The truth about binge drinking - let's talk about it!

You've probably heard of drinking a lot of alcohol with your friends. Sometimes, you can see this kind of thing at parties and events. But there's a special name for this, and that's "Binge Drinking" . So today we're going to talk about what "Binge Drinking" is, why people resort to it, and what the possible effects of it are. This is very important for you and your friends.

What is "Binge Drinking"?

Simply put, "Binge Drinking" refers to drinking a large amount of alcohol in a short period of time.

To be precise, doctors define it this way:

• For a man , drinking 5 or more units of alcohol within a few hours.
• If you are a woman , it is also drinking 4 or more units of alcohol within a period of time.

This is considered if you have consumed alcohol in this way at least once in the past two weeks .

Imagine that your friend drank about 5 beers in a row at a party. That could be a case of "Binge Drinking".

There is also a condition called "heavy binge drinking." This means three or more binge drinking episodes within two weeks.

Now you probably have some idea of ​​what this is all about.

Why do people, especially young people, resort to "Binge Drinking"?

There could be several reasons for this. Let's look at the main ones.

• Advertising and social attitudes :

Liquor stores, bars, and liquor companies present these things in a very attractive and fun way. They also normalize them in songs and movies. So some people think this is a "cool" thing.

• Peer Pressure:

This is the main reason that often affects, especially young school-age children and those who go to campus. When all their friends are drinking, they think, "Let's drink too." Some people are also afraid that if they say "no", they will be ostracized or thought of as "baba". Imagine, Nimal starts drinking every day at parties because of the pressure of his friends, and after a while it becomes a habit for him too.

• Curiosity:

Some people are tempted to try alcohol out of curiosity, such as, "What happens when you drink this? Why do people like it so much?" They think it will make them feel great and healthy. But they don't think much about the other side effects, which are getting sick and getting a hangover.

• In an attempt to reduce stress :

Some people think that drinking alcohol will make them forget about exam stress, family problems, and sadness for a while. But in reality, alcohol only makes those problems more complicated and creates new problems. Alcohol is not a solution to mental stress.

• Trying to feel like an adult:

Young people, especially, see drinking alcohol as something "grown-up." So they are tempted to do it to look like grown-ups and do things that grown-ups do.

What are the health risks of binge drinking?

Many people don't think much about the negative aspects of drinking alcohol. While they think about having a "fun" time, they don't care much about the hangover, vomiting, and dizziness that follow.

You probably know from experience that drinking too much can cause problems with concentration, memory loss, and mood swings, which can affect your daily life. However, there are more serious and long-term risks to binge drinking.

1. Alcohol Poisoning

This is the most dangerous and potentially life-threatening consequence of "Binge Drinking". When a person drinks too much alcohol in a short period of time, their body cannot handle the amount of alcohol they are given. This is when they develop a condition called alcohol poisoning .

This results in the disruption of involuntary reflexes (involuntary processes) that occur naturally in our body and are essential for survival. For example:

• Breathing
• Heartbeat
• The "gag reflex" in the throat (this is the defense mechanism that helps us automatically expel food from the throat if we choke or vomit)

Imagine, if someone vomits while they are very drunk and unconscious, if the "gag reflex" is not working properly, the vomit can go back into the trachea and choke, causing death.

What are the symptoms of alcohol poisoning?

• To appear very confused and agitated
• Being very difficult to wake up, not responding to talking
• Continuous vomiting
• Seizures may occur .
• Breathing that is very rapid (less than 8 times per minute) or irregular (more than 10 seconds between breaths)
• A very low body temperature (feels cold to the touch)
• The skin becomes pale, with a blue or grayish tint.

If you suspect that you or a friend is experiencing any of these symptoms, please call 1990 Ambulance Service without delay, or take them to the nearest hospital immediately. This could be a life-or-death situation!

2. Impaired judgment

"Binge Drinking" completely impairs a person's ability to distinguish between right and wrong, and to understand good and bad. So, they are tempted to do risky and stupid things that they would never do when sober.

