Is It Alcohol Abuse If You Only Binge Drink on the Weekends?
Your body and mind don’t know the difference between a Saturday and a Tuesday. When it comes to alcohol abuse and alcoholism, these disorders are just as harmful over the weekend as they are during the work week. However, since the weekend is commonly viewed as a time when we can let off steam, it’s as if the laws of biology no longer apply.
Someone who abstains from alcohol from Monday morning to Friday afternoon might very easily be a weekend alcoholic or binge drinker. In fact, consuming so much alcohol in so little time can potentially be more dangerous than what we typically envision alcoholism to be.
Binge Drinking on Weekends
As far as we know, roughly 10 percent of U.S. adults struggle with alcoholism. On top of that, about one-third of American adults drink amounts of alcohol deemed to be “excessive.” The threshold is probably lower than you imagine:
For men, consuming four drinks in less than three hours is considered binge drinking.
For women, the drink total is only three drinks in less than three hours.
Suddenly, that Friday night happy hour doesn’t seem harmless, huh? Binge drinking can lead to addiction, but even when it doesn’t, it comes with risks like:
Chronic breathing issues
Insomnia
Liver problems
Alcohol poisoning or coma
So, how do you know when you’re drinking too much on the weekends?
Signs That It Is Alcohol Abuse If You Only Binge Drink on the Weekends
It’s a “Reward”
Do you justify heavy drinking because you feel you “earned” it? You worked hard all week, and now it’s time to bust loose. You accomplished a goal and “deserve” to celebrate. Rationales like this have the potential to brush past other issues. A drink or two on a Saturday night can usually be justified. But it’s a slippery slope once you start feeling entitled to a “buzz.”
You Have Trouble Stopping
You tell yourself you’ll have one drink and you won’t need more to have fun. But it’s reached a point where you can’t stop. You can’t say no when someone offers to buy a round. Things have escalated from a release to a craving.
Guilt
You talked yourself into a “reward” and then couldn’t stop once you started. As a result, you awaken the next day experiencing guilt, shame, and remorse. You’ve let yourself down, and that feels worse than the physical hangover.
You Have a “Drunk Personality”
Each weekend, your big drinking exposes a side of you that is much different from who you are when sober. This is not only a red flag in terms of alcohol abuse, but it can put you and others in danger, e.g.:
You get aggressive and maybe violent.
Drinking and driving has become the norm.
You’re neglecting friends, family, and other relationships.
Drinking has caused you to not prioritize your health and hygiene.
Your work performance is getting worse and worse.
You’re spending more money than you can afford to spend on alcohol.
Possible Self-Help Steps
Make other plans. Stay busy and practice saying no when invited to venues that involve drinking. You might even want to shift your work schedule, if possible, so you’re not off on weekends.
Commit to exercise and healthy eating. Choices like this make it more obvious when you make unhealthy decisions.
Consider re-imaging your social circle. Spend time with people who bring out the best in you.
If you or a loved one might be struggling with alcohol abuse or binge drinking, it is absolutely essential that you consult a mental health professional. The earlier you catch the behavior, the easier it is to turn things around.