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What You Should Know About Alcoholic Hepatitis

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Alcohol hepatitis, also known as alcoholic liver disease (ALD), is one of the three types of liver disease caused by drinking. It’s one of the most severe types of alcohol-induced liver damage and caused over 24,000 deaths in 2019. This condition often precedes cirrhosis (irreversible scarring of the liver) which is considered to be the final stage of alcoholic liver disease as well as liver cancer or complete liver failure.

What Is Alcoholic Hepatitis?

Similar to hepatitis A, B, and C, alcoholic hepatitis is severe inflammation of the liver brought about by infection. Unlike those viral types of hepatitis, however, alcohol hepatitis (as its name suggests) is solely caused by exposure to toxins and therefore is not contagious. 

But how is it caused exactly? When the liver processes alcohol, the resulting byproducts are highly toxic (and more dangerous than alcohol itself). When the liver is overwhelmed, these damaging byproducts can kill liver cells. This in turn triggers dangerous levels of inflammation which interferes with liver function.  

Alcoholic Hepatitis Symptoms

The most common signs of alcoholic hepatitis are directly attributed to impaired liver function. Since the liver’s role works closely with the gastrointestinal system, the symptoms can manifest themselves as side effects related to eating and digestion. These are relatively mild, they include:

  • Low-grade fever (caused by the infection)
  • Abdominal pain or tenderness
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Fatigue or weakness
  • Loss of appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin)

Less common side effects can indicate a more severe type of alcoholic hepatitis. These symptoms can be life-threatening and should receive medical attention:

  • Ascites (accumulation of fluid in the abdomen)
  • Confusion or drastic changes in behavior
  • Kidney failure
  • Liver failure

Both the direct and indirect consequences of such extensive liver damage are a serious health concern. Fortunately, with early enough detection, this condition can be manageable. If untreated, this chronic condition can be life-threatening.

When Does Alcoholic Hepatitis Happen?

There is no clear cut criteria as to how much someone has to drink to get alcoholic hepatitis, While its general cause is known to be long-term, heavy drinking, not all heavy drinkers will experience this acute type of liver damage. Both binge drinkers and consistently heavy drinkers can find themselves at risk, but those who drink on a daily basis have a higher likelihood. Studies have shown that 60 g of alcohol intake for men, and 20 g greatly contributes to the risk factors.  

The exact timeline of when alcoholic hepatitis occurs is unknown, however, the likelihood can be affected by a number of factors such as gender, race, BMI, and quantity and duration of alcohol consumption.

  • Women have lower alcohol tolerance than men have twice the risk of developing drinking-related liver issues
  • Minorities are more likely to develop severe alcoholic hepatitis due to genetic disposition
  • Being overweight can contribute to a fatty liver, a frequent precursor to alcoholic hepatitis

Can Alcoholic Hepatitis be Fatal? 

Yes, it is estimated that 1 in 3 with this condition will die from it. Often, it isn’t until the majority of the liver has been critically damaged that there is any outward indication that there is a problem. By the time pain or some other symptom makes itself known, the liver damage is extensive and the organ is likely in critical condition.

Why Your Liver Is So Important

This vital organ is responsible for a number of essential functions from storing vitamins and minerals to the processing of fats, proteins, and carbs. One of which is to detox toxins from the blood. As the body’s primary method of processing alcohol and other drugs, the liver takes the brunt of drinking’s toll on the body, and continued alcohol consumption can cause irreparable damage. The extent of which can range from impaired liver function to all-out failure. The consequences of either can cause a domino effect of other health issues.

It’s Not Too Late To Get Help

The good news is that if acted upon early enough, alcohol hepatitis can be reversed. The liver has an incredible ability to repair itself, in fact, after part of it has been surgically removed the liver can regenerate itself in only a matter of months. However, continued alcohol damage can destroy this capability so it is imperative that those with this condition immediately cease alcohol consumption. Time is of the essence to get your drinking habit under control but quitting cold turkey is never recommended. Alcohol rehab facilities like the Freedom Center can help safely mitigate alcohol withdrawal symptoms and ultimately, help you achieve life-saving abstinence. 

Sources:
https://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/medicalpubs/diseasemanagement/hepatology/alcoholic-liver-disease/
https://www.uhn.ca/PatientsFamilies/Health_Information/Health_Topics/Documents/Alcohol_and_the_Liver.pdf 
https://www2.hse.ie/wellbeing/alcohol/physical-health/alcohols-effect-on-the-body/the-liver.html
https://www.rnceus.com/lf/lffx.html

Is Alcohol A Drug?

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If you are wondering whether alcohol is technically a drug, you are not alone with this query. People use the term “drug and alcohol rehab” as if these are two separate types of substances, so they must be, right? Alcohol is legally consumed on a regular basis across the globe, but there are regulations and laws banning “drugs” like heroin and cocaine. Considering these factors, it seems a no-brainer that alcohol is not a drug… but wait, what is a drug anyways?

