Alcohol Addiction in Colorado: When Binge Drinking Becomes Alcoholism
Data from the CDC indicates that there may be as many as 38 million American adults who binge drink an average of four times per month. That is a stunning number when you consider that the entire adult population is just over 245 million. Why should this be a concern? Because regular binge drinking greatly increases the chances of developing alcohol addiction. Nearly every alcoholic can point to a time in the past when binge drinking was normal routine.
Binge drinking can become alcoholism when the drinker continues unregulated drinking with no intervention. It is a matter of time combined with the physical tolerance of alcohol. The more often a person binges, the more quickly the brain learns to tolerate alcohol in the system. This leads drinkers to consume more alcohol in order to continue enjoying the pleasures that come with binging. A cycle quickly ensues, and binge drinking becomes alcoholism.
Treatment Center in Arizona
Addiction Recovery in Arizona
Alcohol Rehab Denver
Alcohol Rehab Colorado Springs
Alcohol Rehab Aurora
Alcohol Misuse and Binge Drinking
For the record, medical science defines different levels of alcohol misuse based on volume and frequency of consumption. Terms may differ from one practitioner or organization to the next, but the three general classifications are as follows:
The practice of regular binge drinking is dangerous because it is usually the final step driving a person towards alcohol addiction. Someone who binge drinks three or four times per month will quickly develop tolerance and leads the individual to consume more alcohol with every binging session. Binge drinking even once per month is not regarded as safe; engaging in this behavior multiple times per month is asking for trouble.
Bringing an End to Binge Drinking
A person who regularly binge drinks might be able to put a stop to this behavior quickly enough to avoid alcohol addiction. There are several options for doing so, beginning with paying a visit to a primary care physician who can prescribe one of several different medications to help control alcohol cravings.
One of those drugs, known as Disulfiram, has shown to be rather effective among those who truly want to stop binge drinking. It is a drug that interferes with the liver's ability to absorb alcohol. Because alcohol is not absorbed, nearly all of the alcohol a person consumes goes right to the brain within minutes of drinking. This produces an immediate hangover effect that is extremely uncomfortable. The idea of prescribing the medication is to make drinking so uncomfortable that a person is willing to avoid it.
Another option is for the drinker to join an alcohol support group. Interestingly enough, one does not have to be addicted to be part of a support group. Groups tend to welcome those who are trying to avoid alcohol addiction by changing the way they do things.
A third option is to undergo counseling with a licensed counselor or therapist. Counseling can take many forms, including something known as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT was originally developed to help people suffering from clinical depression or anxiety, but researchers quickly discovered it can be useful for dealing with alcohol problems as well. CBT is a goals-based therapy that seeks to help the problem drinker identify the reasons for his or her excess so that solutions can be found to avoid binging in the future.
There is no right or wrong way to bring an end to binge drinking. However, finding what works for the individual is imperative if alcohol addiction is to be avoided. It is rare that a routine binge drinker can continue consuming alcohol in excess without developing some level of dependence.
Sources:
1.Prevention – http://www.prevention.com/health/binge-drinking-how-tell-if-you-have-alcohol-problem
2.Kids Count – http://datacenter.kidscount.org/data/tables/99-total-population-by-child-and-adult#detailed/1/any/false/869,36,868,867,133/39,40,41/416,417
Binge drinking can become alcoholism when the drinker continues unregulated drinking with no intervention. It is a matter of time combined with the physical tolerance of alcohol. The more often a person binges, the more quickly the brain learns to tolerate alcohol in the system. This leads drinkers to consume more alcohol in order to continue enjoying the pleasures that come with binging. A cycle quickly ensues, and binge drinking becomes alcoholism.
Treatment Center in Arizona
Addiction Recovery in Arizona
Alcohol Rehab Denver
Alcohol Rehab Colorado Springs
Alcohol Rehab Aurora
Alcohol Misuse and Binge Drinking
For the record, medical science defines different levels of alcohol misuse based on volume and frequency of consumption. Terms may differ from one practitioner or organization to the next, but the three general classifications are as follows:
- Problem Drinking – Problem drinking is the first level of alcohol misuse and is characterized by occasionally exceeding what is considered a safe and acceptable level of drinking. Two drinks per day for men and one for women is considered the maximum in terms of being safe.
- Alcohol Abuse – Alcohol abuse constitutes regularly exceeding safe levels of drinking. It is characterized by binge drinking, which is normally considered consuming three or more alcoholic beverages in a short amount of time – typically with and hour or two. Binge drinking often leads to drunkenness.
- Alcohol Addiction – The third and final level of alcohol misuse is full-blown addiction. A person addicted to alcohol is controlled by his or her drinking habits. Everything revolves around drinking, be it at home, at work, or at play.
The practice of regular binge drinking is dangerous because it is usually the final step driving a person towards alcohol addiction. Someone who binge drinks three or four times per month will quickly develop tolerance and leads the individual to consume more alcohol with every binging session. Binge drinking even once per month is not regarded as safe; engaging in this behavior multiple times per month is asking for trouble.
Bringing an End to Binge Drinking
A person who regularly binge drinks might be able to put a stop to this behavior quickly enough to avoid alcohol addiction. There are several options for doing so, beginning with paying a visit to a primary care physician who can prescribe one of several different medications to help control alcohol cravings.
One of those drugs, known as Disulfiram, has shown to be rather effective among those who truly want to stop binge drinking. It is a drug that interferes with the liver's ability to absorb alcohol. Because alcohol is not absorbed, nearly all of the alcohol a person consumes goes right to the brain within minutes of drinking. This produces an immediate hangover effect that is extremely uncomfortable. The idea of prescribing the medication is to make drinking so uncomfortable that a person is willing to avoid it.
Another option is for the drinker to join an alcohol support group. Interestingly enough, one does not have to be addicted to be part of a support group. Groups tend to welcome those who are trying to avoid alcohol addiction by changing the way they do things.
A third option is to undergo counseling with a licensed counselor or therapist. Counseling can take many forms, including something known as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT was originally developed to help people suffering from clinical depression or anxiety, but researchers quickly discovered it can be useful for dealing with alcohol problems as well. CBT is a goals-based therapy that seeks to help the problem drinker identify the reasons for his or her excess so that solutions can be found to avoid binging in the future.
There is no right or wrong way to bring an end to binge drinking. However, finding what works for the individual is imperative if alcohol addiction is to be avoided. It is rare that a routine binge drinker can continue consuming alcohol in excess without developing some level of dependence.
Sources:
1.Prevention – http://www.prevention.com/health/binge-drinking-how-tell-if-you-have-alcohol-problem
2.Kids Count – http://datacenter.kidscount.org/data/tables/99-total-population-by-child-and-adult#detailed/1/any/false/869,36,868,867,133/39,40,41/416,417