MHM Magazine

Whether it’s celebrations, cultural gatherings or drinks after work, alcohol is viewed as the cornerstone of relaxation and enjoyment by many South Africans. However, if a person regularly consumes several drinks in one sitting, they may need to reconsider their relationship with alcohol. Binge drinking often goes unrecognised as an addiction problem because alcohol is so entrenched in South African society and consuming it in larger quantities is often considered relatively ‘normal’. High levels of alcohol consumption are seen across the board in our country, from the dinner tables of the most wealthy and privileged to those who head straight to the tavern with their weekly wages. Drinking several beers, shooters or glasses of wine within a short time frame is often accepted as the norm. People who drink heavily on some occasions and abstain from alcohol the rest of the time may believe they don’t have a drinking problem. However, binge drinking is a form of alcoholism and can have deeply negative effects on their overall health, from heart conditions and cancer to a variety of mental health problems. HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH? Binge drinking can be defined for women as four or more drinks and for men, five or more drinks in one day, which to many may sound like the standard alcohol consumption at any weekend braai. I’s not unusual to steer clear of alcohol during the week but then regularly overindulge on the weekend, but it is a dangerous practice. Binge drinking can be worse for a person’s health than regular moderate consumption as it’s a shock to their system. No amount of alcohol is healthy – it is an addictive substance and one of the hardest substances to stop using. Alcoholism is a progressive illness, so what seems harmless at first can evolve into something more serious down the line and it’s crucial to be aware of red flags that signal a problem, particularly in societies that are desensitised to binge drinking. Binge drinking includes extreme behaviour – just as one would consider it extreme to eat healthily all week and then have five slices of cake in one go, after telling oneself that they would only have one. However, if they find they have reached their satiation point with By Graeme Hart Addiction Counsellor at Netcare Akeso Stepping Stones DON’T LOSE BALANCE TO BINGE DRINKING - SEVEN QUESTIONS FOR SELF-REFLECTION MHM | 2024 | Volume 11 | Issue 4 | Don’t lose balance to binge drinking - Seven Questions for Self-Reflection MHM Issue 4 | 2024 | MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS | 21 MHM