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Binge Drinking, Alcohol Abuse and Addiction

Binge Drinking

Binge drinking is having five or more drinks in a row for males and four or more for females. Anytime a person drinks just to get drunk and has a large amount of alcohol quickly, that's binge drinking. Having four or five drinks, regardless of how much time is between drinks, is still very dangerous. Alcohol poisoning is often the result. In some cases, too much alcohol shuts down the part of the brain that controls breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure, resulting in death. Also, binge drinking can lead to risky behavior, such as choosing to drink and drive.

Alcohol abuse

Alcohol abuse and dependence cause problems in every part of a user's life and affect the lives of those who surround him or her. Whenever a person gets drunk, at least six other people are affected. The emotional troubles a person causes when drinking can hurt one's relationships at home and at work. Alcohol abusers often become anxious, depressed, or even suicidal.

Addiction

  • The younger you are when you start drinking, the higher the chances are of you becoming an alcoholic.
  • About 25% of those who start drinking at age 17 or younger develop alcohol dependence. Only 10% of those who start drinking at age 21 or older become addicted.

Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) »