Binge Drinking vs Alcoholism
By Carmen Cook, LMFT | September 18th, 2024
The difference between binge drinking vs alcoholism is a very fine line that often blends. Both may require treatment depending on your addiction history, and other factors. Understanding the nature of binge drinking and how it can lead to or stem from alcoholism is key to coming to terms with the state of your addiction. This guide is your blueprint and guideline for getting the help you need and deserve.
How Do You Define Alcoholism?
Alcoholism is characterized as an uncontrollable urge to drink. This means the act of drinking is an impulsive behavior that is embedded into one’s addictive mentality. Alcoholism is further characterized by the withdrawal symptoms one experiences when going too long without ingesting alcohol. If this describes you, don’t hesitate to get top-quality addiction treatment today.
What are the Key Difference Between Binge Drinking vs Alcoholism
Not all binge drinkers are alcoholics and not all alcoholics are binge drinkers. Though binge drinking vs alcoholism frequently coincide, pure binge drinkers consume excessive amounts in a session, followed by long periods without drinking. Alcoholism on the other hand is a chronic, repetitive act that the user has little to no control over. This can include repetitive binge drinking sessions that pose a significant risk of permanent health problems and even death. Reach out to a therapist to prevent further damage to your body, mind, and life.
What are the Dangers of Binge Drinking?
Even if one doesn’t have an alcohol addiction, binge drinking vs alcoholism poses many of the same dangers. Here are just a few of those short-term dangers.
Binge Drinking Leads to Alcohol Addiction
One of the main problems with consuming excessive amounts of alcohol is it can often lead to alcohol addiction. This is due to the chemical alterations alcohol has on the body and mind. These alterations, even in the case of short-term binge drinking, can be the gateway to mental or physical dependency.
Alcohol Poisoning and Death
Drinking large quantities in a short span naturally increases blood alcohol content in the body. Consequently, the human body can only take so much alcohol before it induces alcohol poisoning or death. CDC studies in 2021 confirmed just shy of 120,000 deaths annually in the US were related to binge drinking. The CDC further states that these numbers continue to escalate drastically with each passing year.
Violent Tendencies
Excessive drinking lowers inhibitions to the point of little or no control. In accordance, alcohol overindulgence directly affects aspects of the brain related to mood, temperament, and other behavioral impulses. This can pose a danger to you and others with no consideration of the consequences to follow.
Poor Decision-Making
The lowered inhibitions associated with excessive consumption can lead to dangerous decisions you wouldn’t otherwise make. Most people who drink and drive do not intend to do so before being heavily intoxicated. It’s important to decide not to drink to a degree that could cause you to make decisions that would put others’ lives at risk.
What are the Long-Term Effects of Alcoholism?
Long-term effects of alcoholism refer to the permanent damage and health problems induced by a repetitive drinking habit. The following outlines specific permanent health problems associated with alcohol addiction.
Permanent Liver Damage
The liver is the organ responsible for processing everything the body consumes. A chronic drinking habit gradually poisons the liver over time, inducing permanent cell damage that can harm other vital organs and functions. Even if you have acquired permanent liver damage, quitting drinking now can help restore some degree of organ functionality.
Heart Problems
Alcohol is a known contributor to heart disease, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, and other heart problems. Once you’ve developed a heart condition, each drinking session is the equivalent of flipping a coin with your life. It’s never too late to begin a healthy lifestyle. Stopping now can add years back onto your life.
Mental Health Problems
Drinking deprives the body and mind of vital nutrients that can induce a variety of mental health problems over time. These mental health conditions include, but are not limited to depression, anxiety, bipolar, and other personality disorders. While many of these conditions are permanent, you can reverse the severity of these disorders by seeking alcohol addiction rehab.
Cancer
Alcohol is one of the most harmful carcinogens to the human body. A study conducted by the CDC in 2020 found that over four percent of cancer cases stemmed from drinking. In perspective, that’s roughly 75,000 cases per year. Every moment you give in to a drinking habit increases the likelihood of developing cancer. These cancers are not limited to any specific area of the body and can arise anytime anywhere.
What are Treatment Options for Binge Drinking vs Alcoholism?
Contrary to public opinion, both binge drinking and alcohol addiction problems qualify one to seek professional treatment. If you suffer from either, consider seeking one of the following Mana Recovery therapy options.
Individual Therapy
Individual treatment programs consist of one-on-one sessions with a trained therapeutic specialist. These sessions consist of personalized coaching techniques geared toward helping you achieve and maintain sobriety. This type of treatment is best for patients who are not comfortable in social environments or prefer more private treatment. This further magnifies your doctor’s ability to personalize your recovery path to meet your addiction goals and needs.
Group Therapy
Group sessions are extremely beneficial for addiction sufferers who feel alone in their struggle. This treatment option affords the opportunity to meet other like-minded people who can relate to your struggle. Most importantly, it united people who share a common passion for sobriety. In turn, this opens up a broad support network that enables addiction sufferers to help reinforce one another’s recovery confidence.
How To Seek Help for You or a Loved One
It’s always difficult to suffer or watch a loved one suffer through any addiction, especially when the problem isn’t acknowledged. It is best to seek help by first reaching out to a treatment specialist for a professional assessment. Mana Recovery holds the key to helping you achieve and maintain independent sobriety.
