Alcoholism is a tough beast to face. One in eight Americans quality for diagnosis as an alcoholic. Alcohol is such a normalized fixture of our society that it’s tough to tell when someone is an alcoholic. 

So is someone who engages in binge drinking an alcoholic? How do you know if someone is an alcoholic? What’s the difference between being drinking and normal drinking? 

If you’ve found yourself asking these questions, you’ve come to the right article. This article will serve as your helpful guide to this epidemic. 

Binge Drinking Definition 

Binge drinking is when someone drinks a vast amount of alcohol in a short amount of time. The definition is different for men and women because men and women’s bodies have different responses to alcohol. A woman who drank four or more drinks in the past two hours has been engaging in binge drinking, as has a man who has drank five or more drinks in the same amount of time.

Does Binge Drinking Make You An Alcoholic? 

While binge drinking is extremely dangerous in its own right, by definition, binge drinking does not make you an alcoholic. Someone who binge drinks in order to relieve stress is far more likely to become an alcoholic than someone who controls their alcohol intake, however. Some people are able to limit their heavy drinking to every once in a while, and while that has ill effects, it doesn’t get them hooked on alcohol. 

The unfortunate truth is that not all is fair in the world of alcohol. Someone could go out binge drinking often, and never develop an addiction. Another person can start off only drinking responsibly a little bit every night, which spirals into an addition; the culture of addiction does not suggest a culture of alcoholism. 

However, the culture of binge drinking and the culture of alcoholism does suggest that the U.S. has problems with the way its residents treat alcohol. Alcohol, though legal and culturally important, is a drug. Drugs have to be treated with care.

It should be said that someone who binge drinks can become an alcoholic. A binge-drinking alcoholic is someone with a dependence on alcohol, who drinks heavily often. These people combine the long-term effects of alcoholism, and the host-term effects of binge drinking, for a seriously dangerous combination 

While there are other important addictions crises to remember, we can’t forget the devastating effects of alcohol addiction. 

Binge Drinking Dangers

Binge drinkers are at high risk for the side effects of alcohol. Half of all alcohol-related deaths are due to acute intoxication. People who suffer from binge drinking can die due to alcohol poisoning, or due to the suppression of the gag reflex, which can lead to one choking on their own vomit in their sleep. 

Binge drinkers are also far more likely to have their cognition and inhibition impaired. They may get themselves into dangerous situations as a result of drinking heavy amounts of alcohol. They may slip and fall (particularly dangerous around stairs), start fights or engage in drunk driving. 

Binge drinking doesn’t just result in death, however, it can also result in injury. It can lead to an inflammation of the stomach, pancreas, or liver. If someone gets injured while binge drinking, they’re less likely to recover quickly.

Binge drinking can also lead to weight issues, kidney problems, heart issues, sexual health issues. There’s even evidence to suggest that, over long periods of time, binge drinking can lead to various forms of cancer. 

Treatment for Alcohol Addiction 

In some cases, binge drinking often leads to an addiction to alcohol or alcoholism. Fortunately, there are many forms and a variety of ways to treat alcohol addiction. 

At Restore Detox Centers, we provide a high-quality detox alcohol detox program to help you get back on track.  Attempting to detox from alcohol is a tall task and can even be life-threatening.  We make sure to provide a comfortable and safe environment to help you heal.

Our inpatient and residential treatment is to help those with more severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms.  Of course, ono two patients’ circumstances or symptoms are alike, that’s why these treatments must be intensive to meet the client’s needs. 

Get Help With Restore Detox Centers Today

While binge drinking does not necessarily mean someone is an “alcoholic”, someone who binge drinks will still feel some nasty side effects. They can make poor choices, put their health at risk, and head down the slippery slope into alcoholism. 

For more information, contact us today.