Health experts are warning about the dangers of high-intensity binge drinking, a more extreme form of binge drinking that occurs in a single sitting, according to Newsweek.
While binge drinking is typically defined as consuming four or more drinks for women and five or more drinks for men over time, high-intensity binge drinking involves consuming at least twice that amount in one sitting. This means a woman would need to drink at least eight alcoholic beverages, and a man would need to drink at least 10, on a single occasion to qualify, the outlet noted. This excessive drinking commonly develops in the 20s and greatly raises the risk of alcohol poisoning, long-term health problems, and other serious consequences.
Health experts are particularly concerned that this dangerous drinking habit will spike during the holiday season, as many people increase their alcohol consumption at family gatherings and festive events. One study found that high-intensity drinking is more common during special occasions and holidays, especially those celebrated with friends, such as New Year's Eve and Fourth of July.
Karen Tyrell, CEO of the charity Drinkaware, broke this bad habit down further to Newsweek, explaining that high-intensity drinking can be extremely dangerous as our "bodies can only process roughly one unit of alcohol an hour or even "less" for some individuals.
"By drinking a lot quickly, the amount of alcohol in your bloodstream can stop your body from working properly," Tyrell said. "This puts you at serious risk of accidents, alcohol poisoning, and other short- and long-term health issues. Don't do it."
A 2018 study highlighted the significant risks associated with high-intensity drinking, which include alcohol-related injuries, alcohol poisoning, risky sexual behavior, and vomiting among other dangers. In one study involving 15,000 college students, researchers found that the frequency of binge drinking significantly increased the likelihood of negative alcohol-related outcomes. Specifically, students who binge drank three or more times in two weeks were twice as likely to experience alcohol-induced memory loss (54% vs. 27%), engage in unprotected sex (20% vs. 10%), participate in unplanned sex (42% vs. 22%), and suffered injuries (27% vs. 11%) compared to students who binge drank only once or twice in the same period. Both groups had a 1% risk of requiring medical treatment for an overdose, the study noted.
Some studies have also begun to explore the long-term effects of high-intensity binge drinking. For instance, a 2021 study examined the relationship between high-intensity binge drinking (defined as consuming two to three times the typical binge drinking level) and factors contributing to alcohol use disorder (AUD). The study involved 429 adults with AUD and 413 without, analyzing their drinking habits and assessing factors like incentive salience (the tendency to focus on alcohol-related cues), negative emotionality (such as depression or anxiety), and executive function.
The results showed that in adults with AUD, higher depression ratings and more time spent thinking about alcohol were linked to a greater likelihood of high-intensity binge drinking, as well as increased frequency and quantity of binge drinking. In both individuals with and without AUD, incentive salience was associated with high-intensity binge drinking. However, negative emotionality appeared to be a consequence rather than a cause of high-intensity binge drinking in those with AUD.
Research from the National Center for Drug Abuse and Statistics revealed that alcohol poisoning deaths are most common among middle-aged men. Each year, approximately 2,200 people die from alcohol poisoning. However, the majority of deaths linked to excessive alcohol consumption are due to long-term effects, particularly alcoholic liver disease. While cancer and stroke are also associated with heavy drinking, they are less frequent causes of death compared to liver-related conditions.
To prevent high-intensity binge drinking during the holidays, it's important to set personal limits and pace yourself by alternating alcoholic drinks with water. Avoid environments where excessive drinking is encouraged, and surround yourself with supportive friends and family who respect your boundaries. Focus on non-drinking activities, like games or outdoor fun, and eat before drinking to slow alcohol absorption.