"In my clinical work over several decades, many executives struggling with binge drinking describe remarkably similar experiences: "Once I start, I can't stop. It's like I've lost my off-switch." This is more than a metaphor. It reflects a pattern in which firm intentions to drink moderately give way to days-long binges involving blackouts, damaged relationships, missed obligations, and deep regret."
"Public health agencies in the United States typically define binge drinking as consuming five or more drinks within a two-hour period. While useful for population statistics, this definition misses a clinically important pattern common among high-functioning executives and professionals, characterized by: Heavy drinking lasting days or entire "lost weekends." Escalating intake as tolerance increases and control diminishes. Alcohol-induced amnesia ("blackouts"). Retreating to hotels or other locations to drink uninterrupted. Going "radio silent," including missed work and loss of contact with others."
Binge drinking among executives and professionals involves prolonged heavy alcohol use followed by rapid returns to high-level functioning and long periods of little or no drinking. Episodes often last days or entire "lost weekends," escalate as tolerance increases, and produce alcohol-induced amnesia, blackouts, and impaired relationships. Common behaviors include retreating to private locations to drink and going "radio silent," with missed work and loss of contact. The central issue is loss of control rather than drinking frequency; once drinking begins the off-switch fails, and intermittent high performance can delay recognition and help-seeking.
Read at Psychology Today
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