How to stop binge drinking
The term "binge drinking" refers to drinking heavily over a short period of time with the intention of becoming severely intoxicated.Now, however, the term refers to the heavy consumption of alcohol over a short period of time (just as binge eating means a specific period of uncontrolled overeating). It can be harmful in a number of ways. It may put a person at risk of alcohol poisoning, which could be lethal. That one aside, many personal injuries, broken wrists and ankles are a result of falling down when drunk. Car accidents caused by drunken drivers are still sadly so common. Some of the indirect dangers include unplanned pregnancy, even “almost-rapes”, unwanted casual sex, unnecessary fights, weight gain caused by the sugar in alcohol and the post drinking munchies. So how can you trick yourself into abstaining from binge drinking?.
Today the generally accepted definition of binge drinking in the United States is the consumption of five or more drinks in a row by men — or four or more drinks in a row by women — at least once in the previous 2 weeks. Heavy binge drinking includes three or more such episodes in 2 weeks.
Why Do People Binge Drink?
Liquor stores, bars, and alcoholic beverage companies make drinking seem attractive and fun. It's easy for a high school student to get caught up in a social scene with lots of peer pressure. Inevitably, one of the biggest areas of peer pressure is drinking.
What Are the Risks of Binge Drinking?
Many people don't think about the negative side of drinking. Although they think about the possibility of getting drunk, they may not give much consideration to being hung-over or throwing up.
You may know from experience that excessive drinking can lead to difficulty concentrating, memory lapses, mood changes, and other problems that affect your day-to-day life. But binge drinking carries more serious and longer-lasting risks as well.
Alcohol Poisoning
Alcohol poisoning is the most life-threatening consequence of binge drinking. When someone drinks too much and gets alcohol poisoning, it affects the body's involuntary reflexes — including breathing and the gag reflex. If the gag reflex isn't working properly, a person can choke to death on his or her vomit.
Other signs someone may have alcohol poisoning include:
* extreme confusion
* inability to be awakened
* vomiting
* seizures
* slow or irregular breathing
* low body temperature
* bluish or pale skin
If you think someone has alcohol poisoning, call 911 immediately.
Other reasons why people drink include:
* They're curious — they want to know what it's like to drink alcohol.
* They believe that it will make them feel good, not realizing it could just as easily make them sick and hung-over.
* They may look at alcohol as a way to reduce stress, even though it can end up creating more stress.
* They want to feel older.
Firstly, it would help to be aware of how much you are actually drinking and learn how alcohol affects you as an individual. We all have different reactions that are determined by various factors. For example, women generally have less water in the body, which means that women do not dilute the alcohol as quickly as men do. Women also have less of the liver enzymes that metabolize the alcohol. Women’s hormonal levels also have an effect on how fast our bodies eliminate the alcohol.
Our weight affects our BAC (Blood alcohol content), the ratio of alcohol in our blood. To put it simply, binge drinking leads to quick intoxication by getting the BAC ratio high.
According to Evans, Glen and Robert O'Brien (1991) The Encyclopedia of Alcoholism: At 0.07 and higher, we have a very noticeable speech impairment and disturbance of balance; impaired motor coordination, hearing and vision; feeling of elation or depression; increased confidence; may not recognize impairment.
Can you see how this could be dangerous?
The biggest cause of binge drinking is culture and peers. We drink because all our friends drink and when we go out at nights especially on the weekend, we tend to want to get intoxicated together. Some people drink to feel better.
If it is a recent setback like a breakup, make sure that you are in control and aware that you may be using alcohol to feel better. Be mindful as you can end up feeling even more depressed when it wears off. If you suspect that you are possibly depressed and not coping, then seek advice and help instead of masking it with drinking.
Reduce the amount of alcohol you consume on a night out. Make it a rule and a habit to have a glass of water in between every drink. Set a limit for yourself and stick to it. Keep in mind the above data and remember that you don’t have to keep up with anyone. If you are a woman, make sure that you are consuming less than your male friends, if you have heavier friends, the same rule applies. Drinking a glass of water, in between drinks, will help you “keep-pace” with them as well.
Remember that we get very thirsty when we drink and the trick is to drink water. If we don’t, we tend to drink more alcohol to quench the thirst.
Drink slowly. It is not a race. Find alcohol that you enjoy the taste of so that you can relish it like your favourite iced drink. Make sure you have a good meal before your drink and if that was not possible, then try to eat while you drink.
Have “small” drinks and dilute in as much soda or water as you can. If you don’t like the taste of alcohol, then guess what? You shouldn’t be touching it! Be rational. Many people mix their drinks with colas and juices to mask the taste of the liquor, which is quite absurd. If you are going to drink, then do so as a responsible adult. Find the drink that you enjoy the taste of and sip it. If it is a wine or beer and if your chosen drink is a spirit, dilute it in water or soda, this will keep the added sugar content down.
Enroll one or two of your close friends in your decision to not get drunk and look out for each other. And girls, too many binge nights will take a toll on your looks. You go out to socialize and talk or even to dance. Try to remember that alcohol is not the reason for socializing, but just the by-product.
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar