The holidays are a time to celebrate with family and friends. As people get into the spirit, this often means that drinking increases. While sipping on a drink throughout the course of the meal usually isn’t problematic, having multiple drinks in a short period of time (also known as binge drinking) can be.
The body can only process about one standard drink per hour. Consuming multiple drinks overwhelms your system and can be very dangerous. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “One in six U.S. adults binge drinks about four times a month, consuming about eight drinks per binge.” This much alcohol can:
- Contribute to liver disease and eventually cirrhosis of the liver, which can cause the liver to shut down.
- Impair decision making increasing risk of getting into an accident, becoming injured, or making risky choices.
- Lead to nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and poor balance and coordination.
Binge drinking can also lead to alcohol poisoning. This occurs when there is too much alcohol in your bloodstream and your body starts shutting down. Symptoms include:
- Seizures
- Slow or irregular breathing
- Low body temperature
- Confusion
- Blacking out or falling into a coma
- No gag reflex
- Vomiting
Without immediate medical help, alcohol can be potential fatal. Recognizing the signs that someone may have a problem with alcoholism can save their life.
Northbound assists individuals in seeking treatment for themselves or a loved one so that they can turn their life around and embrace recovery. Addiction treatment is not a journey that clients go through alone. They are surrounded by support and a treatment plan that meets their individual needs and helps them establish a meaningful life beyond addiction. Drinking is not the only way to celebrate or have a good time. Clients learn healthy alternatives and find enjoyment in sobriety. If drinking has become problematic this holiday season, turn to Northbound to find help along every step of the way.
If your drinking has gotten out of hand, don’t put off getting help. Contact Northbound today and get on the road to recovery.
Author
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Paul Alexander is the CEO, President & Founder of Northbound Treatment Network in Newport Beach, California. He believes wholeheartedly in transformational leadership, organizational health and effective, fully integrated substance use disorder and mental health treatment. With over 27 years of experience in behavioral healthcare, Paul has extensive knowledge of “in vivo” treatment modalities, clinical development, operations, strategy, marketing and financial planning. He has been widely recognized for his development of collegiate-based residential treatment programs for students in recovery and authored a research study at The University of California confirming this modality’s effectiveness.
Paul’s comprehensive professional experience, willingness to innovate, and emphasis on organizational health are vital factors in Northbound’s continued success. Paul received his Certified Addiction Treatment Specialist training at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, CA, and was awarded Outstanding Alumni Service Award in 2002. Paul holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology, Law and Society, Summa Cum Laude, from University of California, Irvine, and a Juris Doctorate degree from Loyola Law School of Los Angeles. Paul currently serves on The National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP) board. In addition, he serves on The Family Recovery Foundation board and The CarePossible board in Orange County; both organizations are committed to raising funds for family recovery and treatment for former military personnel. Paul is in recovery himself and lives in Orange County with his wife Silvana and his two young sons, Noah and Dean.
