By: Lakeview Health
Binge drinking is far more than just enjoying a glass or two of wine in the evenings or knocking back a couple of cocktails on occasion. Binge drinking is defined as excessive alcohol use, and it is when individuals consume four or more alcoholic beverages in under two hours. Unfortunately, binging on alcohol is increasingly common, especially in teens and young adults. The following are some of the signs that parents can look for to see if their children are binge drinking. When parents begin to notice these signs, it’s time to consider seeking out help from an alcohol rehab program.
Drinking is Tied to Emotions
One sign of binge drinking is tying emotions to alcohol. Someone who consumes alcohol in large quantities not to be sociable, but instead to self-medicate after a loss or to celebrate after a success, might be displaying early signs of alcoholism. Your son or daughter may be binging drinking if they drink to:
- Deal with a break-up
- Recover from a stressful workday
- Handle rejection at a job interview
- Celebrate a project completion
- Reduce anxiety in social settings
Failure to Show up to Important Events
Teens or young adults who binge on alcohol are more likely to miss important events because of intoxication or even a hangover. Individuals who miss things like a job interview, a wedding, or a family function may be displaying signs of consuming too much alcohol in one sitting. It is perfectly alright to ask a child about the reason behind their absence. If the answer has to do with drinking, attending a late-night party, or staying out too late with friends, even when accompanied by a laugh or a protest that doing so is normal, it could be a sign of alcohol abuse.
Lowered Success at School or Work
One simple way to uncover binge drinking in teens and adults alike is to track performance. That’s because excessive alcohol consumption is often what accompanies a steady drop in grades or a poor performance review at work. It is not always easy to tell whether poor performance increased the alcohol consumption or if the alcohol consumption resulted in poor performance. Either way, it is an issue that should be addressed.
Lack of Memory After a Party
Enjoying a great night with friends and some alcohol, for those over the age of 21, is a typical part of socializing for young adults. However, blacking out is a clear sign of binge drinking. If your child can’t remember much about the party, or their memory fades after a certain time, then you can be relatively certain that they consumed too much alcohol.
Blaming Poor Life Decisions on Alcohol
One big warning sign of binging on alcohol is when individuals blame poor life decisions on drinking. This can be both a clear display of alcohol over-consumption and a warning that they don’t see binging as a serious problem.
Binge Drinking and Alcohol Abuse Treatment at Lakeview Health
If you’re a parent or guardian who has noticed these signs of binge drinking in your child, consider taking the proper steps to find them help today. Turn to the trusted team of Lakeview Health to help your child and your family heal from binge drinking and alcohol abuse. Our addiction treatment programs provide the necessary care and support your teen and family need to heal and recover from alcohol abuse.
To begin with treatment, contact Lakeview Health today by calling [Direct]. Let us help your teen and your family recover from alcohol abuse and addiction today.
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