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According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) more than 32 women die daily due to alcohol related deaths.
This year, the CDC’s campaign raises awareness about the negative effects of binge drinking. For women, consuming more than four alcoholic drinks in one sitting is defined as binge drinking. Annually, more than 11,500 women will die as a result of binge drinking.
The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends only one alcoholic drink per day for women.
Results from a 2009 CDC study reported the following:
• One out of every 10 women reported binge drinking during the past 30 days
• Binge drinking women said they engaged in risky behavior at least three times per month
• Women binge drinkers consumed almost six drinks per drinking occasion
During alcohol consumption, the effects of alcohol occur faster and last longer in women compared to men. Also, when compared to men, women tend to have higher levels of alcohol in their system.
Compared to men, it takes longer for women to detox and breakdown alcohol from their bodies. Also, alcohol breaks down slower for women who take birth control bills. For women on birth control pills, binge drinking may result in greater alcohol impairment.
Health and social issues are a result of binge drinking. For example, breast cancer, heart disease and stroke are few of the health risks related to binge drinking.
During pregnancy women should never drink alcohol. Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, brain damage and other health issues are all possible results due to drinking alcohol during pregnancy. Also, women should not drink alcohol if they plan on becoming pregnant.
During binge drinking women tend to have an increased risk for accidents. For example, the National Institute of Health (NIH) states alcohol is a factor in the following:
• 60 percent of fatal burn injuries, drowning and homicides
• 50 percent of severe trauma injuries and sexual assaults
• 40 percent of fatal motor vehicle crashes, suicides, and fatal falls
If you or someone you care about has an excessive drinking issue, contact your health care provider. Also, listed are several sources which can provide additional information on excessive drinking issues:
• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) www.aa.org
• Al-Anon Family Groups www.al-anon.alateen.org
• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) www.niaaa.nih.gov
• College Drinking: Changing the Culture (NIAAA) www.collegedrinkingprevention.gov
• Stop Underage Drinking: Portal of Federal Resources www.stopalcoholabuse.gov
• Underage Drinking: Talk Early - Talk Often - Get Others Involved: SAMHSA-NIAAA and Ad Councils http://underagedrinking.samhsa.gov
• The Surgeon General's Call to Action To Prevent and Reduce Underage Drinking www.surgeongeneral.gov/topics/underagedrinking
• Center for Disease Control: Alcohol and Public Health www.cdc.gov/Alcohol
• American Medical Association http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/physician-resources/public-health/promoting-healthy-lifestyles/alcohol-other-drug-abuse.page
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) www.samhsa.gov
• Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth www.camy.org
Sources:
http://www.cdc.gov/Features/AlcoholAwareness/?s_cid=fb801
http://rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov/WhatsTheHarm/WhatAreTheRisks.asp
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