We live in a world where college students routinely participate in underage drinking. The same stands for teenagers who drink as a rite of passage to fit in with the “in-crowd.” While some young people are able to drink once and realize it’s not safe or legal, others fall into the trap of alcohol.
At the end of the day, alcohol is an addictive substance that can be fatal if consumed in too high of a quantity too quickly. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, excessive drinking causes more than 4,300 deaths among underage youth.
What starts as a few beers here and there can turn into binge drinking every weekend with friends. Since alcohol is seen as the cool social thing to do, teenagers and college students are at a high risk of suffering from binge drinking that can eventually turn into alcohol dependency.
When alcohol dependency takes hold, alcohol abuse treatment is often required.
What Is Binge Drinking?
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, there are various factors that can be used to determine whether or not someone is a binge drinker. According to the Institute, binge drinking is classified as:
- The consumption of alcohol in a set timeframe that raises one’s blood alcohol concentration to a 0.08 level at least once a month.
- Drinking of five or more alcoholic drinks by males at least one day a month.
- Consuming four or more alcoholic drinks by females at least one day per month.
Binge drinkers typically consume a great amount of alcohol in just a few hours. Binge drinking can lead to all sorts of accidental injuries and can cause serious health issues like cancer, liver disease, and mood swings.
What’s even more dangerous is the fact that binge drinking becomes a habit and, over time, binge drinking turns into extremely heavy drinking, and then alcohol dependency.
When Binge Drinking Turns Into Alcohol Dependency
Anyone who regularly engages in binge drinking is more likely to be a heavy drinker. Heavy drinkers are at a much higher risk of developing alcohol dependency. Alcohol addiction is a serious problem that can cause withdrawal and cravings, especially when there’s no access to alcohol. Others mask their problem as a way to socialize and have fun.
Once someone becomes dependent on alcohol, drug and alcohol rehab is often needed to break the cycle. Long-term alcohol abuse greatly impacts the liver as well as cardiovascular health and can even lead to premature death.
Who’s at Risk?
According to the CDC, binge drinking is the most deadly pattern of excessive alcohol use in the country. The CDC has also found that binge drinking is most common among younger adults, especially those between the ages of 18 to 34.
It’s also been determined that binge drinking is more common in above average households, but the issue also persists in lower income demographics.
Trusted Alcohol Addiction Treatment
Admitting that you have a problem is the first step in recovering from alcohol addiction. While there are plenty of drug and alcohol treatment centers in New Jersey, BlueCrest Recovery Center is where you’ll feel safe, relaxed, and at home. We offer both inpatient and outpatient programs, allowing you to end your addiction in a way that works best for you.
Call us today at 888.292.9652 to get started on your personal journey to sobriety.
