Effects of Binge Drinking

Binge drinking is the most common pattern of excessive alcohol consumption in the United States. It is defined as a pattern of drinking that brings the blood alcohol concentration of a person to 0.08 grams percent or above. People consume a lot of alcohol these days and blame it on the stress caused due to the hectic lifestyle.

This pattern of continuous consumption of five or more alcoholic drinks in a row is not only seen in men but also in women. There are some people who drink this amount of alcohol at least twice or thrice a week which is also known as alcohol abuse. This is not good for health and may lead to various side effects.

This pattern is also seen in college students these days. They do it due to peer pressure. The rate at which this condition is affecting the young generation is alarming, and it is a cause of concern.

This pattern of alcohol consumption is related to many health problems. Binge drinking increases:

• the chances of kidney problems
• the risk of getting a stroke or a heart attack
• the chances of cardiovascular diseases
• the risk of tongue, mouth, or throat cancer
• the risk of infertility
• the problems of hand-eye coordination
• the risk of vomiting and seizures

Apart from the side effects mentioned above, a significant increase in the blood pressure is also observed many people. Liver cancer, liver cirrhosis, and permanent damage to the liver are some other effects of this condition on the liver. A binge drinker may also get affected by alcohol poisoning. Weight gain, depression, and alcoholism are some other effects of this pattern of drinking.

Brain, the most vital organ in our body, may also get affected by binge drinking.

• Too much alcohol consumption can affect the brain cells. The reasoning skills of the person may become weaker and his memory may also become impaired.
• Episodes of blackout and memory loss are also observed in some cases.

• Brain shrinkage is another dismaying effect of excessive alcohol consumption for a long period of time.
• Serious brain disorders like Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome (WKS) may also develop in some cases. This syndrome leads to mental confusion and paralysis of the various nerves in the brain.
• The muscle coordination of a person may also get affected.

College students are the most affected, and peer pressure is the reason cited for binge drinking in them. The following are the effects that they face.

• Drinking affects the sleeping pattern in human beings. Students may wake up with bad cases of hangover which affects their mood. This leads in poor concentration and performance.

• Binge drinking increases muscle pain and chances of swollen muscles, which may lead to weakness in the body.
• Intoxication leads to lose of control of your mind and actions. This, in turn, leads to an increase in the criminal behavior of the college students.

Permanent brain damage, liver damage, kidney failure, and hypertension are some other side effects of this condition.

As mentioned before, the effects of binge drinking are many and most of them are permanent. Alcoholism and binge drinking may destroy the life of a person.