Binge Drinking and Alcohol Poisoning

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism binge drinking is “a pattern of drinking that brings a person’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08 grams percent or above.”  Binge drinking is the result of consuming large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time.

Binge drinking can have serious health consequences including an increased risk of sexual assault and violence, unintentional injuries, impaired judgment and alcohol poisoning.

  • Binge Drinking for Men: consuming five or more drinks within 2 hours
  • Binge Drinking for Women: consuming four or more drinks within 2 hours

Alcohol poisoning can occur when someone has consumed a large amount of alcohol in a short period of time such as binge drinking.  Alcohol poisoning can affect many aspects of your health including your breathing, heart rate and cognitive abilities.  Alcohol poisoning can be fatal.  According to the Mayo Clinic, complications from alcohol poisoning can lead someone to stop breathing or suffer from brain damage.  There is also an increased risk of choking particularly if you pass out from drinking and then vomit.  Alcohol poisoning may result in severe dehydration, seizures or hypothermia.

The consequences of binge drinking are severe.  Not only could you risk your health, you may risk the health of others.  Too many fatal car crashes are alcohol related.

Preventing complications from alcohol poisoning and binge drinking begins with moderation.  If there is an underlying reliance or addiction to alcohol, then sobriety is the only course of action.