Tommy Recovery Coaching

What Happens to Your Body When You Drink Alcohol?

Some people retain sober lifestyle coaches because of the “sober-curious” movement. Perhaps they’ve read magazine articles, watched Instagram Stories, or streamed Emily in Paris on Netflix. Others need professional support as they recover from alcohol use disorder (AUD). Yet another segment of sober lifestyle coaching clients seek moderation in their lives because they’re not fully aware of underlying AUD. These are clients who wonder about what liquor is doing to them. Let’s address the concerns of these clients and why they’re extremely valid.

Effects of Ethanol Metabolites

When we drink fermented beverages that are rich in ethanol molecules, two metabolites form. Acetaldehyde is the metabolite that gets you drunk. Acetate is the “breakdown” metabolite that sends you to the bathroom to urinate. While both are toxic, acetaldehyde is a biochemical monster. It’s a carcinogen that’s also responsible for painful hangovers. The neurotoxicity of acetaldehyde hits the central nervous system and causes impairment and memory loss through brain tissue inflammation and oxidative stress.

Psychoactive Effects of Ethanol Molecules

Moderation refers to the intake of low doses of ethanol. With conscious moderation, acetaldehyde can produce a sense of euphoria and wellbeing. In gastronomy, pairing wine or beer with certain meals results in pleasant experiences. At higher doses, acetaldehyde causes unpleasant sedation and drowsiness. It lowers inhibitions and promotes impulsive behavior. Acetate doesn’t cause significant psychoactive effects.

Physiological Neurotoxicity

As mentioned above, acetate is a diuretic that stimulates the urinary muscle reflex. It’s not toxic unless you hold your urine for so long the carbon dioxide molecules increase their toxicity. Acetaldehyde causes nerve cell damage and contributes to neurological disorders. The worst effect of acetaldehyde is oxidative stress, which can cause long-term damage to cells and tissue.

Ethanol Poisoning

The reason you feel terrible when drinking too much and while nursing painful hangovers is because you self-poisoned with ethanol. Severe ethanol poisoning episodes can deteriorate into life-threatening emergencies. Symptoms include intense vomiting, deep confusion, slowed breathing, and seizures. The oxidative stress generated by ethanol poisoning is what causes some people to enter a coma state or go into shock.

Long-Term Effects of AUD

Recent findings from research on acetaldehyde have prompted renowned addiction recovery specialists to describe AUD as one of the most problematic global health issues. Acetaldehyde is far more dangerous than what medical researchers determined in the 20th century. The long-term effects of ethanol molecules are bad enough to convince anyone to become a teetotaler, seek treatment for AUD, or explore moderation with the help of a sober lifestyle coach, such as those who specialize in addiction recovery in Encinitas, CA. It all circles back to oxidative stress, which is linked to liver disease, cardiovascular complications, and cancer of the esophagus, colon, breast, mouth, and liver. As for mental health detriment, lifelong drinking sharply exacerbates anxiety and depression. Plus, ethanol often derails the therapeutic effectiveness of antidepressants.

While many people who fall into substance abuse can start to recover on their own without the help of an interventionist, Encinitas addicts can get a great deal of benefit from working with experienced sober coaches. For strength-based support, reach out to the trained recovery coaches at Sober Lifestyle Coaching. Our goal is to offer our clients maximum recovery support, especially in the first fragile days or weeks of early recovery. If you’re looking for extra addiction recovery support so you don’t risk relapse when you head into the danger zones, we’ll work with you to put together a game plan to keep you safe and sober as you accomplish your goals. To learn more about how we can help you or someone you love, call us today.