| name: | Binge Drinking |
| also known as: | Drunk; Getting Drunk; Alcohol Intoxication; Alcohol Poisoning; Alcohol Toxicity; ICD 303.0 |
| also see: | Alcohol; Alcoholism; Hangover; Delirium Tremens |
| description: | In addition to the social appeal of drinking, people get "drunk' because of the "high" or "buzzed" feeling alcohol imparts. It is basically being intoxicated. Some of the supposed desirable feelings of getting drunk include the "high", reduced stress and reduced anxiety. Getting drunk might also temporarily hide the feelings of depression. As the affects of the alcohol wear off, the feelings of stress, anxiety and depression will return. Binge drinking is loosely defined as having more than 5 drinks at any one session. Other common symptoms of binge drinking or getting drunk include slurred speech, staggered gait or walking clumsily, poor coordination, poor concentration, poor judgment, confusion, drowsiness, black outs, nausea and vomiting and the famous hangover. Getting drunk can lead to promiscuous sex, altercations and fist fights, car accidents, other types of accidents such as drowning, and suicide. Even though getting drunk might temporarily hide the feelings of depression as mentioned above, alcohol is a depressant drug, meaning it can make depression worse leading to a higher suicide rate. If the alcohol consumption is at that level of alcohol poisoning, unconsciousness, coma and even death can occur. |
| signs & symptoms: | Although it varies from state to state, the following holds true for alcohol levels and operating a motor vehicle: 0.05 - 0.10 = driving under the influence >0.10 = driving while intoxicated Another scale to consider: 0.10 - 0.20 = impaired judgment, clumsiness, poor concentration 0.20 - 0.30 = drowsiness, loss of coordination, confusion 0.30 - 0.40 = loss of memory, black outs, unconsciousness >0.40 = respiratory failure, coma, and possibly death |
| prevention: | Don't drink. |
| outcome: | Long term use of alcohol can lead to alcoholism, alchol liver disease, liver cancer, gastritis, pancreatitis and fetal alcohol syndrome in pregnant females as well as other complications as discussed under alcohol and alcoholism. |
skynetMD suggests the following:
| if: | If the person has had memory lapses, blackouts, drinks daily to get through the day, drinks despite serious health problems, or, if the person has withdrawal symptoms such as headache, chills, shakes |
| go to: | Go to the doctor |
| if: | If the person operates machinery and/or automobiles while under the influence of alcohol, or, if the alcohol is affecting school, work, relationships, or, if the person drinks to escape the daily grind |
| go to: | Go to the phone and call the doctor |
| if: | If the person desires to stop drinking |
| go to: | Go to the phone and call Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). |
| if: | If the person would like an alcoholism Internet Resource |
| go to: | Go to Alcoholics Anonymous World Service, Inc. www.alcoholic-anonymous.org |
| if: | If the person would like a drug abuse and addiction Internet Resource |
| go to: | Go to Chemical Dependency Anonymous www.cdaweb.org |
Last updated 5/29/2007