"I don't get hangovers" - The Lie and Myth of the Hangover-Free Drinker
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Tolerance and Dependence
Alcohol tolerance develops when regular consumption leads the body to adapt to the presence of alcohol, requiring larger amounts to achieve the same effects. As tolerance increases, the immediate symptoms of intoxication and subsequent hangovers may diminish1. This doesn't mean the body isn't experiencing the negative effects of alcohol; rather, the individual becomes less aware of them.
Denial and Minimization
Denial is a hallmark of addiction2. Claiming not to get hangovers can be a way for alcoholics to minimize the impact of their drinking. By asserting that they don't suffer the typical consequences, they rationalize continued excessive consumption.
Physiological Factors
Some individuals may indeed experience fewer hangover symptoms due to genetic factors or differences in metabolism3. However, this doesn't equate to immunity from alcohol's harmful effects. The absence of a hangover doesn't mean the absence of harm.
Confusing Bad Mood with Hangovers
The Chemistry of Mood and Alcohol
Alcohol is a depressant that affects neurotransmitters in the brain, particularly serotonin and dopamine4. While initial consumption may produce feelings of euphoria, over time, heavy drinking disrupts the balance of these chemicals, leading to mood disturbances.
Withdrawal Symptoms
For alcoholics, the body becomes accustomed to functioning with alcohol in the system. When alcohol levels drop, withdrawal symptoms occur, which can include anxiety, irritability, and depression5. These symptoms are often mistaken for a "bad mood" rather than recognized as part of a hangover or withdrawal.
Emotional Blunting
Chronic alcohol use can lead to emotional numbness or blunting6. Alcoholics may not fully process or recognize their emotional states, confusing physical hangover symptoms with general malaise or moodiness.
The Vicious Cycle: Mood Improvement Only After Drinking
Self-Medication
Alcoholics often use alcohol to self-medicate underlying emotional or psychological issues7. When they feel bad, drinking temporarily alleviates these feelings by boosting certain neurotransmitters, creating a short-lived sense of well-being.
Reinforcement and Dependence
This relief reinforces the behavior, leading to increased dependence. The brain begins to associate alcohol with mood improvement, making it the go-to solution whenever negative feelings arise8.
Altered Brain Chemistry
Chronic alcohol consumption changes brain chemistry, reducing natural production of mood-regulating neurotransmitters9. As a result, the individual feels worse when not drinking, perpetuating the cycle of dependency.
Psychological Denial and Cognitive Dissonance
Protecting the Addiction
Admitting to hangovers or negative effects challenges the alcoholic's relationship with alcohol. Cognitive dissonance—the mental discomfort experienced when holding two conflicting beliefs—may cause them to deny hangovers to protect their addiction10.
Social Perception and Stigma
Acknowledging hangovers might also expose them to social judgment or stigma. By claiming they don't get hangovers, they attempt to present themselves as responsible or unaffected drinkers11.
The Health Implications
Unrecognized Damage
Not experiencing hangovers doesn't mean the body isn't suffering. Chronic alcohol use leads to liver damage, cardiovascular issues, and neurological problems12. The absence of immediate discomfort can lead to complacency about long-term health risks.
Mental Health Concerns
Depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders are often intertwined with alcoholism13. Mislabeling withdrawal symptoms as mere bad moods prevents individuals from seeking appropriate help.
Breaking the Cycle
Awareness and Acceptance
The first step toward recovery is recognizing the problem. Understanding that mood disturbances are linked to alcohol withdrawal rather than external factors can motivate change14.
Professional Help
Seeking assistance from medical and mental health professionals provides support for detoxification and therapy15. Treatment can address both the physical dependency and underlying psychological issues.
Support Systems
Engaging with support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous offers community and accountability16. Sharing experiences with others who understand the struggle can be empowering.
Conclusion
The statement "I don't get hangovers" is often a lie that masks deeper issues related to alcohol dependency and mental health. Alcoholics may confuse being in a bad mood with hangover symptoms, failing to recognize that their mood only improves after consuming alcohol due to withdrawal relief and altered brain chemistry.
Understanding this complex relationship is crucial for those struggling with alcoholism and for those supporting them. Recognizing the signs, acknowledging the problem, and seeking professional help are vital steps toward recovery.
No one should have to live in a cycle where relief only comes from a bottle. By shedding light on the truths hidden behind the lies, we can pave the way for healing and a healthier, happier life.
Find your Grounding
#theLie #soberlife #hangoverfree
References
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. "Alcohol Tolerance."https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/alcohol-tolerance ↩
American Psychological Association. "The Role of Denial in Addiction."https://www.apa.org/topics/addiction/denial ↩
Verster, J. C., & Penning, R. (2010). "Factors Contributing to Hangover Severity." Current Drug Abuse Reviews, 3(2), 68–74.https://doi.org/10.2174/1874473711003020068 ↩
Koob, G. F., & Volkow, N. D. (2010). "Neurocircuitry of Addiction." Neuropsychopharmacology, 35(1), 217–238.https://doi.org/10.1038/npp.2009.110 ↩
Becker, H. C. (2008). "Alcohol Dependence, Withdrawal, and Relapse." Alcohol Research & Health, 31(4), 348–361.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3860452/ ↩
Oscar-Berman, M., & Marinković, K. (2007). "Alcohol: Effects on Neurobehavioral Functions and the Brain." Neuropsychology Review, 17(3), 239–257.https://doi.org/10.1007/s11065-007-9038-6 ↩
Khantzian, E. J. (1997). "The Self-Medication Hypothesis of Substance Use Disorders: A Reconsideration and Recent Applications." Harvard Review of Psychiatry, 4(5), 231–244.https://doi.org/10.3109/10673229709030550 ↩
Robinson, T. E., & Berridge, K. C. (2003). "Addiction." Annual Review of Psychology, 54, 25–53.https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.54.101601.145237 ↩
Volkow, N. D., & Li, T. K. (2005). "The Neuroscience of Addiction." Nature Neuroscience, 8(11), 1429–1430.https://doi.org/10.1038/nn1105-1429 ↩
Festinger, L. (1957). A Theory of Cognitive Dissonance. Stanford University Press. ↩
Room, R. (2005). "Stigma, Social Inequality and Alcohol and Drug Use." Drug and Alcohol Review, 24(2), 143 –155.https://doi.org/10.1080/09595230500102434 ↩
Rehm, J., et al. (2009). "Global Burden of Disease and Injury and Economic Cost Attributable to Alcohol Use and Alcohol-Use Disorders." The Lancet, 373(9682), 2223–2233.https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(09)60746-7 ↩
Boden, J. M., & Fergusson, D. M. (2011). "Alcohol and Depression." Addiction, 106(5), 906–914.https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1360-0443.2010.03351.x ↩
Miller, W. R., & Rollnick, S. (2012). Motivational Interviewing: Helping People Change. Guilford Press. ↩
National Institute on Drug Abuse. "Principles of Effective Treatment."https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-research-based-guide-third-edition/principles-effective-treatment ↩
Alcoholics Anonymous World Services. (2001). Alcoholics Anonymous: The Big Book. 4th ed. ↩
