The Dangers of Binge Drinking:
How Alcohol Intoxication Destroys the Body Automatic translate

Binge drinking is a condition of continuous alcohol consumption that causes a person to lose the ability to stop drinking. This is an extremely dangerous condition that can lead to serious disruptions in all body systems and even death.

The mechanism of development of binge drinking and toxic effects

Binge drinking develops as a result of chronic alcohol dependence, when the body physiologically adapts to the constant presence of ethyl alcohol. This disrupts the body’s natural metabolism, reducing the production of serotonin and dopamine, forcing the addict to seek out new alcohol to function normally.

A healthy person’s liver can process only 8-10 grams of ethanol per hour. During binge drinking, this limit is exceeded many times over, leading to the accumulation of toxic metabolites — primarily acetaldehyde, which has a destructive effect on cells in all organs and systems.

Cardiovascular damage

The heart bears one of the heaviest blows during binge drinking. Alcohol causes dramatic changes in vascular tone, significantly increasing the strain on the heart muscle. Long-term alcohol consumption leads to the development of alcoholic cardiomyopathy, a condition in which the heart muscle loses elasticity and the ability to contract normally.

Ethanol disrupts electrolyte balance, especially potassium and magnesium, causing dangerous heart rhythm disturbances. Extrasystoles and atrial fibrillation can develop, significantly increasing the risk of sudden cardiac death. Alcoholic cardiomyopathy causes the heart to enlarge, leading to congestive heart failure.

Alcohol also contributes to high blood pressure and the development of hypertensive crises. In people who abuse alcohol, blood vessels become tortuous and fragile, leading to multiple microbleeds. This creates the preconditions for the development of strokes — acute cerebrovascular accidents.

Destruction of the liver and digestive system

The liver, which serves as the body’s main filter, suffers particularly severely during binge drinking. Chronic alcohol consumption leads to the progressive development of fatty liver disease, alcoholic hepatitis, and ultimately cirrhosis. In cirrhosis, healthy liver tissue is replaced by fibrous tissue, and the organ loses its ability to function.

In later stages, acute liver necrosis may develop, when liver cells die en masse due to acute inflammation. This condition is accompanied by jaundice, dark urine, edema, and a sharp increase in toxin levels in the blood. Hepatic encephalopathy manifests as confusion, impaired motor coordination, and can lead to coma.

The digestive system is also seriously affected. Alcohol irritates the stomach lining, causing gastritis, which, if left untreated, can develop into a peptic ulcer. The pancreas becomes inflamed, leading to pancreatitis — a condition that can quickly progress to pancreatic necrosis and require surgery.

Disorders of the central nervous system

The brain is particularly vulnerable to the effects of alcohol, as the concentration of ethanol in brain tissue exceeds its blood level. Binge drinking leads to massive neuronal death due to oxygen deprivation caused by the formation of microthrombi in small blood vessels in the brain.

Long-term alcohol intoxication leads to the development of alcoholic encephalopathy — brain cell damage that is accompanied by cognitive impairment, memory loss, and impaired motor coordination. Patients experience constant fatigue, anxiety, and mood swings.

A particularly dangerous complication is alcoholic polyneuropathy — a peripheral nerve disorder characterized by pain, weakness, and loss of sensation in the extremities. Numbness in the arms and legs, cramps in the calf muscles, and gait disturbances may develop.

Kidney damage and water-salt imbalance

During binge drinking, the kidneys are also exposed to the toxic effects of ethanol and its metabolites. Alcoholic nephropathy, a chronic inflammatory kidney disease driven by autoimmune mechanisms, develops. Alcohol promotes systemic inflammation, which further impairs renal function.

Long-term binge drinking can lead to acute renal dysfunction, leading to anuria — the complete cessation of urination. This leads to dangerously high potassium levels in the blood, which can trigger severe cardiac arrhythmias and cardiac arrest.

Kidney dysfunction also leads to fluid retention, edema, and electrolyte imbalance. Patients may experience both a sharp increase in blood pressure and a critical drop.

Metabolic and endocrine disorders

Binge drinking seriously disrupts carbohydrate metabolism in the body. Alcohol inhibits gluconeogenesis — the synthesis of glucose in the liver. This can lead to severe hypoglycemia — a critical drop in blood sugar levels.

Hypoglycemia is especially dangerous for the brain, which lacks carbohydrate reserves and is unable to utilize other energy sources. A sharp drop in glucose levels can lead to hypoglycemic coma, which can lead to loss of consciousness, seizures, and life-threatening complications.

Alcohol also disrupts the metabolism of B vitamins, especially thiamine (B1), which can lead to severe neurological complications. Nutritional deficiencies are exacerbated by the fact that during a binge, people eat virtually nothing.

Mental disorders and alcohol delirium

One of the most dangerous complications of binge drinking is delirium tremens, also known as "delirium tremens." This condition develops 2-3 days after abruptly stopping alcohol consumption and is characterized by severe hallucinations, confusion, and motor agitation.

Delirium is accompanied by a fever of up to 40 degrees Celsius, sharp spikes in blood pressure, and tachycardia. Patients experience frightening visual hallucinations, hear voices, and experience tactile sensations of crawling insects. In a psychotic state, a person can harm themselves or others.

Without medical assistance, the mortality rate from delirium tremens reaches 5-15%. The main causes of death are hyperthermia, dehydration, cardiovascular failure, and injuries sustained during psychosis.

High risk of death

Long-term binge drinking poses a direct threat to a person’s life. Severe alcohol poisoning can lead to multiple organ failure — a condition in which the function of several vital organs is simultaneously impaired.

Acute pancreatitis develops in 15-20% of people during binge drinking and can progress to pancreatic necrosis. Without timely treatment, the mortality rate from this complication reaches 30-50%. There is also a high risk of thrombosis and embolism, especially in patients with a predisposition to cardiovascular disease.

Alcohol coma occurs when the blood alcohol concentration exceeds 3-4 grams per liter. At concentrations exceeding 5 grams per liter, poisoning becomes fatal. During a coma, respiratory or cardiac arrest may occur, and cerebral edema may develop.

The need for professional intervention

Detoxification from binge drinking should only be carried out under the supervision of medical professionals, as independent attempts to stop drinking can lead to dangerous complications. Abruptly stopping drinking after a prolonged binge can trigger severe withdrawal symptoms, including seizures, delirium, and other life-threatening conditions.

Medical detoxification includes fluid replacement to restore fluid and electrolyte balance, administration of B vitamins, and medications to protect the liver and heart. Monitoring vital signs and being prepared to provide resuscitation care if necessary are also important.

Long-term effects and recovery

Even after successfully sobering up, the body requires lengthy recovery. Many changes, especially in the liver, heart, and nervous system, can be irreversible. Survivors often experience persistent impairments in memory, attention, and motor coordination.

The risk of relapse remains high without comprehensive treatment for alcohol addiction. Each subsequent binge is more severe than the previous one, as the body’s resources are depleted and damage accumulates. Therefore, it is crucial not only to manage the acute condition but also to provide comprehensive rehabilitation with psychotherapeutic support.