Binge Drinking in College

Binge drinking in college, or binge drinking in general, is when you drink 5 or more servings of alcohol in under 2 hours. Since alcohol has ethanol, which is the active ingredient that leads to intoxication, consuming too much alcohol too quickly can cause alcohol poisoning. Too much ethanol can also cause liver damage and alcohol abuse disorder.

Men and women metabolize alcohol differently, with women needing more time to process alcohol than men. The liver is responsible for filtering alcohol but can only filter one drink every hour to an hour and a half. Alcohol impairs your motor coordination, decision making abilities and lowers your inhibitions.

Alcohol can also increase your chances of engaging in risky or dangerous behavior, such as driving drunk. Drinking in college is especially common, with more than half of all full-time college students engaging in binge drinking or consuming alcohol regularly.

Binge Drinking in College

Binge drinking in college is common. Most full-time college students drink alcohol, with more than 35% binge drinking within the past month. Alcohol plays a central role in college life. Parties, fraternities, sororities and sporting events on college campuses regularly include alcohol. Binge drinking in college leads to unintentional injuries and death, with more than 1,800 deaths occurring annually related to drinking on college campuses.

The prevalence of alcohol and binge drinking in college has other consequences. Nearly 100,000 college students experience an alcohol related sexual assault and almost 700,000 college students experience an alcohol related assault annually. On average, 1 out of every 5 college students meets the criteria for an alcohol use disorder.

Binge drinking is dangerous because your liver needs at least one hour to filter one serving of alcohol. Binge drinking puts you at a higher risk of experiencing alcohol poisoning and blackouts. It may also increase your chances of developing an alcohol abuse disorder or alcoholism.

Signs and symptoms of an alcohol abuse disorder and alcoholism include:

• Inability to stop or control your drinking
• Alcohol negatively affecting your academic or work performance
• Experiencing frequent hangovers and blackouts
• Regretting thing you have said or done while drunk
• Getting injured because of your drinking

How Alcohol Use Disorders are Treated

Alcohol use disorders can include chronic binge drinking and alcoholism. Alcohol is both physically and psychologically addicting, causing severe withdrawal symptoms when you stop drinking. Withdrawal symptoms can require medical attention, especially if you experience delirium tremors.

While an alcohol abuse disorder is chronic, it is highly treatable. Detox, inpatient and outpatient care centers combine the leading evidence-based and holistic treatments to help you learn how to overcome and control cravings and triggers. Treatment centers also specialize in helping you construct mindfulness based relapse prevention.

Finding Help Today

Binge drinking in college is common, with 20% of college students meeting the criteria for an alcohol abuse disorder. Early treatment is imperative because substance abuse problems are progressive in nature and worsen over time. Beaches Recovery, a leading substance abuse treatment center focused on helping you reach your recovery goals, knows what it takes to beat addiction and alcohol use disorders. Call us today at 866.605.0532 to learn more about your treatment options.