We can all be a little greedy at times. Whether it is a favorite food or a stockpile of dollars, sometimes enough isn’t enough and we just want more. When that “more” involves alcohol, we get to move straight from a casual beer with friends right into binge drinking, and for plenty of people, that’s an “okay” place to be. Since binge drinking is defined as more than five drinks in a few hours for men (four for women), not everyone even realizes they are binge drinking. They’re just having fun at happy hour or partying with friends.
But, did you know that binge drinking can or will increase your:
- Blood pressure.
- Alcohol tolerance.
- Risk of sexually transmitted diseases.
- Chances of a DUI and car breathalyzer requirement.
And, that binge drinking can or will decrease your:
- Liver function.
- Stockpile of money.
- Freedom to drive after a DUI.
More people are falling into the “binge drinker” category of alcohol consumers than before, and while it may seem normal to toss back several drinks when out at a bar, that’s not a standard anyone should try to meet or exceed. In fact, with all of the risks of binge drinking an consuming alcohol in general, it makes more sense to develop a healthy relationship with your favorite microbrew (and never, ever drink and drive), rather than stumble with the binge drinking crowd.
People drink alcohol for a variety of reasons, and with that decision comes a responsibility to be safe with your own body, as well as the lives of others you may encounter. Being greedy has its limits, and so should the amount of alcohol that we consume. Otherwise, you’re just a binge drinker looking for trouble, and the odds are that you’ll quickly find a lot more of that than you’d ever really want.