Tag Archives: binge drinking

QUIZ – How Much Do You Know About Alcohol Use Versus Abuse?

Uncategorized, , , ,


The line between use versus abuse may not be as clear as it seems – do you know how much alcohol is in one drink? Or how about what constitutes an episode of binge drinking? Let’s find out. Take a look at the statements below – are they true or false? Try to give the quiz a shot before looking at the answers below. You can write “T or F” for each number on a piece of paper and check your answers at the end. No scrolling down!

  1. Between 30-40 thousand deaths are caused by alcohol abuse each year.
  2. Alcohol is the third most used and abused addictive substance in the United States.
  3. Aside from those in the maternity or intensive care units, up to 40% of American hospital patients are there because of alcohol-related health issues.
  4. Alcoholism increases the risk of oral, organ and intestinal cancers.
  5. Men are more likely to be involved in a fatal alcohol-related car accident.
  6. Frequent binge drinking is not as much of a concern as daily alcohol dependence.
  7. Adults 25 and younger engage in the majority of binge drinking episodes.
  8. One alcoholic drink contains about 1.2 tablespoons of pure alcohol.
  9. You are considered a ‘moderate drinker’ if you are a male who has 2 drinks daily, or a female who has 1 drink daily.
  10. Approximately 5 or more drinks for men, and 4 or more drinks for women on a single occasion constitutes an episode of binge drinking.

 

 

 

Don’t peek!

 

 

 

 

 

Keep scrolling….

 

 

 

 

 

Answers:

 

  1. FALSE. Over 88,000 Americans die because of alcohol abuse annually.
  2. FALSE. Alcohol is actually the number 1 most used addictive substance in the United States. Furthermore, the National Council on Alcohol and Drug Defense (NCADD) approximates that 1 in every 12 American adults (about 17.6 million) abuses or is dependent on alcohol.
  3. TRUE. According to the NCADD, excluding maternity and ICU, approximately 40% of hospital beds at any given hospital in the United States are being used to treat alcohol-related (or alcohol-exacerbated) health conditions at any given time.
  4. TRUE. Alcoholism increases the risk of certain cancers, such as esophageal, mouth, throat, larynx and liver.
  5. TRUE. Men are actually twice as likely as women to be involved in an alcohol-related car accident death.
  6. FALSE. Participating in regular binge drinking episodes can have just as many negative effects as someone who drinks less daily.
  7. FALSE. According to the CDC, adults 26 and older account for 70% of binge drinking episodes. However, while youth do drink less often than older adults, when they do drink it is almost always dangerous binge-style.
  8. TRUE. One drink contains about 0.6 ounces (or 1.2 tablespoons) of alcohol.
  9. TRUE. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 1 drink daily for men and 2 for women constitutes moderate drinking.
  10. TRUE. According to the CDC, approximately 5 or more drinks for men or 4 or more drinks for women on a single occasion constitutes an episode of binge drinking.

How did you do? Hopefully 10/10! Feel free to try our Smoking Quiz next. To read more about signs of addiction and how to get help, check out our post on alcohol abuse. Thanks for visiting DocChat!

Binge Drinking Part 2 – Risk Factors and Treatment

Uncategorized, , , , , , , ,

As we mentioned in Part 1 enjoying the occasional evening of drinks is perfectly normal, but if you find yourself constantly biding time until the next party, passing out from drinking, or if others take issue with your partying ways, it may be time for a doctor’s visit.

Risk Factors for Developing Alcohol Problems

People are at greater risk of developing drinking problems if they started binge drinking early, had a parent or close relative with alcohol problems, or hang around with people who frequently drink. Those suffering from certain mental health conditions may be at higher risk of developing problems with alcohol as well.

Is An Intervention Necessary?

It may be time for action if you, a friend, or family member is showing signs such as:

1. Having tried and failed to cut down on drinking

2. Spends much of their time either drinking or hungover from parties

3. Develops an inclining tolerance for alcohol

4. Is touchy, defensive or confrontational when the topic of alcohol abuse arises

5. Makes poor decisions such as drinking and driving

6. Fails to fulfill social or work-related obligations

People with alcohol disorders or problems are often in denial about their alcohol abuse, so sometimes friends and family may need to intervene to bring the problem to the person’s full attention. It may not go over well at first, but if family and friends encourage the person to seek treatment, they will often come around and do so.

What To Ask The Doctor

If you or a loved one feels out of control of drinking habits, it is time to talk to a professional about treatment. When you go to your appointment, your doctor will want to know certain information including your symptoms, any medications you take, exactly how much you drink or if there is any family history of alcoholism. You should prepare a list of questions to ask your doctor such as:
– Should I quit, or just cut back on my drinking?
– Is my drinking making health problems worse or caused me to develop new ones?
– Can you perform some tests to see if my drinking is effecting my physical health?
– Can you refer me to a therapist?
– What other treatment options are available for me?

