05 Dec Get Ready for the Holiday Feasts! Here’s How You Can Avoid Binge Drinking
With the holiday season looming closer, calendars are starting to be filled with parties. Celebrations are usually full of banquets of food and drinks, which can sometimes lead to overindulging.
Binge drinking is defined as consuming five or more drinks in just a span of two hours. It can have adverse effects, both short-term and long-term.
Health Effects of Binge Drinking
You can start to feel the effects of alcohol in your body 5 to 10 minutes after drinking it. Around 90% of alcohol in your blood is being broken down by the liver.
One of the effects of binge drinking include death due to alcohol poisoning. It can also increase risk of injuries and death from motor vehicle accidents, drowning, and suffocation, among others.
Other health effects of binge drinking include:
- Irregular heartbeat
- Dehydration
- Low levels of minerals such as sodium and potassium
- Lung inflammation or infection
- Low blood sugar
- Unsafe sex practices, which can lead to sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancy
- Liver inflammation
- Increased risk of stroke
How to Drink Responsibly
You can still enjoy holiday parties with a drink in your hand, as long as you know your limits.
Here are some ways to ensure that you will never overboard with your drinking:
- Avoid hard liquor: opt for less concentrated drinks such as beer or wine.
- Drink after eating meals: having meals before drinking can dilute the effect of alcohol in your body.
- Stick to your schedule and minimum number of drinks
- Look for alcohol-free or low-alcohol content options
- Plan your trip home
If you are having a hard time saying no to alcohol, you might need to seek help. You might need a support group or community to aid you towards betterment. Health care professionals can also introduce you to strategies and coping mechanisms to wean you off drinking.
SOURCE:
https://www.verywellmind.com/can-i-control-my-alcohol-consumption-22394
https://www.healthline.com/health-news/what-happens-to-your-body-when-you-binge-drink