Alcohol Rehab Arizona Looks at the Effects of Binge-Drinking in College and Beyond
Many college students enter collegiate life with a great deal of drinking experience behind them. For others, being in college is marked by a time of experimentation amid newfound freedoms. The effects of binge-drinking in college and beyond can range from personal physical injuries to a lifelong battle with alcoholism. When binge-drinking leads to regular, heavy consumption of alcohol, the result is often an addiction that requires a qualified alcohol rehab Arizona.
Binge-drinking is defined by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) (1), as consuming excessive amounts of alcohol during two hours to the point of raising the blood alcohol concentration to a level of 0.08 or more. It typically takes men five drinks or more in two hours to reach this level, and just four drinks or more for women.
Desert Cove Recovery understands the difficult journey addicted individuals undertake and offers a wide range of effective treatment programs.
Alcohol is Cheap and Accessible for College Students
After graduating from high school, going to college can be the first time many young people are left to make their own decisions without their parents around. They are more likely than those who do not attend college to have binge-drinking experiences and engage in other risk-taking behaviors.
Alcohol is relatively cheap and easily accessible by anyone above the legal age to purchase and consume it. Some colleges foster an environment that encourages drinking. Recent societal trends have led to more awareness of the dangers and effects of binge-drinking. Fraternities and sororities have historically been part of a drinking culture that encouraged members to drink to excess.
Binge-drinking can lead to a wide range of short- and long-term consequences that can have severe negative impacts on the person who is drinking and their loved ones. When binge-drinking gets out of control, alcohol addiction can take hold. Desert Cove Recovery offers effective treatment programs for alcohol rehab, Arizona residents. The therapies and support provided there can help with the effects of binge-drinking in college and beyond.
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Short-Term Effects of Binge-Drinking
Users feel the effects of alcohol within just 5-10 minutes of consumption. An average-sized person’s liver can break down about one drink an hour. When more alcohol is consumed than the liver can process, the blood alcohol content increases. Alcohol also has adverse effects on cognition and motor reflexes.
Other binge-drinking factors include how quickly the alcohol is consumed, how recently the person has eaten, and the individual’s body type. Age, sex, and ethnicity can also play a role in how the body processes and reacts to drinking alcohol.
In the most severe cases, binge-drinking can result in alcohol poisoning (2), which can kill someone after one binge-drinking session. Additionally, if someone has passed out from drinking, depressing their gag reflex can lead to them choking on their vomit and dying.
Binge-drinking alcohol negatively impacts reaction times and inhibits judgment capacities. Excessive alcohol consumption also increases the risks of personal injuries and deaths from car accidents, drowning, suffocation, or many other types of accidents.
Long-Term Effects of Binge-Drinking
Research has not yet determined how long the physical effects binge-drinking can have on the body or if it is possible to recover from damage caused by excessive alcohol entirely. A study from the University of California at San Francisco discovered that someone partaking in 21 binge-drinking sessions in less than two months might begin to see symptoms of early-stage liver cancer. (3)
Researchers continue to uncover more data on the long-term effects of binge-drinking. As for now, we know that heavy alcohol use over time can lead to varying health conditions. These health conditions may affect:
- Blood and immune system
- Bones and muscles
- Brain and nervous system
- Intestines
- Mental health
- Sexual health
Alcohol Rehab Arizona
Help is available to control the effects of binge-drinking in college and beyond. If you or a loved one is dealing with issues involving the effects of binge-drinking, Desert Cove Recovery offers treatment programs at alcohol rehab, Arizona. A team of compassionate staff can provide the tools necessary to overcome alcohol addiction.
Getting Your Life Back with Desert Cove Recovery
Desert Cove Recovery offers holistic detox and addiction treatment for those suffering from substance abuse. We tailor our treatment plans to the unique needs of each individual. The length of time it takes to complete a recovery program depends wholly on the patient. We understand that each person’s experience with addiction is different. Additionally, Desert Cove Recovery accepts most insurance plans, making alcohol rehab in Arizona more accessible.
Take back your life – contact a member of the Desert Cove Recovery team today, and begin your road to recovery!
Sources:
(1) https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/overview-alcohol-consumption/moderate-binge-drinking
(2) https://www.healthline.com/health-news/what-happens-to-your-body-when-you-binge-drink#6
(3) https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2017/01/405561/binge-drinking-may-quickly-lead-liver-damage
