Anyone who has had “a few too many” drinks on a single occasion can probably guess by the hangover symptoms that drinking to excess is not the healthiest choice. The same can be said for overeating or any number of indulgences. But binge drinking in particular can have disastrous consequences far beyond a mere hangover, and the more you do it, the higher the likelihood of developing health problems, legal problems, or even alcohol addiction. While some people can curb their alcohol use easily, others find that it’s more difficult than they’d anticipated. Fortunately, binge drinking treatment is available for those who struggle to stop drinking on their own.
What is binge drinking?
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) defines binge drinking as having four or more drinks on one occasion for women, and five for men. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in six adults binge drinks four times a month, consuming about seven drinks per binge. While binge drinking is not in itself a sign of alcoholism, it does increase the risk of developing an alcohol addiction. Binge drinking also poses a number of short- and long-term health risks.
The negative consequences of binge drinking
The health risks associated with binge drinking span from safety issues to violent behaviors to chronic diseases. The poor coordination, poor judgement, and poor executive functioning resulting from a single binge drinking episode can result in negative consequences that last a lifetime. Potential problems from binge drinking include:
- Alcohol poisoning
- Falls
- Burns
- Blackouts
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Unplanned pregnancy
- Car accidents
- Legal problems
- Sexual assault
- Domestic violence
- Fetal alcohol syndrome
- Inflammation of the pancreas, stomach or liver
- High blood pressure
- Liver disease
- Neurological damage
- Memory and learning problems
Frequent and habitual binge drinking behavior increases the risk of developing an alcohol use disorder.
How to tell if you need binge drinking treatment
The best way to tell if you need help to stop binge drinking is to try on your own first. You can try abstaining from alcohol for a given time period or setting a limit on how much and how frequently you drink. Many people are able to cut back on their drinking with a few lifestyle changes focused on healthier ways of letting off steam and managing stress. If you find that you’re unable to interact comfortably with others without drinking, it may indicate a problem that requires treatment. These signs of binge drinking may also indicate that you could benefit from alcohol treatment:
- You always binge drink
- You black out frequently
- You keep trying to cut back but repeatedly fail to do so
- You experience health problems from your drinking
- You experience legal problems from your drinking
Alcohol treatment isn’t just for people whose lives have been turned upside down by their binge drinking. Emotional dissatisfaction with your drinking behaviors is enough reason to seek help. Whether you’re feeling guilty about your drinking or you’re concerned that excessive drinking is your default response to life’s stresses, alcohol treatment can be tailored to your specific needs. You may find that psychotherapy is enough to help you identify the reasons why you drink and develop coping skills that allow you to change your drinking behaviors. Or you may prefer the more structured support that an alcohol treatment facility provides.
Binge drinking treatment and alcohol rehabilitation at Alvarado Parkway
At Alvarado Parkway, we offer a range of alcohol rehab programs designed to help patients achieve lasting sobriety. We take a holistic approach, treating both the alcohol use disorder and any underlying conditions. Treatment options include:
- Inpatient treatment – highly structured, intensive round-the-clock care
- Partial hospitalization – several hours of intensive care during the day, night spent at home
- Intensive outpatient treatment – three hours of treatment per day for three days per week, nights spent at home
Every person is different, and we customize treatment plans for each individual. Most treatment plans involve some combination of the following:
- Detoxification
- Psychotherapy
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Trauma therapies
- Anxiety and stress management
- Trigger identification
- Distress tolerance
- Emotional regulation
- Coping skills
- Mindfulness
- Relaxation training
- Medication management
- Relapse prevention and outreach support
In many cases, people who binge drink do so in order to self-medicate and treat the symptoms of an underlying mental health issue such as anxiety or depression. At Alvarado Parkway, we offer dual diagnosis treatment, which addresses both the alcohol use disorder and the mental health disorder simultaneously.
Alcohol rehabilitation at Alvarado Parkway
Alvarado Parkway Institute is a full-service alcohol treatment center and rehab facility in San Diego. We have been helping people get sober and sober for over 35 years. If you’re struggling to live an alcohol-free life, our team of caring and compassionate providers can perform a full assessment to determine whether you might benefit from alcohol rehab. For more information, give us a call at 619-333-7050 today.
