Binge Drinking vs. Alcoholism: Does One Correlate To The Other?

There are thousands of people in the nation that have a relationship with alcohol that is unhealthy. When you have harmful behavior, it can get addicting and lead to problems that you won’t understand how to deal with later. When you wonder how severe the addiction can get, take a look at binge drinking vs. alcoholism. 

What Is Binge Drinking?

Binge drinking is classified as women having four or more drinks in one sitting with men having five or more. A person who binges drinks may not fall into the criteria of alcoholism because they don’t need to drink. In many cases, binge drinking occurs in a social setting, and it only happens once in a while. However, when it becomes an everyday occurrence, it begins to mimic alcoholism.

What Is Alcoholism?

Alcoholism is a severe and life-threatening condition. You will see that you have no control, and you need to drink to make it through the day. If you are in this situation, it’s better to seek professional help. Ledgehill Treatment Center will provide all the help you need with high quality services and professionally trained staff. Ledgehill have quarters for men and women in different locations for a much comfortable recovery place. 

Binge Drinking Vs. Alcoholism

While there are similarities in how these issues correlate with each other, such as making bad decisions, using alcohol as a crutch, and becoming more dependent on it, some key differences set them apart. The first area of difference is the physical dependence on the drink. Binge drinkers are not physically dependent on the substance. They can feel something without it. However, binge drinkers enjoy heavy drinking on multiple occasions, leading to physical dependence. 

The types of environments are different as well. In most cases, binge drinkers get inebriated at parties or when they are out with friends. Alcoholics, on the other hand, will drink anywhere. In addition, someone addicted to the drink will revel in the morning, alone, in secret, and hide so you can’t see that they have a problem. 

Another area that differs in the binge drinking vs alcoholism debate is the ramifications and dangers of their drinking. For instance, a binge drinker might experience the risks below. 

• STDs
• Injuries
• Sexual issues
• Alcohol poisoning
• Getting pregnant unintentionally

When you are an alcoholic, you are at risk for everything we’ve mentioned above and these consequences. 

• Mental illness
• Liver disease
• Brain damage
• Malnutrition
• Diabetes
• Cancer
• Heart disease

As you can see, the more addicted you get, the more dire the consequences will be. You also have a higher risk of costing yourself your life. 

Getting Help To Stop

Both of these conditions are self-destructive and can harm your body and mind. However, binge drinkers usually have a far easier time stopping their behavior while alcoholics don’t. Both situations are treatable, and you don’t have to let them rule you. When you find that your drinking is taking on levels that it shouldn’t, and you no longer feel as if you are in control of the situation, get the help you need to change your life. You may start looking for professionals like an online suboxone doctor to get you started on your journey to sobriety.