Is Binge Drinking the Same as Alcoholism?

One of the defining factors of binge drinking is that it happens over a relatively short span of time. Because binge drinking is not formally defined by the American Psychiatric Association, there are no strict diagnostic criteria.

That said, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health defines it as five or more drinks for men or four or more for women on the same occasion at least once in the past month.

Binge drinking on its own is not enough to warrant a diagnosis of alcohol use disorder, and in fact most people who binge drink are not dependent on alcohol. But people who binge drink regularly are far more likely to be diagnosed with one than those who don't. No single amount of drinking triggers a diagnosis by itself. These disorders develop based on how alcohol affects a person's life, including how well they can control their drinking and whether they can still function day to day.

The statistics are significant. About one in six U.S. adults, roughly 17 percent, binge drinks, and among those who do, about a quarter binge at least once a week, typically putting away five to six drinks on an occasion. Binge drinking is most common among adults aged 18 to 34 and is about twice as common in men as in women. It also makes up the bulk of excessive drinking overall: more than 90 percent of U.S. adults who drink report drinking excessively.

Binge drinking can lead to serious complications. To reach a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 g/dL, men typically consume five or more drinks in about two hours and women around four. That alone is hard on the body in the short term, but the broader costs are striking too. Excessive drinking cost the United States about $249 billion in 2010, the most recent figure the CDC has published, and binge drinking accounted for roughly 77 percent of that, spread across lost workplace productivity, health care, and criminal justice expenses.

Any amount of alcohol can affect the body and mind, and a regular binge pattern tends to show up in daily life. People who binge drink often struggle with school or work performance, and strain with friends and family is more common. Binge drinking also carries a higher risk of accidents from impairment and legal trouble stemming from reckless or risky behavior.

Binge drinking's physical risks include a higher chance of several cancers, liver disease, high blood pressure, stroke, a weakened immune system, and learning and memory problems, alongside mental health effects like depression and anxiety. Repeated heavy episodes also raise the odds of injuries and accidents while impaired.

A lot of people who binge drink don't realize anything is wrong. They might assume that going hard at happy hour every Friday is normal, or that they're fine because they don't drink daily. Drinking too much, even now and then, can signal trouble. That's especially true when someone heads out planning on a drink or two and ends up with five or six.

Some warning signs point to a developing binge drinking problem. If friends and family raise concerns about someone's drinking, it's worth hearing them out and listening without getting defensive. The people close to someone who drinks too much often see it long before that person admits it. Other signs include missing obligations because of alcohol or having blackouts while drinking.

Anyone who suspects their drinking has gotten out of hand is encouraged to talk with a health professional experienced in addiction. These practitioners can run an assessment and advise on how to proceed, and they may recommend one or more treatment options depending on the situation. Medications can reduce the urge to drink, and behavioral therapy and support groups make a difference too. For free, confidential support any time of day, the SAMHSA National Helpline is 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

People who recognize the pattern early and address it may be able to stop before other trouble takes hold. A large share of those who binge drink are teenagers and young adults; when the behavior carries into adulthood, the risk of developing a severe alcohol use disorder or lasting damage climbs.