Reasons People Binge Drink Around the Holidays

When it comes to special occasions such as Christmas and New Year’s, alcohol consumption can be a problem. Special events like these are precursors to overindulge; after all, it only comes around once a year. For many this is justification enough to party.

Drunk Guy

Social Activities

Family gatherings and work-related parties are the biggest reasons people drink this time of year. For many it’s a stressful time. It feels only  natural to relieve the stress by having some alcohol to curb anxiety. Meeting old friends or dealing with certain family members collectively become a big lot of excuses to get drunk. For those who don’t have family around, loneliness becomes an excuse to drink.

Depression

The Holiday blues and seasonal depression may come up, triggering people to use. Christmas can feel like a lonely time. People often get nostalgic and sentimental this time of year and these feelings cause emotional uneasiness. Drinking takes the edge off. The commercialization of Christmas can make some depressed as well.  Advertisers spend tons of money on marketing products and it can make people feel as if they must shop and buy gifts even if they don’t have the funds.

Ambulance

How Bad Is Binge Drinking?

The effects of binge drinking has are numerous. Excessive alcohol consumption can cause accidents and injuries, especially behind the wheel of a car. Alcohol-related fatalities typically spike this time of year. Binge drinking is also bad for your health. It can damage the liver, heart and brain. Additionally, you might humiliate yourself in front of friends and family and do crazy things you may regret later on. Alcohol is a depressant so it fuels depression at a time when it already might be a problem.  

New Year’s Resolutions

While it may sound like the right idea on paper, making a new year’s resolution can be a big downfall. For anyone with a substance abuse problem, the time to act is now. When a person tells themselves they will modify their behavior at a later date, they are procrastinating.  In fact, the problem may even get worse. Thinking they are going to quit using, the person  may binge even harder. Thoughts of “having one last go around” with using has led many people into overdose. The risks of harm to a person’s health and well-being become elevated. The person may have good intentions and instead they end up in an emergency room.  

Binge Drinking

Serious Consequences

Binge drinking can certainly lead to alcoholism. This is perhaps the biggest risk involved when people drink excessively. Alcohol kills 88,000 people annually. It is by far the biggest killer of any drug out there. Alcoholism lowers a person’s life expectancy by 10 years on average according to the same data. People usually build a tolerance to alcohol and so they use more to achieve the same effect. From this is a host of withdrawal symptoms associated too. These include shaking, delirium tremens, heart irregularities, sweating, strokes and seizures. Coming down can be life threatening depending on the severity of the addiction.

Getting Help

If you find yourself in a position where drug and alcohol abuse is badly affecting your life don’t delay. Call one of our addiction specialists a 1-855-646-8505 today. The program at Narconon specializes in the holistic treatment of substance abuse disorders. Our approach has helped thousands recover from a seemingly hopeless state. Act now to avoid damages incurred by using drugs or alcohol.

AUTHOR

Troy

I am a graduate of the Narconon program currently working for Narconon Arrowhead as Director of Promotion and Marketing.

NARCONON ARROWHEAD

DRUG EDUCATION AND REHABILITATION