BNI Treatment Centers Explains Grey Area Drinking

Agoura Hills, CA – BNI Treatment Centers is a teen mental health treatment center owned and operated by Arastou Aminzadeh, M.D. and Oliver Ahmadpour, M.D. They recently shed light on a lesser-known topic in a blog about grey area drinking.

BNI Treatment Centers defines grey area drinking first: a level of alcohol use above what is recommended, but below the level which causes alcohol dependence. The blog acknowledges the difficulty of knowing what exactly classifies as grey area drinking. “It is most important to know that any drinking beyond moderate alcohol use is a pattern of consumption that can be characterized as grey area drinking,” the blog clarifies. It shares that more than a fourth of individuals consuming alcohol are considered grey area drinkers.

The article highlights that despite being different than alcohol dependence, grey area drinking can still pose its own challenges. However, people often don’t realize this due to their lack of alcohol dependence. The article continues to share the adverse effects that come with grey area drinking.

The blog says one sign of grey area drinking is the individual worrying about their level of alcohol consumption. “On some days, they might think that their level of consumption is healthy; on other days, they are unsure. This is one of the most common signs of grey area drinking,” BNI Treatment Centers shares.

Another warning sign the blog spotlights is an inability to reduce alcohol intake. Grey area drinkers often have trouble controlling their alcohol consumption even when the people around them express concern about it, the blog shares. It stresses the importance of individuals getting help if they’re in such a situation. BNI Treatment Centers explains that this habit often comes with a feeling of shame, too. “It is as though they have a feeling within themselves that their level of drinking is not quite right. Grey area drinking is often characterized by fluctuations in how you feel about your level of drinking,” the blog explains.

The article then goes on to warn of the consequences of grey area drinking. It says these consequences often aren’t felt immediately, and instead emerge over time. One of these consequences is health problems, including liver damage, elevated blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, and certain types of cancers.

Grey area drinking can eventually impact a person’s career, the blog warns. The after-effects of drinking can interfere with work and appointments, and thinking excessively about drinking can make it difficult to focus. The blog also speaks on the way grey area drinking can cause poor judgment, leading to risk-taking, and sometimes dangerous behaviors. People who grey area drink may also face financial trouble due to the amount of money they spend on alcohol. Perhaps worst of all, BNI Treatment Centers warns that grey area drinking can impact relationships. Often, loved ones will express concerns about the person's grey area drinking, and this can cause strain on relationships if the person refuses to change.

Next, BNI Treatment Centers provides tips on how to avoid grey area drinking. These include setting limits on alcohol consumption, finding healthy coping mechanisms outside of alcohol, and finding other hobbies that don’t involve drinking.

Finally, the blog ends with a call for anyone grey drinking to seek professional help before their habits further impact their life.

BNI Treatment Centers focuses on helping teens living with mental health conditions and substance use disorders. Their treatment teams are run by psychiatrists, enabling them to treat complex conditions and adjust medication and treatment plans as quickly as needed. They promote healing through connection. For more on BNI Treatment Centers and what they do, visit their website or call them at (888) 522-1504.