A warning has been issued to those who like to enjoy a drink or nine on the weekends.
Many of us like to welcome the weekend with our favourite alcoholic drink of choice, but if you regularly knock back a few too many that’s binge drinking and it is bad news for your body.
In a clip shared on TikTok channel @medexplained2you, one bloke reveals the name given to those who tend to over indulge at the weekend, while also pointing out that it can be as bad for you as drinking daily.
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In the clip, he explains: “Do you drink alcohol, but only on the weekend? You probably don’t consider yourself a heavy drinker, seeing as it’s only two days a week, but we in the medical business would call you a Weekend Warrior.”
Now, while it may sound cool, it most certainly is not - as he goes on to explain.
He goes on: “Turns out, being a weekend warrior is just as bad - if not worse - than being a chronic, daily alcohol drinker.
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“It destroys your liver and wreaks havoc on your body.” Yikes.
Binge drinking is ‘drinking heavily over a short space of time’, according to the NHS or, as charity Drinkaware puts it, ‘drinking to get drunk’.
Our livers can only process one unit of alcohol per hour, so if you’re knocking back more than this you can end up drunk pretty quickly.
The NHS recommends that people drink no more than 14 units per week; for context, a pint of normal strength beer, lager or cider (3.6 percent ABV) is about two units and a single 25ml shot of a 40 percent spirit - such as vodka, gin or rum - is one unit.
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If you are going to drink 14 units in a week, the NHS recommends that you spread them out evenly across ‘three or more days’ and to make sure you have several alcohol-free days.
According to the Centres for Disease Control (CDC), binge drinking can cause numerous problems, including an increase in unintentional injuries, such as falling; memory problems; and chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, and liver disease.
You can find an alcohol or drug service in your local area or use the following information to get support:
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With You provides a range of support for alcohol, drugs and mental health via a local service or online. These are free and confidential services and include the following:
- Drinkline provides advice for anyone who is worried about their own or someone else’s drinking – phone 0800 731 4314, available Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm and Saturday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm
- Alcohol Helpline can provide advice and support if you’re over 50 and are worried about your own or someone else’s drinking – book an appointment online or phone 0808 801 0750, Monday to Friday, 12pm to 8pm and Saturday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm
- Know The Score provides support if you’ve taken drugs, are thinking of taking them, or are just curious and want to know more – use their webchat or phone 0800 587 5879, Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm and Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 4pm
Topics: Health, Food And Drink
Claire Reid