Confronting the Weekend Warrior Mentality: A Brief Insight into Binge Drinking
As a society, we’ve often found ways to justify certain behaviors, particularly those associated with drinking alcohol. It’s not uncommon to hear someone say, “I don’t have a problem with alcohol, I only drink on weekends.”
This weekend warrior mentality appears harmless on the surface. After all, they’re not drinking every day, right? But, delving deeper, this self-justification hides a dangerous reality of binge drinking that could lead to severe health problems.
Binge drinking or consuming large quantities of alcohol in a short duration isn’t confined to weekend warriors. It can happen from hour to hour. Having two drinks in an hour qualifies as binging. The concept that binging is just a weekend activity is a false narrative.
This form of harmful drinking plays a significant part in escalating your body’s tolerance to alcohol, often leading to increased consumption over time.
The deception runs deeper when you convince yourself that having 15 drinks over a weekend is okay. But consider this, between 4 pm and midnight, 15 drinks equate to nearly 2 drinks an hour. That’s a lot of alcohol consumed too quickly. It’s not just about getting drunk or blacking out. It’s about consciously ingesting a neurotoxin in large quantities, which is equivalent to overdosing.
Maintaining a job, paying bills, and seemingly leading a normal life doesn’t validate the unhealthy consumption of alcohol. Often, 80% of your problems can be resolved by abstaining from alcohol. Alcohol not only clouds your judgment and decision-making capabilities but also contributes directly to several physical and mental health problems. Drinking less could mean facing fewer problems.
In conclusion, if you identify with this narrative, know that you’re not alone. As an ex-alcoholic and a liver failure survivor, I understand the struggle and the journey to recovery.
If you need support or someone who can relate to your experience, don’t hesitate to reach out. Let’s turn the tide together, one less drink at a time.
