Weekend Alcoholism: A Real Problem Or Excuse?

Alcoholism is often associated with daily drinking, but it is possible to be an alcoholic even if you only drink on the weekends. Weekend alcoholism is a pattern of behaviour involving alcohol abuse that occurs at the weekend. It can be harder to detect than daily alcoholism, as weekend alcoholics are often high-functioning and can hide their binges from loved ones. However, it can be just as dangerous and detrimental to health and wellbeing as other forms of alcoholism. Heavy drinking, even if it's only on the weekends, can lead to health issues such as liver damage, heart disease, cancer, and mental health disorders. It can also increase the risk of accidents and injuries due to impaired judgement and reduced motor skills. If you or someone you know is struggling with weekend alcohol abuse, professional help is available. Treatment options include detox programs, inpatient addiction programs, and rehab.

Weekend alcoholism is a real phenomenon

Weekend alcoholism is a pattern of behaviour involving alcohol abuse that occurs at the weekend. It is not a diagnostic term but a description of a drinking pattern. Many people who drink heavily on weekends may deny that they have an alcohol addiction and believe that because they only drink on a couple of days a week, they are not alcoholics. However, this is a stereotype that can make it harder to assess if someone is an alcoholic or not. In reality, what makes someone an alcoholic is not how many days they drink but the amount they drink. According to the CDC, "binge drinking" is defined as having more than three drinks in a day for women and more than four drinks for men. "Heavy drinking" is defined as having more than eight drinks for women or 15 drinks for men per week.

Weekend alcoholics may justify their drinking as a reward for a long week of working and socialising. They may also lie about how much they drink and spend a lot of time during the workweek planning their weekend drinking. They may also neglect their responsibilities and prioritise drinking over other activities and responsibilities, such as work, family, and personal commitments.

The impact of weekend alcoholism may creep into weekdays, with the person starting the week hungover or recovering from the previous weekend. They may also behave differently when drunk, acting out of character and engaging in risky behaviours such as drunk driving, operating machinery, getting into physical altercations, or having unsafe sex.

Weekend alcoholism can lead to serious health risks, including an increased risk of liver damage, heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, digestive issues, and mental health disorders. It can also lead to alcohol poisoning, physical injuries, and alcohol addiction. If you or someone you know is struggling with weekend alcoholism, there are treatment options available, including detox programs and inpatient addiction programs.

Spotting the signs of weekend alcoholism

Weekend alcoholism is binge drinking when you are not at work or school, usually on the weekend. This often involves spending a lot of time at clubs or pubs, but it can also be done at home. A weekend alcoholic is not a diagnostic term but a way to describe a pattern of behaviour involving alcohol abuse that occurs at the weekend.

• Consistently drinking heavily on weekends: Engaging in excessive alcohol consumption, specifically on weekends, often leads to intoxication or binge drinking. Binge drinking is deemed to be having five or more drinks on an occasion, within two hours for men, and four or more drinks for women.
• Withdrawal symptoms: Experiencing physical or psychological symptoms such as irritability, anxiety, or insomnia when not drinking alcohol after heavy weekend drinking.
• Attempts to cut down or quit unsuccessfully: Expressing a desire to drink less or stop drinking altogether but being unable to maintain abstinence or reduce alcohol intake.
• Neglecting responsibilities: Prioritising alcohol use over important obligations such as work, family commitments, or personal responsibilities.
• Tolerance development: Needing to drink larger quantities of alcohol to achieve the desired effect or experiencing a diminished response to the same amount of alcohol over time.
• Excessive drinking can lead to risky behaviour: Alcohol can impair your judgment, leaving you more susceptible to doing or saying things you usually wouldn't. You may engage in risky behaviours, such as driving while intoxicated, operating machinery, getting into physical altercations, or having unsafe sex.
• Denial: You may be in denial that there is a problem, so you try to convince yourself that the amount you're drinking is a normal part of weekend socialising. If you feel the need to lie to others about how much you drink, it could be a sign of a more serious issue such as alcohol use disorder.

Health risks of weekend binge drinking

Binge drinking on the weekends can have serious health consequences in both the short and long term. Even a single episode of binge drinking can have serious effects on the body and brain.

Binge drinking is defined as a pattern of drinking that brings blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08% or higher. This typically corresponds to consuming five or more drinks for men and four or more drinks for women in about two hours. Binge drinking can lead to alcohol poisoning, which is extremely dangerous. It can also increase the risk of accidents, such as falls, burns, and car crashes, as well as unsafe sexual behaviour and the risk of STIs and unintentional pregnancy.

