Alcohol Abuse, Alcoholism and Binge Drinking

Alcohol abuse is a pattern of drinking that results in harm to one’s health, interpersonal relationships, or ability to work. Manifestations of alcohol abuse include the following:

    Failure to fulfill major responsibilities at work, school, or home.
    Drinking in dangerous situations, such as drinking while driving or operating machinery.
    Legal problems related to alcohol, such as being arrested for drinking while driving or for physically hurting someone while drunk.
    Continued drinking despite ongoing relationship problems that are caused or worsened by drinking.
    Long-term alcohol abuse can turn into alcohol dependence.

Dependency on alcohol, also known as alcohol addiction and alcoholism is often thought of as a chronic disease. The signs and symptoms of alcohol dependence include—

    A strong craving for alcohol.
    Continued use despite repeated physical, psychological, or interpersonal problems.

    The inability to limit drinking.

What is binge drinking?
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism binge drinking is defined as a pattern of alcohol consumption that brings the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level to 0.08% or more. This pattern of drinking usually corresponds to 5 or more drinks on a single occasion for men or 4 or more drinks on a single occasion for women, generally within about 2 hours.

Alcohol intoxication can be harmful for a variety of reasons, including:

    Impaired brain function resulting in poor judgment, reduced reaction time, loss of balance and motor skills, or slurred speech.
    Dilation of blood vessels causing a feeling of warmth but resulting in rapid loss of body heat.
    Increased risk of certain cancers, stroke, and liver diseases (e.g., cirrhosis), particularly when excessive amounts of alcohol are consumed over extended periods of time.
    Damage to a developing fetus if consumed by pregnant women.5
    Increased risk of motor-vehicle traffic crashes, violence, and other injuries.

Coma and death can occur if alcohol is consumed rapidly and in large amounts.

What health problems are associated with excessive alcohol use?
Excessive drinking both in the form of heavy drinking or binge drinking, is associated with numerous health problems, including—

    Chronic diseases such as liver cirrhosis (damage to liver cells); pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas); various cancers, including liver, mouth, throat, larynx (the voice box), and esophagus; high blood pressure; and psychological disorders.
    Unintentional injuries, such as motor-vehicle traffic crashes, falls, drowning, burns and firearm injuries.
    Violence, such as child maltreatment, homicide, and suicide.
    Harm to a developing fetus if a woman drinks while pregnant, such as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
    Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
    Alcohol abuse or dependence.

If you are experiencing alcohol related problems, treatment may be helpful to you.  Because our treatment center relies on evidence based practices, our Substance Abuse Intensive Outpatient Program shares many common methods with other successful rehab programs.  The foundations of our program for substance abuse treatment also rely on the principles of harm reduction, motivational interviewing, stages of change and cognitive behavioral therapy to promote recovery from alcohol abuse and drug treatment.  In fact, our Intensive Outpatient Program in Memphis, TN that has been proven to be effective in the treatment of alcohol abuse and drug treatment in peer reviewed treatment outcome studies.   Our treatment center  provides services to those who need more treatment than one hour a week, but less than 24 hour care, by providing three hours of treatment per day, three to five days per week, in an intensive outpatient setting.  If you or a loved one is showing signs of alcohol abuse, alcoholism, binge drinking or needs drug treatment rehab, they should be assessed by a trained mental health professional who can help design a treatment plan that can result in recovery.  Treatment for substance abuse can be highly successful.  Call us at 901-682-6136 to schedule an appointment.