Alcohol is widely present in society, and for many, drinking is a normal part of life. While having an occasional drink may not be problematic, binge drinking is a concern—especially for men. Binge drinking involves consuming large amounts of alcohol in a short period. Over time, it can lead to serious health issues and disrupt various aspects of life. However, through an alcohol detox program and addiction treatment, men can heal physically while learning skills that help them to live healthier and substance-free lives after treatment.
What Are the Dangers of Binge Drinking?
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) explains that binge drinking is a drinking pattern that brings blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to .08%. In general, this means four or more drinks for women and five or more drinks for men within two hours. However, this amount will vary for each person. Additionally, over time a person’s tolerance will increase as they drink more often. Therefore, men who binge drink regularly might consume significantly more than five drinks in two hours.
Drinking alcohol can have negative impacts on a person’s body. However, binge drinking can be significantly more harmful. Alcohol impacts multiple tissues in the body. Excessive amounts can cause issues with the immune system and the pancreas. Additionally, over time, binge drinking can contribute to other health problems, including liver problems and multiple types of cancer.
Binge drinking puts individuals, especially men, in high-risk situations. These risks include blackouts and overdoses, which can cause immediate harm. Additionally, men who binge drink are more likely to engage in unsafe sex, increasing the risk of unintentional pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. This is largely due to the significant impairment caused by consuming large amounts of alcohol.
Binge Drinking in Male Populations
By comparison, men are more likely to engage in binge drinking behavior than women. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 21% of men engage in binge drinking. This is compared to about 13% of women who engage in it. Men are also at a higher risk for injuries related to binge drinking, such as hospitalization, car crashes, and even death.
Women and men are different in many ways, and their perception of alcohol is one of them. Young men, in particular, view alcohol consumption as less dangerous than women. As a result, men will tend to drink more without as much consideration for the consequences. While men may not initially experience negative consequences from binge drinking, it can eventually cause serious health issues and put them at a high risk of harm.
Women often face more social consequences due to binge drinking. For women, binge drinking increases the risk of becoming a victim of crime, which may make them more cautious about consuming large amounts of alcohol. On the other hand, many men, especially young men, are encouraged by their peers to drink more. While the dangers of binge drinking are still present, the consequences tend to be less severe for men, and social pressure often pushes them to continue drinking.
Finding a Quality Alcohol Detox Program
Men who struggle with binge drinking are likely to need an alcohol detox program. However, this can be difficult as there is much stigma surrounding men who seek treatment for addiction, including alcohol abuse. For many men, admitting they are struggling with binge drinking and addiction can be difficult. They come from a culture in which boys are expected not to cry, and going to alcohol detox and treatment can feel like the equivalent of whining about their issues.
However, binge drinking and alcohol addiction are serious. While there are misconceptions about the need for treatment, alcohol addiction is a chronic disease that requires assistance to heal. Treatment most often includes alcohol detox. Through detox, men can begin to heal physically from binge drinking and other drug use. This is the first step and helps the body transition into life without substances. The process takes time. A medically supervised alcohol detox program is essential as it helps to create safety and effectively manage symptoms related to the detox process.
Addressing the Underlying Causes of Alcohol Addiction
After an alcohol detox program, treatment will also include different types of therapy that help men build the skills necessary to thrive after treatment. This may include addressing past trauma, emotional challenges, and more.
A man’s feelings and thoughts play an essential role in their choices. Learning to improve their awareness of their inner workings through therapy and other modalities can help men decrease binge drinking and substance abuse. This is true in the short term and long term. While healing looks different for each individual, men can heal from addiction, binge drinking, and other mental health issues by seeking quality help.
You can contact us at (800) 922-0095, or visit any of our Arizona drug and alcohol treatment centers to start your recovery journey today.
CAVE CREEK
29858 N. Tatum Blvd.
Cave Creek, AZ 85331
CHANDLER
3033 South Arizona Avenue
Chandler, Arizona 85248
TUCSON
5151 East Pima Road
Tucson, Arizona 85712
SCOTTSDALE
8171 E Indian Bend Rd
Scottsdale, AZ 85250
Partaking in alcoholic beverages, whether in a social setting or at home, can become problematic. As tolerance increases, so does the amount one needs to drink to achieve the same effect. This is especially true for males. Men are more likely to binge drink and consume, on average, nine drinks during a binge. However, binge drinking is very dangerous. Buena Vista offers an alcohol detox program and expert addiction treatment. Additionally, we understand that it is difficult for men to seek treatment. Our programs are designed with the understanding of how to help you address underlying issues and take the first steps toward a new life. Call (480) 741-9414 to learn more.
