How to get out of a binge: what can and can not be done

What is binge

Almost every adult drinks alcohol from time to time. Sometimes circumstances develop in such a way that a person exceeds the alcohol norm for several days in a row. For example, yesterday there was a corporate party, today is the birthday of the best friend, tomorrow just “my head hurts” and my hand reaches for the beer.

This multi-day alcohol abuse is not a binge yet. A real (in medical terminology - a true) hard-drinking Tiganov A. S. (ed.) ‹“Exogenous Mental Disorders”. Alcohol abuse types This situation becomes if you continue to get drunk on a daily basis, even when all the reasons are over. And at the same time you cannot stop.

What is a binge

It is possible to recognize that this is a binge, that is, an exacerbated pathological craving for alcohol, by its spontaneity.

Pseudo-drinking

Depends on external circumstances. It starts in connection with some social reasons: it can be a birthday, a meeting with friends, the end of a difficult work week, a salary. And it ends with them: the “patient” stops drinking on his own, because he has to go to work or drive tomorrow.

This is not exactly a healthy option. But still lighter than a real binge.

True binge

In this case, no reason is needed. A real binge grows out of an inner need.

It is preceded by changes in mood and behavior: the person becomes irritable and sullen, he is fed up with everything, is not interested in anything and does not want to. So the growing pathological craving for alcohol makes itself felt. At some point, the sufferer breaks down and goes into heavy drunkenness for many days.

After a while (from several days to two weeks or longer), the body can not stand it. A person weakens, he has edema, vomiting, diarrhea, cardiac arrhythmias. The craving for alcohol decreases and disappears altogether. This is followed by 3–7 days of the recovery period. And in front of you is again a living, sociable, active person, quite freely getting along without alcohol - until the next "binge" period.

But that's if you're lucky.

Why binge is dangerous

Alcohol is poison, again. Once in the bloodstream, it is pumped by Effects of Alcohol Abuse and What Happens When You Stop Drinking through all organs and tissues - from the liver and kidneys to the brain and heart. The larger the dose and the longer its effect, the stronger the intoxication experienced by the body.

Alcohol is considered the Development of a rational scale to assess the harm of drugs of potential misuse the most dangerous drug in the world in terms of the degree of toxic effect on the body and the strength of withdrawal experienced by an alcoholic who decides to quit.

The most difficult consequence of binge drinking is withdrawal symptoms, which occurs when the body stops receiving the usual doses of ethanol. Withdrawal begins Alcohol Withdrawal: What Happens When You Stop Drinking 6-12 hours after giving up alcohol and makes itself felt:

dizziness;
severe headache;
constant nausea up to vomiting;
an increase in temperature;
anxiety.

In 24–48 hours after alcohol withdrawal, sometimes other unpleasant consequences appear - the more distinct and powerful, the longer the binge lasted. Call an ambulance immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:

excessive sweating;
convulsions;
a sharp increase in blood pressure;
severe vomiting;
cardiac arrhythmia;
clouding of the mind;
loss of consciousness;
the appearance of hallucinations: visual, auditory, tactile. They indicate the development of acute metal-alcoholic psychosis, better known as delirium tremens.

This condition is deadly: it can lead to a stroke, heart attack, respiratory arrest. We will not talk about what a person can do in a state of acute psychosis, accompanied by hallucinations.

When to see a doctor

Given the high risks, it is advisable to get out of the binge under the supervision of a professional narcologist in a specialized clinic. The doctor will prescribe medications to help reduce withdrawal symptoms (note that these are potent substances that can only be obtained with a prescription). And he will monitor the patient's condition in order to start resuscitation on time, if necessary.

However, it is clear that not everyone is ready to spend money on treatment in the clinic. If you are hoping to cope with someone's breakout at home, assess the risks against the following important dimensions.

1. Duration of hard drinking

The binge can last from a couple of days to two or three weeks, or even a month. The longer a person drinks alcohol, the more difficult it will be for his body to cope with the withdrawal syndrome.

If the continuous drunkenness lasts a week or longer, it is better to trust the doctors after all. Otherwise, the consequences can be the most unpleasant.

2. The amount of alcohol consumed

The severity of withdrawal depends on how much alcohol a person drank per day. It is clear that this is a subjective moment and everyone has their own idea of "a lot". So this parameter is more of a warning and informational one. Just understand: the higher the daily dose, the more powerful the withdrawal syndrome will manifest itself and the more serious its consequences can be.

3. Health status

Cardiovascular diseases, previous head injuries, kidney and liver problems are an unequivocal signal that you should not risk a “home” way out of a binge. Seek help from your doctor: it can be life-saving.

How to get out of binge at home

Let us remind you once again that getting out of the binge on your own is a serious risk. If for some reason you decide to turn a blind eye to the danger and undergo abstinence at home, consider the following.

What can you do to get out of the binge

Drink more fluids

Water, tea, juices, fruit drinks. After alcohol abuse, the body is dehydrated, and part of the withdrawal "special effects" is provoked precisely by an acute lack of moisture. In addition, the liquid accelerates the elimination of toxins.

Eating food that normalizes the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract

Fermented milk products and low-fat broth are best suited for these purposes.

Take B vitamins

They are essential for maintaining normal brain function. With alcohol abuse, as a rule, there is a Vitamin B Deficiency From Alcohol Abuse deficiency of vitamins of this group.

Use over-the-counter pain relievers

Ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help relieve pain.

Use over-the-counter sedatives

For example, valerian extract or motherwort tincture. They can help relieve anxiety.

What not to do to get out of the binge

Throw abruptly

The most powerful withdrawal syndrome occurs against the background of a sharp and complete refusal to alcohol. To make abstinence softer, it is advisable to get out of the binge gradually, reducing the dose to zero within 2-3 days.

Switch to sports

People who quit drinking are often encouraged to move more to improve circulation and speed up the elimination of alcohol from the body. But for getting out of the binge, this recommendation is not suitable. In this state, the body is weakened, and the heart and blood vessels are already undergoing a serious load. Don't finish them off with a jog or squat.

Take a contrast shower

Excessive alcohol consumption disturbed the vascular tone. By arranging additional stress for the vessels in the form of alternating ice and hot water, it is possible to bring the matter to the most unpleasant consequences, including a heart attack.

Take medications without paying attention to the instructions

To get rid of a headache, a person can start using the same paracetamol in handfuls, finishing it off with sedatives and anti-hangover agents. This whole cocktail hits the liver, which is already overloaded.

Do not go to the doctor, even if it is really bad

Watch for symptoms. If suddenly it becomes completely uncomfortable, vomiting does not stop, the heart jumps out of the chest and in general it seems as if you are dying, call an ambulance immediately. Do not even try to "endure" this state.