Are you binge drinking during your residency years? It's a perilous path

Binge drinking is deeply ingrained in college culture and often spills over into the next phases of life. Medical residency is no exception. In some surveys, half of medical residents say they binge drank over the past year, and 18% report binging at least once a month.^[]

Defining binge drinking

According to the CDC, binge drinking is the most common pattern of excessive alcohol use in the US. It is commonly defined as consuming four or more alcoholic drinks for females, or five or more alcoholic drinks for males, in a short period of time—causing a rapid and substantial spike in blood alcohol concentration.

People who binge drink are not necessarily dependent on alcohol, but the practice is harmful and carries a higher risk of alcohol use disorder.^[]

Addressing the underlying burnout

Burnout often sets the stage for alcohol abuse among physicians, and up to 45% report at least one symptom of burnout during residency training. In certain specialties like neurology, burnout rates soar as high as 70 percent.^[]

“Heavy alcohol use and binge drinking are, unfortunately, very common during medical training due to a ‘work hard, play hard’ mentality," says Anita Chandrasekaran, MD, MPH, of Hartford HealthCare Medical Group in Connecticut, and an MDLinx medical advisor.

"I think more wellness resources for medical students and residents are necessary, as well as protected time for trainees to engage in positive coping strategies, such as exercise,” she adds.

The work of a resident is mentally, emotionally, and physically taxing. And while you can’t necessarily change the system you work in, you can look for ways to set boundaries against burnout—and alternative ways to spend your time.

Alternatives to alcohol

Finding healthy and effective coping strategies is essential for playing the long game as a physician. 

When was the last time you went rock climbing, roller skating, or exercising at a trampoline park? How about going dancing, swimming, or riding your bike? You may associate these activities with childhood, but there’s no reason kids should have all the fun. In fact, it’s possible that more fun is exactly what you need to channel those alcohol cravings into a more rewarding pastime.

The key is to set aside some time to find a healthy alternative that doesn't involve drinking and prioritize it.

When alcohol use crosses the line

Even if you’re a resident who doesn’t drink heavily, chances are, you know other residents who do.

Still, while heavy drinking is detrimental to disease prevention (and to a professional career in medicine), controversy over the potential benefits of moderate intake leaves some clinicians navigating along blurred lines.

Individual counseling, support groups, or 12-step groups, can give you the tools you need to be successful and gain control over the amount of space alcohol occupies in your life. By taking the initiative, you’ll set a positive example to other residents or med students who want to drink less.

If you are concerned about other residents' drinking, particularly if you believe it could affect patient care, it's important to intervene immediately. Consider bringing it to the attention of an attending physician or supervisor. 

It may be difficult to know for certain if another person is abusing alcohol, but some telltale signs include being chronically late to appointments, unknown whereabouts, the smell of alcohol, disheveled appearance, irritability or erratic behavior, increased patient complaints, poor charting, decreased quality of care or productivity, or careless medical decisions, among other signs.