What is a bender?
This slang term refers to an extended period of continued drug or alcohol use.
Bender Meaning
Merriam-Webster defines bender as a “spree.
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What ‘Going on a Bender’ Means
An alcoholic bender does not refer to one evening ofintoxication.
Instead, it refers to a drinking spree that is extended over at least two nights.
It is sometimes referred to as a three-day bender.
Because a weekend is two days, and many drinkers drink all weekend.
Why Do They Call It a Bender?
The origin of the term “bender” meaning an extended bout of drinking alcohol is not certain.
It appears to have been first mentioned in the mid-1800s.
Others believe it is associated with the phrase “getting bent out of shape.”
Binge Drinking vs. Bender
Sometimes the term “binge drinking” is confused with “bender.”
Both aredestructive and unhealthy.
“Alcohol (more specifically ethyl alcohol) is a small molecule that is easily absorbed in your gut.
You may save their life.
When to Get Help
Continuous alcohol use can have serious and severe consequences.
A three-day bender that results in missing work or shirking other duties can be especially destructive to your reputation.
Don’t wait until it’s too late.
Treatments include psychotherapy, medications, and mutual support recovery programs.
Medications can help you cope withwithdrawal symptomsandreduce alcohol cravings.
Support groupscan provide the encouragement and resources you need as you work through the recovery process.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Kyff R.Vocabulary on a bender: The origin of boozy words.Hartford Courant.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Binge drinking.
Eriksson CJ.The role of acetaldehyde in the actions of alcohol (Update 2000).Alcohol Clin Exp Res.
2006;25(s1):15S-32S.
doi:10.1111/j.1530-0277.2001.tb02369.x
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Alcohol use and your health.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Excessive alcohol use.
