Binge Drinking
What is binge drinking?
Alcohol is the most widely used recreational drug. We have a culture of socially accepting the drinking of alcohol. The definition of binge drinking is drinking heavily in a short space of time to get drunk or to feel the effects of alcohol.
What’s the difference between drinking normally and binge drinking?
People should not regularly drink more than the daily unit guidelines of 3-4 units of alcohol for men (equivalent to a pint and a half of 4% beer) and 2-3 units of alcohol for women (equivalent to a 175 ml glass of wine). ‘Regularly’ means drinking every day or most days of the week. Two large glasses of wine may not seem like very much. But drinking six units of alcohol in a short space of time – an hour, say – will raise your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and could make you drunk very quickly.
Binge drinking is drinking heavily on a single occasion, or drinking continuously over a number of days or weeks. It is also commonly known as ‘getting smashed’, or ‘drinking to get drunk’.
A person who binge drinks can often drink in a restrained way, but also may frequently overindulge to an extreme level. Alternatively, someone may not necessarily set out to drink a lot, but may be unsure of their limits, resulting in drinking too much over a short period of time.
You may also be more likely to binge drink if you are feeling peer pressure to do so. Or, you may be feeling anxious or socially awkward, for example at a party, and you may binge drink with the aim to reduce those feelings.
Is binge drinking harmful?
Yes! Binge drinking can be immediately and directly harmful to your health. It can expose you to injury or to unnecessary risks to yourself and others. As well as having adverse short-term effects, binge drinking can also cause long-term effects on your health and well-being.
What are the effects of binge drinking?
Getting very drunk can affect your physical and mental health:
Accidents and falls are common because being drunk affects your balance and co-ordination. You’re also more likely to suffer head, hand and facial injuries. Binge drinking has also been linked to self-harm. In extreme cases, you could die. Overdosing on alcohol can stop you breathing or stop your heart, or you could choke on your vomit.
Nearly a third (29%) of alcohol related deaths are a result of alcohol related accidents. These deaths are more common among 16-34-year-olds. Binge drinking can affect your mood and your memory and in the longer term can lead to serious mental health problems.
If you drink to excess you’re likely to experience a number of physical effects, including:
- hangovers
- nausea
- shakiness
- vomiting and memory loss
- injury to yourself
- alcohol poisoning.
Alcohol is a major cause of injury and death among young people. When you’re drunk, you’re more likely to put yourself in risky situations, like getting into a car with someone who’s been drinking, or being the perpetrator or victim of violence.
Long-term effects of binge drinking regularly
Continuous heavy drinking over a long period of time can lead to:
- physical and psychological dependence on alcohol
- significant damage to the brain and liver
- risk of cancer of the mouth, throat or oesophagus
- possible increased risk of neurological disorders, heart problems, and sexual problems (especially male impotency)
- risk of emotional and mental health problems developing, such as depression and anxiety
- problems at school, work and with relationships.
Other possible effects of binge drinking
In addition to the health risks, binge drinking may also impact your self esteem and social life, because you may find yourself doing things when you’re drunk that you wouldn’t normally do if you were sober. In fact, many people who get drunk will do something they regret.
Being drunk affects your judgment and may lead to you:
- Having unprotected sex, or unwanted sex. This might lead to unwanted pregnancy, or STIs.
- Feeling bad about yourself and embarrassed by your actions
- Losing friends or loved ones as a result of your behaviour
- Losing money that you need for other things after reckless spending on alcohol
How much can you drink?
We all respond to alcohol differently, and it is important that you know your own limits, and understand how alcohol affects you as an individual. How alcohol affects you may be
influenced by a number of factors, such as:
- how much alcohol you drink
- how quickly you drink it
- whether you consume the alcohol with other drugs
- whether you’re male or female
- your mood
- your body type
- whether or not you’ve eaten.
If you have not drunken alcohol before, it may be difficult for you to know what your limits are. The first time you drink alcohol, it may be a good idea to try drinking in a safe area, where someone can help you if you drink too much. This might be at home, or at a friend’s place.
Tips for controlling your drinking
There are a number of things you can do to keep your drinking under control, including:
- set limits for yourself and stick to them
- start with a non-alcoholic drink
- try having a ‘spacer’ – alternating non-alcoholic drinks with alcoholic drinks
- drink slowly – take sips not gulps
- try a low alcohol alternative to a pre-mixed drink
- eat before or while you are drinking, avoid salty snacks, they make you thirsty
- avoid rounds or ‘shouts’
- have one drink at a time, so you can keep track
- avoid sculling competitions, and drinking games
- stay busy – don’t just sit and drink
- be assertive – don’t be pressured into drinking more than you want or intend to.