Treatment Options And Lifestyle Changes

Depending on the severity of the patient’s problem, a doctor may recommend such treatment as:

  • Detoxing – cleansing one’s system of alcohol to help decrease or eliminate dependence, some people have to attend rehab facilities for this if they are unable to do so unassisted.
  • Psychological counseling – can help with any emotional or mental damage created by drinking, as well as help the person develop healthier coping mechanisms when they crave alcohol.
  • Changing lifestyle – people trying to get over alcohol issues may have to replace the time they would have spent drinking with another more beneficial activity such as group yoga, or going out for frozen yogurt with a group of friends a couple times a week.
  • Medications – sometimes depending on the severity of the situation, a doctor may recommend a medication such as Vivitrol to help someone combat alcoholism
  • Treating health issues – there may be subsequent damage done to the body if drinking has occurred over many years, these issues must be addressed and corrected for the person to live a healthy, happy new life.
  • Community support – some people with alcohol problems find it beneficial to attend community support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous.

Societal Efforts To Curtail Bingeing

Governments have taken several steps toward discouraging binge drinking and preventing drinking-related issues such as:

  • Imposing additional taxes and tariffs on alcohol
  • Creating public awareness campaigns such as ‘Designated Drivers’
  • Shop liability for alcohol sold to underage customers
  • Strongly enforced laws such as underage drinking and drunk driving
  • Limiting stores that sell alcohol to only a few per city and restricting hours of sale

Thanks for stopping by DocChat! If you have any concerns about binge drinking or other alcohol problems, please feel free to contact one of our highly qualified DocChat physicians today.

 

 

Partying Too Hard? The Dangers Of Binge Drinking (Part 1)

Uncategorized, , , , , ,

There’s nothing wrong with the occasional evening of social drinks among adults, but if your ‘social drinking’ is turning into a few times a week, a dozen-beers-each-night occurrence, it may be time to take a good look at your alcohol habits.

Alcohol Disorders – Binge Drinking Counts

When people think of an alcohol disorder, they picture an alcoholic drinking alone every day, but the definition encompasses much more. While most people who binge drink are not necessarily alcohol dependent, years of binge drinking can have the same effect as an everyday drinker consuming less drinks per sitting.

Binge drinking can be defined as consuming 4 or more drinks in one evening for a woman, or 5 or more drinks a sitting for a man, according to the CDC. Moreover, 14 or more drinks a week for men or 8 or more weekly drinks for women constitutes heavy drinking. The Mayo Clinic states that alcohol disorders are marked by “a pattern of alcohol use that involves problems controlling drinking, being preoccupied with alcohol, continuing to use alcohol even when it causes problems, having to drink more to get the same effect, or having withdrawal symptoms when you suddenly stop or decrease drinking.”

Binge Drinking Statistics

Binge drinking numbers according to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention:

  • Binge drinking is most common among young adults aged 18–34 years
  • Drinkers aged 65 years and older report binge drinking more frequently
  • Binge drinking is more common among those with household incomes of over $75,000
  • People 26 years and older account for 70% of binge drinking episodes
  • Men binge drink 50% more than women
  • Binge drinking episodes account for 90% of all youth alcohol consumption
  • Over 50% of the alcohol consumed in the United States is in binge drinking form
  • One in six U.S. adults binge drink several times monthly

Health Problems Associated With Excessive Long-term Alcohol Intake

Acute repercussions of binging include “hangover” symptoms such as nausea, migraines, vomiting, shaking or memory loss. Binge drinking is linked to many more serious health issues, including:

  • Sexually transmitted illnesses – people’s inhibitions are significantly lowered when heavily intoxicated, which can lead to unprotected intercourse
  • Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder in pregnant women who partake in binge drinking
  • Neurological damage such as chronic numbness
  • Alcohol poisoning or even death if blood-alcohol exceeds safe limits
  • Cardiovascular disease and complications
  • Liver disease and destruction
  • Gastrointestinal disorders such as ulcers or inflammatory bowel issues
  • Early onset erectile dysfunction
  • Increased risk of cancers of the mouth, larynx, oesophagus, liver, colon, rectum or breast

Other Dangers Associated With Alcohol Abuse

Even though we are all aware of the dangers of drinking and driving this day in age, somehow people are still doing it. Despite the countless tragic stories we see on the news of an innocent child or family killed by a drunk driver, people make poor decisions when they are under the influence. Other issues binge drinking can lead to are accidental injuries such as falling and becoming paralyzed, or intended injury upon others such as an assault that takes place due to lack of judgment, unprotected or unwanted sex, or unintentional pregnancy.

Thanks for visiting DocChat! Check out Part 2 next to read about questions to ask the doctor and available treatment options for alcohol problems!