Alcohol abuse can be easy to dismiss in ourselves or others and can take many forms. It can be especially difficult to recognize when the abuse does not happen consistently over long periods of time, such as with those who binge-drink. Binge drinking is best defined as short-term alcohol abuse. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, binge drinking is having five or more drinks for men or four or more drinks for women in a two-hour period. More half of the alcohol consumed in the U.S. is consumed during binge drinking.

Binge drinking is of concern because most who binge do not consider themselves to be abusing alcohol and therefore never seek help with quitting. Binge drinking and alcohol dependence, while similar, have subtle but important differences. Binge drinkers:

• Often drink only in social settings
• Tend to abstain between periods of heavy drinking
• Do not experience withdrawal when sober. Withdrawal is characterized by anxiety, trembling, sweating, the inability to sleep, seizures, or nausea.

In contrast, those with alcohol dependence:

• Drink regardless of setting
• Drink consistently without periods of abstention to the point that it endangers relationships or their livelihood
• Experience withdrawal when sober.

It is easy to dismiss binge drinking as something only done by the young, but that is not the case. While many binge drinkers begin binging as teenagers, 70% of binge drinking incidents involve individuals over the age of 26, a sign that age does not stop binge drinking. And those who binge are more likely to engage in other high-risk behaviors, such as unprotected sex or driving while impaired.

As with all addictions, quitting binge drinking is not easy and can be frightening. At BetterAddictionCare, we understand how difficult it can be to get the help you need. We work with a nationwide network of rehabilitation centers and know how important it is to find the right treatment program. Our recovery network is made of top-rated facilities that offer customized treatment options to help you learn how to quit binge drinking and take back your life. Whether you are looking for a traditional facility or want to try alternative rehab programs, our highly trained staff is committed to helping you find the best treatment program for you and start on the road to recovery.

Remember, you are not alone. More than 38 million adults in the U.S. binge-drink. If you or someone you know is asking how to quit binge drinking, wondering why you can’t stop binge drinking, or thinking that they may have a problem with binge drinking, help is here. Do not ignore the signs of alcohol abuse or binge drinking. Help yourself find a solution. Fill out our contact form or call and speak with a counselor to start healing today.