more about this dangerous habit and what you can do to stay healthy.

What Is Binge Drinking?

The CDC considers binge drinking a serious public health problem. It’s defined as drinking until you have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or more. For men, this usually takes five drinks over two hours. For women, it only takes four.

For a lot of people in Massachusetts, binge drinking is a regular part of life. TV and movies show binge drinking as a fun part of nightlife and partying. As a result, it’s most common among adults from 18 to 34 years old. Men also tend to binge drink more than women.

Binge Drinking Risks

Binge drinking in Massachusetts might be a popular pastime, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t dangerous. In fact, it puts you at high risk for several bad health effects:

• Alcohol poisoning
• Heart disease and stroke
• Memory and learning problems
• Sexually transmitted infections
• Accidental pregnancy
• Accidental injury
• Car accidents
• Legal trouble

Most of these risks come because binge drinking affects your self-control. You might participate in dangerous activities or have unprotected sex when you wouldn’t normally. Of course, driving a car after binge drinking is really dangerous. From 2003-2012, 1,370 people died in Massachusetts because of drunk driving.

Alcoholism Vs. Binge Drinking

A lot of people who binge drink don’t have alcohol use disorder, but many do and don’t know it. That’s because a lot of people think that alcohol use disorder means physical symptoms like withdrawals, but that isn’t always the case. You could be suffering from alcohol use disorder if you:

• Can’t limit your drinking.
• Keep drinking even though it causes you problems.
• Keep having to drink more to feel the same effects.
• Want to drink so badly that you can’t think about anything else.

As you can see, binge drinking could cause a lot of these symptoms. For example, if you repeatedly binge drink and injure yourself, your alcohol use is causing you problems. Similarly, you might be hungover so much you frequently show up late for work.

Most importantly, binge drinking puts you at risk for developing alcohol use disorder. As you continue binge drinking, you might start experiencing some of the above symptoms. Binge drinking will cause more and more problems for you physically and in your personal and professional life.

Do I Have A Drinking Problem?

If your binge drinking has gotten serious enough that you’re asking whether you have a problem, then you probably do. This means your drinking has begun to have a negative impact on your life in one way or the other.

If you want to be sure, ask yourself a few questions:

• Do you drink because of stress?
• Do you feel anxious in certain situations unless you drink?
• Have you had any problems at work or school because of your drinking?
• Do you often drink until you black out?
• Have you been arrested for an alcohol-related offense like DUI?
• Do you ever feel guilty for drinking or like you’ll never be able to stop?

Answering yes to any of these questions may mean you have alcohol use disorder. Fortunately, it’s an illness that can be treated by medical and psychological professionals.

Find Alcohol Treatment In Massachusetts

If you or a loved one has a problem with binge drinking, you don’t have to go it alone. A targeted treatment plan can help you get control before alcohol takes more of a toll on your life. At Recovering Champions, treatment professionals work with you to address the specific problems you deal with and how they affect your body and your personal and work life. Call Recovering Champions today to learn about your options.