What is excessive drinking that is considered more dangerous than binge drinking? – First post

It’s time to feel lively as the holiday season approaches.

Calendars are filled and people stock up on bottles.

However, this festive season it is important to determine how much alcohol you want to consume before adding new drinks.

Although binge drinking may sound familiar, middle-aged adults are increasingly consuming heavy alcohol consumption.

Experts warn against this trend.

Here’s what it means.

Also read:
What is Hangangst, the unwanted guest who knocks on the door after heavy drinking?

High intensity drinking

The term refers to consuming a significantly larger amount of alcohol in a single sitting.

While binge drinking is defined as the consumption of four or five drinks within two hours, high-intensity drinking is defined as the consumption of at least eight or more drinks in a row by a person.

According to a report published in the National Library of MedicineExcessive drinking is “common among certain types of binge drinkers and is often associated with special occasions, including holidays, sporting events, and especially 21st birthdays.”

According to the report’s authors, high-intensity alcohol consumption is “at least twice the typical binge drinking threshold.”

Depending on gender, high-intensity alcohol consumption would be defined as more than eight drinks for women and more than ten for men.

Also read:
What new law is the UK considering on alcohol spikes? Why now?

The rising trend

Research suggests that middle-aged adults may be increasingly engaging in high-intensity drinking practices, although young adults are often associated with binge drinking. According to recent studies, one of the main causes of this behavior is the desire to become more sociable.

As part of the Monitoring the Future study, which tracks the behavior of American teenagers into adulthood, people between the ages of 19 and 30 were asked how often they had drunk heavily in the last two weeks.

It showed that the number of study participants who drank heavily fell from around 11 percent in 2013 to 8.5 percent in 2023.

According to George F. Koob, director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, “while the prevalence is declining, it is still high,” particularly among people in their late 20s.

According to the latest data from 2023, over one in eight people between the ages of 27 and 28 typically drink ten or more drinks in a single evening.

Also read:
Drinking Responsibly: Why Alcohol Drinking Among Teens Is Declining

Risks

High-intensity alcohol consumption can, as expected, lead to more rapid and severe intoxication.

Additionally, it causes blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to rise, occasionally to potentially fatal levels.

According to Dr. According to Koob, consuming eight or 10 drinks in a short period of time can result in a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of more than 0.2 percent, “significantly increasing the risk of injury, overdose and death.”

For those who don’t know, a typical binge drinking session of four or five drinks usually results in a blood alcohol content (BAC) of more than 0.08 percent.

Excessive drinking can not only affect the drinker, but can also impact friendships, romantic relationships, and even life-changing events such as accidents or violent attacks, as it can impair judgment and coordination.

Fainting, an increased risk of alcohol poisoning and possible health problems can also result.

Keith Humphreys, an addiction expert and psychologist at Stanford University, shared The New York Timesthat high-intensity drinkers are more likely to experience a “complete blackout” and are “heavily intoxicated and pose a danger to themselves and others.” The risk of damage increases quite dramatically.”

He said when people drink so much, “the risk of harm increases quite dramatically.”

According to Dr. According to Koob, consuming more drinks on one occasion is associated with a higher risk of alcohol dependence.

The increased blood alcohol level can cause severe strain on the liver and other organs.

Experts advise that alcohol is best consumed in moderation, which definitely does not include consuming more than the recommended amount at once.

Promoting healthy drinking practices and educating individuals about the risks of excessive alcohol consumption are critical.

With input from agencies