You’ve been working hard all week, and finally it’s the weekend. You’re ready to get your party on and drink as much vodka and gins or glasses of vino as your little liver can handle…

Could you be a binge drinker and just what is all of this drinking doing to your body?

Binge drinking means drinking past the point where you feel comfortable and in control, to the point where your head starts to spin and you start to really wish you’d never had that last drink. There are endless numbers of reasons why binge drinking is bad for you and we’ve done the investigation on this widespread condition to find you the facts and to teach you how to know your limits.

Binge drinking results in heavy intoxication and can lead to people putting themselves in dangerous situations and taking risks with their health and wellbeing. Common short term effects include headaches, nausea, shakiness and possible vomiting and memory loss.
 

There are also many long terms effects and risks to take into consideration. People can become physically and psychologically dependent upon alcohol. Their body gets used to functioning with alcohol present and/or drinking can become more important than other activities in their life. Over time, alcohol can damage parts of the body, including the brain and liver. There are also the risks of developing emotional problems, such as depression, and problems at school, work and with relationships.
 

How to prevent binge drinking

• Start with a non-alcoholic drink
• Drink slowly. Take sips, not gulps
• Remember that 'alco-pops’' (sweet-flavoured pre-mixed drinks) often mask the taste of the alcohol, but they do not mask the effects
• Try the low-alcohol alternative
• Eat before or while drinking, and avoid salty snacks, which make you thirsty
• Have one drink at a time so you can keep track of your drinks—avoid 'topping up'
• Pace yourself
• Stay busy — don't just sit and drink
• Have at least two alcohol-free days a week
• Be assertive — don't be pressured into drinking more than you want or intend to