Binge Drinking
What is binge drinking?
The term "binge drinking" can mean different things to different people, but some common definitions are:
- Drinking so that you can deliberately get drunk
- Occasional and irregular bouts of heavy drinking
- Normally being a responsible drinker, but often overindulging
Binge drinking: The risks
Regularly drinking large amounts of alcohol can damage your body, social life and relationships. And if you're under 18, the health risks are even more serious.
Some of the risks involved with binge drinking include:
- Having accidents
- Getting into fights or arguments
- Missing work
- Feeling depressed
- Passing out
- Loss of valuable and personal items like wallets, jewellery, phones and iPods
- Having unsafe sex
Some of the long-term risks of binge drinking include:
- Liver damage
- Stomach ulcers
- Sexual problems
- Weight problems
- Depression
Becoming addicted
One of the most serious long-term risks of binge drinking is becoming dependent on alcohol, both physically and psychologically.
When this happens you feel as though your body can't function without alcohol. Drinking can become more important than anything else in your life. This is what is known as alcohol dependency or alcoholism.
Staying in control
If you choose to drink (remember it is illegal to drink alcohol in Ontario until you are 19), here are some ways to avoid bingeing and getting out of control:
- Set yourself a limit on how much you'll drink and stick to it
- Have something to eat before you go out
- Don't drink too fast - sip, don't gulp
- Have a "spacer" between each alcoholic drink - something nonalcoholic like soft drink or even a glass of water
- Don't drink alone - stay with your friends and look after each other
- Stay active - do something else besides drinking (for example, dancing, talking with mates, going for a walk, playing games, watching DVDs)
- Don't accept drinks from people you don't know
- Have at least two alcohol-free days every week
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