Life can be a party, but partying too hard comes with consequences. Binge drinking might not indicate an alcohol addiction, but it is a sign that there is an underlying problem or one on the horizon.
Binge drinking in Florida is on the rise. Despite the best efforts of colleges and universities to educate students about the dangers of partying too hard, the incidence rates in Florida are closing in on the national average. Binge drinking is prevalent among college-age people. What you might not realize is people of any age can be prone to drinking excessively at parties, special events, or even when alone. In time, it can damage your health as well as your personal relationships.
Binge Drinking Trends in Florida Follow the National Average
Binge drinking rates are up across the country, and Florida is no exception. The United Health Foundation says that in 1998, Florida was only slightly behind the national average with 13.2 percent of adults admitting to imbibing too heavily once in a while. At the same time, the national average was 14.3 percent.
Something happened in 2012, however. Both the national and Florida average for binge drinking spiked. At the national level, 18.3 percent of people reported binge drinking. In Florida, the rate was 17.1.
The rates for both trended back downward slightly until 2015. Now, they are on the rise again and Florida is closing the gap. The lowest rate since 2012 was still higher than the entire period between 1998 and 2010. In 2016, the national average was 16.3 and Florida’s rate of binge drinking was 15.6.
What Is the Big Deal About Binge Drinking?
Binge drinking does not mean that you are an alcoholic, although it can pave the way for alcoholism later. It does pose health risks in the here-and-now.
You have probably heard stories about alcohol poisoning. According to Mayo Clinic, binge drinking is a leading cause. It can happen whenever a person consumes too much alcohol over a short period of time. What is more, a fatal dose of alcohol could be in your stomach before you know that you have consumed too much.
Signs and complications of alcohol poisoning include:
- Extreme dehydration
- Brain damage
- Choking
- Seizures
- Hypothermia
- Stopping breathing
- Irregular heartbeat
According to Health News Florida, binge drinking can cause heart problems. In April, German researchers who participated in the Munich Beer Related Electrocardiogram Workup Study found a link between drinking to excess and cardiac arrhythmias.
See Related: Signs You Should Go To Rehab
How to Get Help When You Need It
The occasional nature of binge drinking does not make it safer than drinking a little every day. According to the Centers for Disease Control, one in six people has about eight drinks during a binge, and binge drinkers are not always young. People over age 65 report binge drinking more often than their 18-to-34-year-old counterparts. It does not matter if you are a teenager or a retiree, alcohol rehab in Florida can help you get control.
For a binging problem, you might not need alcohol detoxification treatment or residential care. You might only need outpatient care and aftercare. Then again, you might need a different combination of care.
Something else to consider is co-occurring disorder treatment, which may get to the root of how and why you like to binge drink. For every patient, there is a customized program that can help get life back on track and leave binge drinking behind.
Binge drinking rates are higher now than they have been in years. In Florida, they are on track to match or possibly surpass the national average. That kind of overachieving is not something of which to be proud.
If you or someone you care about needs help getting a binge drinking problem under control, Orlando Recovery Center can help. Our caring and professional staff can help you regain control and lead a healthier, happier life.
Contact us to learn more.
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The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.