The idea that drinking alcohol only on weekends is not harmful, is a common belief held by many and it is easy to see why. A common line of thinking in those wanting to find some balance or tone down their alcohol consumption, drinking alcohol only on the weekends is not harmful since you’re drinking less than you would otherwise right?
Well, according to new research into the behaviour of weekend drinkers and the effects that binge drinking can have on the body, the idea that drinking alcohol only on weekends is not harmful is beginning to be proved wrong. In fact, it might turn out that not only is the belief that drinking alcohol only on weekends is not harmful, is incorrect, but also that it might actually be a worse habit than regular and consistent drinking.
The Dangers That Come With Binge Drinking
The main problem with weekend drinking is the risk of moderate drinking or casual drinking, becoming a more intense session of excessive drinking as you increase your alcohol intake to ‘make up’ for the drinking that you abstained from during the working week. This increased consumption of alcohol over a short period of time is known as binge drinking, and while it may increase the perceived positive effects of alcohol, it can also greatly increase the negative alcohol affects.
Binge drinking is officially defined as drinking four or more drinks in less than 2 hours if you’re a woman and five or more if you’re a man. Often associated with college students and party goers, binge drinking isn’t just for young people, with people in the 65-and-older age group regularly binge-drinking and, according the to the CDC, 1 in 6 adults in the United States binge-drinks about four times a month.
While you might think that your one of the 5/6 that don’t partake in this practice, you could be binge drinking more often than you actually realize, especially if you’re saving up all your drinks to be consumed over a shorter two-day period.
The problem with binge drinking is the plethora of negative effects it can have on your health. Binge drinking boosts your risk for liver disease, can give you high blood pressure, increase your canes of a stroke, certain cancers, and heart disease. After a few drinks, you’re also more likely to do things you wouldn’t normally do while sober. Alcohol makes you more impulsive, so you may be more prone to tipsy texting, regrettable or unsafe hook-ups, and unhealthy late-night bites.
To top it off, drinking a lot of alcohol quickly, especially without food in your system to act as a buffer, can also speed up tissue damage in the liver, a common issue associated with alcohol consumption. Binge-drinking could also lead to neurological issues like memory problems or alcohol dependence and addiction. With all these risks associated with binge drinking, its surprising that the belief that drinking alcohol only on weekends is not harmful, is not more widely shunned.
The Problems With Regular Drinking
Despite the risks associated with binge drinking that makes the idea that drinking alcohol only on weekends is not harmful, incorrect, drinking consistently during the week can be just as harmful. Research into the affects of drinking on the body has come to show that regular, long-term drinking can have the same effects on organs like your liver and heart as bingeing does, with a daily drinking habit being even worse for your health than a few splurges in some circumstances.
This is evident in one study into consistent and long-term drinking, which found that consuming alcohol a few days per week puts people at a greater risk for the onset of atrial fibrillation, a heart condition associated with stroke and heart attack, than consuming several drinks in one sitting did. Additionally, chronic alcohol use can contribute to the development of many different mental health conditions or worsen existing psychiatric illnesses, including depressive disorders and anxiety disorders.
Drinking despite these negative effects, whether it be binge drinking or chronic, regular drinking, can develop into what is known as alcohol abuse. Alcohol abuse is what happens when your alcohol use puts your health or safety at risk, when you have problems controlling your drinking, or when you become preoccupied with alcohol and continue to use alcohol even when it causes problems.
Signs That Your Alcohol Consumption Could Become Alcohol Abuse
Finding It Difficult to Stop
If you go out on Saturday and tell yourself you’re only going to have one cocktail only to find that after that one drink, you’re unable to stop, then you may be on the path to abusing alcohol.
This holds true for those that think drinking alcohol only on weekends is not harmful as well, as if you find yourself craving a second, third or even more drinks as time goes by then you’re on your way to proving that the idea that drinking alcohol only on weekends is not harmful, is incorrect.
If you’re struggling to keep your drinking under control, even on weekends, then sometimes the best option is to stop drinking altogether. Taking a break from alcohol, even temporarily, can give you clarity and focus that you need to understand your relationship with alcohol consumption.
Treating Alcohol Like a Reward
As alcohol is often used to celebrate an achievement, you may sometimes find yourself trying to justify why you deserve a drink, such as finishing an important project at work or making it through a stressful week. This is a pattern that can lead to alcohol abuse, relying on the substance as a crutch to get a release of serotonin. Rather than turning to alcohol you should instead try to come up with a new way to reward yourself. For instance, you can buy a ticket to an event or treat yourself to a nice dinner instead of celebrating with alcoholic beverages.
Becoming a Different Person When You Drink
While it is well known that alcohol can bring out a different side of you, it can also cause you to act in ways that can put you, or those around you, in danger.
The belief that drinking alcohol only on weekends is not harmful may lead to binge drinking that can bring you to doing or saying things that go against your better, sober judgement.
For instance, when you’re sober you would probably say no to drinking and driving, however, you may justify getting behind the wheel of a car after a heavy session of weekend binge drinking.
Development of Aggressive Tendencies
Many studies have shown a link between heavy drinking and aggressive, sometimes violent behavior as alcohol can heighten how you respond to certain situations.
For example, if someone makes a rude remark, you may typically blow it off when you’re sober, but when you’re drinking, things can quickly escalate into aggressive behavior, which can put yourself and others at harm and damage your relationships with those close to you.
If you think that drinking alcohol only on weekends is not harmful, but struggle with any of these signs of alcohol abuse, it might be wise to rethink your stance on alcohol consumption, and get help if you think you need support to help change your drinking habits.