HEALTH
What is defined as binge drinking? How many drinks per day are considered excessive?
A little tipple with your evening meal wouldn’t constitute as binge drinking but the units would certianly add up over a full week.
Binge drinking is the most common form of excessive alcohol use in the US. In terms of hard number, it is defined as consuming five or more alcoholic drinks for men, or four or more drinks for women.
The CDC has published this data on it website:
- One in six US adults binge drinks, with 25% doing so at least weekly.
- Over 90% of US adults who drink excessively report binge drinking.
Exceeding these limits regularly is excessive drinking and is associated with an increased risk of various health issues, including liver disease, cardiovascular problems, and alcohol addiction.
Binge drinking is most common amongst young people between the ages of 18 and 34. These people are the most likely to have nights out or to be involved in social situations which likely include heavy drinking.
It isn’t restricted to young people. A study by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), a federal research institute found people in older age categories are binge drinking more than ever. People aged 35 to 50 were reported at their highest level, to 29 percent from 23 percent in 2012.
“Substance use is not limited to teens and young adults, and these data help us understand how people use drugs across the lifespan,” NIDA Director Nora Volkow said in a press release.
The major risks associated with binge drinking
- Accidental harm like car accidents, slips and falls, burns, and alcohol overdose.
- Acts of violence
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Unplanned pregnancies and adverse pregnancy results, such as miscarriage and stillbirth
- Health issues stemming from fetal alcohol exposure
- Long-term illnesses like hypertension, stroke, heart disease, and liver disease
- Cancer
- Difficulties with memory and learning.
What is the difference to excessive drinking
Excessive drinking refers to the consumption of alcohol in quantities that are beyond guidelines for moderate and responsible drinking. This will include binge drinking but isn’t restricted to it.