It's no secret that many people tend to consume more booze over the festive period. It's the time of year where you get invited to multiple Christmas parties and 'catch ups' - and then of course there's New Year.
These social gatherings and events can quickly pile up, and before you know it you find yourself spending a big chunk of December on the ale.
Now while of course there is a lot of fun to be had when drinking, it's important to think about the impact it's having on your body. The effects of consuming large amounts of alcohol can be devastating - both in the short term and long term if you over-do it.
What is binge drinking?
According to the NHS binge drinking is when someone drinks heavily over a short period of time or drinks to get drunk. For men, more than eight units of alcohol in one session is viewed as binge drinking while for women it is six.
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What are the effects?
Accidents and falls – An excessive amount of alcohol in your blood stream can cause your body to not function properly. This can cause your balance and co-ordination to be affected and even death in some extreme cases.
Overdosing – Too much alcohol in your body can cause you to stop breathing or stopping your heart. You could also choke on your vomit.
Mood and memory – A symptom of a hangover is not remembering the events of the night before. Blackouts can occur after a session of heavy drinking and it can also lead to some serious mental health problems.
Long term effects – People who find themselves frequently drinking large amounts of alcohol can develop an alcohol addiction. Research has also found a link between alcohol with cancer and heart disease.
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How to avoid binge drinking
Start drinking later on in the day
Only drinking with meals
Replace an alcoholic drink with an alcohol-free one
Try setting a drink or spending limit
Avoid 'pre-drinks' or loading your fridge with alcohol before heading out to drink
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