In the long term, binge drinking can cause changes to the brain, high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer, digestive issues, liver disease, and mental health disorders. It can also contribute to alcohol dependence and increase the risk of several types of cancer, including head and neck, oesophageal, liver, breast, and colorectal cancers.

Weekend binge drinking can also impact an individual's life beyond their health. It can lead to neglecting responsibilities, such as work, family commitments, and personal obligations. It can also affect an individual's mood and memory and increase the risk of anti-social, aggressive, and violent behaviour.

If you or someone you know is struggling with weekend binge drinking, it is important to seek professional help. Treatment options are available for weekend alcohol abuse, and recognising the problem is the first step towards recovery.

Treatment options for weekend alcohol abuse

Weekend alcoholism is a serious issue that can have detrimental effects on one's health and lifestyle. It is characterised by binge drinking and weekly dependence on alcohol, with individuals consuming significant amounts of alcohol during the weekends. Treatment options for weekend alcohol abuse include:

Identifying Triggers and Avoiding Them

Recognising the situations or events that trigger the urge to drink is crucial. Once identified, individuals can work on avoiding these triggers or developing strategies to deal with them without resorting to alcohol. Removing alcohol from the home environment can also reduce temptation.

Support Groups and Therapy

Support groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), provide a network of assistance and accountability, which can be beneficial for those trying to quit drinking. Additionally, therapy sessions can be incorporated into treatment plans to address the underlying causes of alcohol abuse and provide ongoing support.

Inpatient and Outpatient Rehab Programs

For more severe cases of addiction, inpatient rehab facilities offer intensive, structured programs with 24-hour care and medical supervision. Outpatient programs, on the other hand, provide flexibility, allowing individuals to maintain work or school commitments while receiving treatment. Weekend rehab programs are also available, offering short-term treatment during the weekends for those seeking flexibility in their recovery journey.

Medical Detox

Medical detox is often necessary for individuals who consume heavy amounts of alcohol to safely manage withdrawal symptoms under professional supervision. Detox is usually the first step before transitioning to further treatment at a rehab facility or through outpatient services.

Online Resources and Helplines

Online resources, such as those provided by American Addiction Centers and Alcohol Rehab Help, offer nationwide drug and alcohol rehab options. Helplines are available 24/7 to discuss treatment options and provide support for those struggling with weekend alcohol abuse.

It is important to remember that recovery from addiction is a unique and long-term process, and individuals should explore different treatment programs to find the most suitable approach for their specific needs.

Alcoholism and its stigma

Alcoholism, or alcohol use disorder (AUD), is a serious condition that can have detrimental effects on a person's health, well-being, and lifestyle. It is characterised by excessive alcohol consumption, which can lead to intoxication, binge drinking, and alcohol dependence. While alcoholism is often associated with daily drinking, it is important to recognise that weekend alcoholism is also a valid concern. Those who engage in heavy drinking only on weekends can still experience negative consequences, including health risks such as liver damage and heart disease, as well as impaired judgment, increased risk-taking, and negative impacts on their daily responsibilities.

Stigma surrounding alcoholism, or AUD, poses a significant barrier to individuals seeking help and treatment. Stigma refers to the negative judgments, avoidance, and discrimination faced by individuals with AUD. People with AUD may internalise society's negative stereotypes and feel isolated, rejected, and embarrassed about their condition. This sense of stigma can be further compounded by intersecting factors such as race, sex, and sexual orientation, which are also often stigmatised. As a result, many individuals with AUD may deny or downplay their drinking habits and avoid seeking professional help, believing that they should handle the issue on their own.

The language used to describe alcoholism can also perpetuate stigma. Terms like "alcoholic", "alcohol abuse", and "alcohol dependence" carry negative connotations and are often stigmatising. To reduce stigma and encourage help-seeking behaviours, it is recommended to use non-pejorative language such as "alcohol use disorder" or "person with alcohol use disorder". By using neutral and person-first language, we can help alleviate the stigma associated with alcoholism and improve an individual's willingness to seek treatment.

Additionally, the stigma associated with AUD may influence individuals' preferences for where and how to seek help. Some individuals may prefer seeking specialist care within healthcare services, while others may opt for primary care as it is considered less stigmatising. However, there is a lack of knowledge about the associations between stigma and preferences for help-seeking, and more research is needed to understand how to narrow the treatment gap for AUD.

It is important to address the stigma surrounding alcoholism to encourage individuals struggling with weekend alcoholism or AUD to seek the help they need. By using appropriate language, providing accurate information, and offering a range of treatment options, we can reduce the negative judgments associated with alcoholism and improve access to care for those affected by this disorder.

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