Managing alcohol intake
Managing your alcohol use may be difficult. If you reduce your alcohol use you may still crave for it for sometime afterwards. Try not to be too hard on yourself if you don’t reach your immediate goal. Having to try several times may be part of reducing your use and it is important you keep trying. It may be helpful to have someone you can talk to. This may be a friend, a family member, doctor or a counsellor.
If you would like to talk, feel free to reach out to us. An LifeWorks therapist would be able to help.
Dr. Naeema Ali trained psychology and social worker students of UAE University. She is actively providing counselling support to cancer patients and their families. She launched an occupational therapy for cancer patients and cognitive behavioural therapy in Tawam.
Due to her continued support in oncology and ongoing support to cancer patients, Naeema received countless awards locally and international to recognize her achievements and skills. She has been invited to participate in various conferences and workshops around the world and invited as a guest speaker in various subjects that covers psychology.
She also joined Al Sayegh Medical Center as a Social Worker, providing comprehensive assessment and treatment services to children and families, in inpatient and/or outpatient settings, and communicates with referral sources as indicated by applying psychometric test, such as IQ Test, MMPI, Wechsler Test for children. Exhibit superior communication skills to uncover complicated mental health issues; develop and recommend treatment plans based on patient needs and diagnosis.
She continued working as a clinical psychologist providing counselling within the multi-cultural environment of the Emirates Airlines for the past 15 years. Her main task is providing mental health support to inflight and ground staff and addresses any problems, anxieties, or job-related stresses that they are dealing with. She uses her findings to help improve processes and behaviors of a patient to maintain a safe environment, to manage stress, overcome trauma, or avoid job-related conflicts. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is the method Naeema is using to reduce the difficulties, anxieties, and stress that employee faces.
Naeema is also part of “ Shawer ”, the “Seek Our Advice”, and “We Listen To You” program of the Family Development Foundation of Abu Dhabi. The aim of the program was to promote family awareness and support a stable family life. It involves a group of community members who deal with family problems in a positive manner and provide individual and group counseling in social, psychological, and educational areas. They do so in a systematic way according to the needs of community members.
Besides “ Shawer ”, Naeema is also a volunteer of “ Friends of Cancer ” of Sharjah, supporting patients and their families to overcome the multitude psychological difficulties that they are experiencing due to cancer treatment as well as introducing some programs such as health education, self-care and some community programs wherein they can collaborate and share their experiences.
Area of interest:
-
Psycho-oncology
-
CBT
-
Psychometric Assessments
-
Children, Adults and Family therapy
Qualification and Membership:
-
Psychology graduation from the University of Wisconsin
-
Licensed by Community Development Authority
Dr. Mohammed Bardi M.B.B.S, M.D (Psychiatry) has worked under different capacities in clinical and hospital setups in Saudi, USA, and UAE. He comes with over 15 years of experience in mental health. He specifically worked with cases relating to schizophrenic, bipolar disorder, dual diagnosis, major depressive disorder with suicidal risks, anxiety disorders, Intellectual disabilities, Autistic spectrum disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD).
Area of interest:
-
Mood disorders
-
Anxiety disorders
-
Improving life skills (social skills, self- esteem, decision making, coping with stress, problem solving, and time management)
Qualification and Membership:
-
MBBS COLLEAGUE OF MEDICINE, KING SAUD UNIVERSITY 2003 (KKU).
-
ARAB BOARD OF MEDICAL SPECIALTIES IN PSYCHIATRY 2007
-
ANXIETY DISORDERS WORKSHOP (DIPLOMA), 2010
-
ADDICTION FELLOWSHIP UCLA, USA, 2010-2011
-
ADDICTION RESEARCH AND MATRIX TRAINING, ISAP, UCLA, LOS ANGELES, CA, USA 2014-2015
-
BACHELOR’S DEGREE OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY
-
ARAB BOARD OF MEDICAL SPECIALTIES IN PSYCHIATRY
-
ADDICTION FELLOWSHIP UCLA 2011, 2015
-
BETTY FORD CERTIFICATE, ADDICTION PROGRAM 2010
-
CDA) Licensed Psychologist
Therapeutic Approach:
-
At LifeWorks Holistic Counselling Center Dubai, Dr. Bardi works collaboratively within our expert multidisciplinary team, in treating a wide array of psychiatric conditions including:
-
Anxiety disorders
-
Substance use disorders
-
Mood disorders including depression and Bipolar affective disorders
-
Psychotic disorders (Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders)
-
Personality disorders
-
Cognitive disorders including Dementia
-
Learning disabilities (intellectual disability disorders)
-
Child and adolescents’ disorders like Separation anxiety disorders, conduct
-
disorders and ADHD