Is it normal to drink every weekend

Women may be at even greater risk than men, because they metabolize alcohol differently. Molina PE, et al. When a person drinks more than their body can metabolize at one time, alcohol builds up in their bloodstream and suppresses vital functions like breathing and heart rate. Binge-drinking could also lead to scary stuff like memory problems or alcohol addiction, warns Nasir H.

Alcohol makes you more impulsive, so you may be more prone to tipsy texting, regrettable or unsafe hookups, and unhealthy late-night bites. Regular, long-term drinking can have the same effects on organs like your liver and heart as bingeing does.

Sometimes a daily drinking habit can be even worse for your health than a few splurges. One study found that drinking a few days per week put people at greater risk for new onset of atrial fibrillation a heart condition associated with stroke and heart attack than consuming several drinks in one sitting did.

Kim YG, et al. Frequent drinking is a more important risk factor for new-onset atrial fibrillation than binge drinking: A nationwide population-based study. A final piece of bad news about drinking too much: Nasty hangovers are pretty much unavoidable. Gunn C, et al. A systematic review of the next-day effects of heavy alcohol consumption on cognitive performance. That said, less is definitely more: Having one drink or half a drink fairly regularly does seem to reduce the risk for heart attack, stroke, and diabetes, says Moore.

It may up your dating game too. Having a single glass of wine but no more may make you appear more attractive to other people. Van Den Abbeele J, et al. Increased facial attractiveness following moderate, but not high, alcohol consumption. For some people, including those with heart conditions, even a glass or two might be overdoing it.

A recent study finds that moderate drinking — 7 to 13 glasses a week — increases the risk for high blood pressure. Moderate alcohol consumption linked with high blood pressure. Those with memory issues should pay attention too. Research shows that Brits who pounded back just a beer or two a day — 8 to 12 a week — had more shrinkage in their hippocampus, a region of the brain involved with learning and memory.

These are some of the stigmas often associated with an individual who struggles with alcohol abuse. However, this is far from true. So, what if you only drink on weekends? In fact, binge drinking is defined as men who consume more than four drinks in two to three hours, and women who consume three drinks over the same timeframe. For example, you may decide to kick off the weekend with a beer, wine or other mixed drink of your choice.

What starts off as one drink soon leads to another, and another after that. Before you know it, casual drinking turns sloppy. Binge drinking on weekends can be harmful to your health. From insomnia to liver problems and trouble breathing, alcohol affects your body in many different ways. Additionally, drinking a large amount of alcohol in a short period of time can trigger symptoms of alcohol poisoning or an alcohol-related coma.

While excessive drinking does not always turn into an addiction, it increases your risk of developing a dependency on alcohol. The line between alcoholism and weekend binge drinking can be blurry, leaving some unsure of when to seek help. I think that has some very important implications. An estimated 10 percent of adults across the nation have an alcohol-use disorder, also known as alcoholism.

However, nearly one-third of Americans can be classified as excessive drinkers. Although going out for a few drinks with your friends seems innocent, it can quickly get out of control. Rather than stopping when you should, the weekend warrior in you continues drinking. Do you know when too much is enough? Here are five key signs of a potential weekend drinking problem.

Instead, you may find yourself craving a second, third or even more drinks as time goes by. Taking a break from alcohol — even temporarily — can give you clarity and focus. Alcohol is often used to celebrate an achievement. Research on university students found that they were less able to handle complex tasks even days after binge-drinking. Alcohol is a sedative, so your body fights against it by increasing natural stimulants, affecting your slumber after the booze largely leaves your system.

There can be similar effects on mood and anxiety. Alcohol affects your cardiovascular system, with heavier drinkers at higher risk of heart disease, hypertension and stroke. Conigrave says that a single episode of binge-drinking can lead to heart rhythm disorder, atrial fibrillation. A recent study showed that people were more likely to suffer from it the more they drank on one occasion.

Then there are behavioural effects. People are more vulnerable to falls and injury when lots of alcohol is involved. Miller says that falling over drunk is as common a reason as assault for going to hospital emergency. Even light drinkers are at increased risk of high blood pressure , cognitive decline and cancer.

Keep in mind that for the toxin to be cleared from the body, it must be processed into an even more toxic substance, acetaldehyde a cousin of formaldehyde. The bottom line?

The best option is to follow the guidelines of no more than four standard drinks a day, and a maximum 10 over a week. And try to take at least a couple of nights off through the week.