The Effects of Binge Drinking on Women

Alcohol Awareness Month this April draws attention to the risks of alcohol. Because of this, I will explain the effects that binge drinking has on women. It is an alarming practice that is growing in the United States, and can lead to many problems, both socially and health wise. This is especially true in women who are pregnant or who are planning on becoming pregnant in the near future. Binge drinking is unsafe for men and women alike, but the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is bringing the effects of binge drinking on women to the forefront this year.

What is binge drinking? The CDC explains binge drinking for women as having 4 or more drinks in succession per day. This may not sound like a lot to many, but this amount of consumption is the cause of 32 deaths each day, totaling 11,500 deaths per year in women alone. A study conducted by the CDC in 2009 found that 1 in 10 women admitted to binge drinking in the 30 days prior to the study, drinking 6 drinks per day, which of course, is past the threshold for binge drinking.

Among the risks of binge drinking in women is the higher risk of sexual assault, especially in younger women who are in college. The risk of sexual assault increases when the woman and the perpetrator are both under the influence of alcohol. The threat of attack also goes up dramatically when the woman is not in control from drinking alcohol. This can also bring the risk of STD’s to higher risk. The likelihood of having unprotected sex more often because of poor thinking while drinking excessively increases.

The long term effects of alcohol binging can have more serious health effects for women. Binge drinking can increase a woman’s risk of cancer, including cancer of the mouth, breast, and colon. It can also cause cirrhosis of the liver. Women will also be at higher risk for a heart attack and stroke because of the damage to the heart muscle that is more prominent in women.

The solution is to stop binge drinking. If you feel you have a drinking problem, speak with your doctor about options that will help. These options may include joining a support group, working with a counselor, or getting assistance through an alcohol treatment center. Do keep in mind that no alcohol should be consumed when pregnant ever! Fetal alcohol diseases are 100% avoidable by just not consuming alcohol at all.