• Drunk driving: This can not only cost you your life, but also the lives of innocent people. It can cost you not only your license, but your life as well.
• Drunk Driving : Not only is it difficult to drive, but it is also difficult to walk properly when you are drunk. This increases the risk of accidents on the road. Every year, drunk pedestrians die in traffic accidents.
• Other risky behaviors: When people are unable to choose between right and wrong, some people resort to unprotected sex . This increases the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) , such as HIV/AIDS, syphilis, and gonorrhea, and unplanned pregnancies . It also increases the risk of getting into fights and engaging in illegal activities.

3. Effects on physical health

"Binge drinking" is something that affects almost every organ in our body.

• Overweight and High Blood Pressure: Studies have found that people who binge drink during their school years are more likely to be overweight and suffer from non-communicable diseases like high blood pressure by the age of 24. Consider that a typical beer has about 150 calories. If you drink 4-5 beers in one night, that means you are adding more calories to your body than you would get from a plate of rice.
• Liver damage: Continuous alcohol consumption is the most damaging to the liver, which can lead to dangerous conditions like cirrhosis.
• Heart disease: This also affects the function of the heart.

4. Effects on mental health

Binge drinking has a major impact not only on the body, but also on the mind.

• Learning difficulties: Binge drinkers have difficulty performing at school and on campus. They are more likely to fail exams and even drop out of school.
• Sleep problems:Alcohol disrupts sleep patterns. When you don't get enough sleep at night, you may feel sleepy, unable to concentrate, and sluggish the next day. This can make it difficult to do your homework.
• Mental disorders: Binge drinking can also cause mental health conditions like depression and anxiety in some people.
• Weakening of social relationships: A person who binges on alcohol may exhibit changes in their behavior. They may become increasingly angry when they drink, fight with others, and withdraw from friends. Relationships with family may also become strained.

5. Alcoholism

This is the most dangerous long-term outcome. Some studies have shown that people who engage in severe "binge drinking" (that is, those who drink three or more times in a two-week period) show symptoms of alcoholism . They can gradually become dependent on alcohol.

If I or a friend of mine has this problem, where can I get help?

If you or someone you know is struggling with binge drinking, please don't be afraid to ask for help. It's not your fault. You can get over it. The most important thing is to get help as soon as possible.

• Talk to a trusted adult: This is a great first step. If you can talk to your parents , that's great. Or, talk to someone you trust, like your doctor, a school counselor, a teacher, a priest, an aunt, or an uncle . They will listen to you and guide you to the help you need.
• Talk to a trusted friend or older sibling: Sometimes it's easier to talk to someone your age. But you need to choose someone who can really help you and who understands you.
• Counseling: You can seek help from a professional counselor to identify the underlying causes (such as stress, family problems) that are contributing to your alcohol use and find solutions to them. These services are available through psychiatric clinics in government hospitals.
• Support Groups: There are support groups where you can come together to talk and share experiences with others who are having similar issues. It makes you feel like you are not alone.
• Online Support: You can also find information and support services related to this online. For example, `(SAMHSA - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)` is an internationally recognized organization. Also, you can find organizations and phone numbers that provide help for this in Sri Lanka. (For example, the phone number of the National Institute of Mental Health is 1926)

Remember, asking for help is not a sign of weakness, it's a sign of strength. You have the right to get your life back on track.

Finally, things to remember (Take-Home Message)

"Binge drinking" is not a game, it is something that can have serious consequences.

• Avoid drinking too much alcohol in a short period of time. Know your limits.
• Don't give in to peer pressure. Don't be afraid to say "no." True friends will understand you.
• Alcohol poisoning is life-threatening. Be aware of the symptoms and seek medical attention immediately if you suspect someone has it.
• If you or someone you know is struggling with this, ask for help. You are not alone.

I hope this information is useful to you. Understand the value of your life and try to be healthy and happy.

Alcohol, Excessive Drinking, Binge Drinking, Young People, Health Risks, Alcohol Poisoning, Getting Help