Defining a “Drug”

Wikipedia defines a drug as “any substance that causes a change in an organism’s physiology or psychology when consumed.” They comment that drugs are distinctly different from substances that provide nutritional support, such as food or vitamin supplements. 

Is Alcohol A Narcotic? 

In order to fully answer the question of whether alcohol is a drug or not, we must reframe the question and ask it again: Is alcohol a narcotic?

According to the Oxford Dictionary, a narcotic is “a drug or other substance that affects mood or behavior and is consumed for nonmedical purposes, especially one sold illegally.” This definition seems similar to that of a drug, but with an elaboration on medical use and legality.

Alcohol certainly does affect mood and behavior. It is considered a depressant, meaning that it slows the messages sent between the brain and body. Consequently, it causes slurred speech, decreased motor skills, decreased reaction time, and altered perceptions of reality.

There is no known medical purpose for consuming alcohol. Although, you may have seen alcohol used as a last resort anesthetic or disinfectant in movies. It is just that – a last resort.

The purchase of alcohol is legal in most parts of the world for individuals over a certain age but is not always legal. Generally, alcohol consumption is regulated in some fashion. 

So… for the most part, it sounds like alcohol is a narcotic and a drug. However, alcohol is not considered a narcotic according to the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). According to the DEA, narcotics refer to illicit opioid medications. 

Comparing Alcohol to Other “Drugs”

As mentioned above, alcohol is categorized as a depressant based on how it interacts with our brain and the effects it produces. So why not consider other depressants when addressing the question of whether alcohol is a drug? Other depressants include barbiturates (butalbital, phenobarbital, Pentothal, Seconal, and Nembutal) and benzodiazepines (Valium, Xanax, Halcion, Ativan, Klonopin, and Restoril). These medications are unquestionably considered drugs. Once again, our analysis supports that alcohol is in fact a drug.

So, What’s the Big Deal?

This topic seems to be semantics, but in short, yes, alcohol is a drug. But why does it even matter if alcohol is considered a drug? Well, there are a number of reasons why it is important that people understand that alcohol is a drug. For one, alcohol is a mind-altering and highly addictive substance that affects millions of lives every year. The lack of seriousness placed on alcohol may be a big reason why abuse and addiction are so common. Perhaps if we started looking at alcohol as what it really is – a drug – then maybe people would stop consuming the substance nonchalantly. Additionally, the way a substance is classified does affect the way in which it is regulated. 

We have seen from history that alcohol is ingrained in our culture, and regulating it would not happen easily. What we can do on an individual basis is remind ourselves that alcohol is indeed a drug and its consumption should not be taken lightly if there is ever going to be a reduction in the number of people with alcohol use disorders in America.

The Benefits of Dry January

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There are plenty of reasons why people participate in this increasingly popular month-long challenge of Dry January—many of which align with the optimistic and health-centric nature of New Year’s resolution. Some voluntarily abstain from drinking for the first 31 days as a way to lose weight, for others, it’s an exercise in self-control that also allows their body some respite from the hardy partying of the holiday season. Regardless of why someone decides to join in, they stand to gain much more than they are giving up. If you’re hesitant about jumping aboard the booze-free bandwagon, here are the 4 biggest benefits of Dry January and reasons why you should give it a try.

You’ll stand to save a lot of money (on much more than just drinks)

Perhaps the most obvious benefit of giving up alcohol is that you’ll save money on the cost of the actual drinks themselves (you can calculate the exact amount here). Whether you prefer to go out for cocktails or supply your own, cutting out booze for 31 days is an easy way to keep your bank account happy. But that’s not the only way you can rake in the savings. Often, it isn’t until we remove ourselves from our lifestyle that we realize all the other auxiliary costs that are attached to a single boozing session. 

To start, there are the transit costs: parking can get pricey very quickly with valet and pay-to-park (not to mention parking violation fines) is the biggest one, followed by the cost of ridesharing (those surcharges are no joke). Smaller, but still meaningful, cost savings come in the form of gas and tolls. Plus, we’re willing to bet that most nights out end with a greasy fast food joint. Those drive-thru orders add up—as do the calories. To make matters worse, drunk you has impaired decision-making skills meaning you are much more prone to being irrational and impulsive. During this state that can result in you ordering more food than you are actually capable of eating, or doing some online shopping for items you normally wouldn’t get which will certainly cost you (and be an unpleasant shock in the morning).

You’ll lose weight

Drinking hurts your waistline in multiple ways. Alcohol is a notorious calorie bomb filled with sugars and carbs—the culprits behind most weight gain. Your standard can of beer? 150 calories. Wine? 123 calories. A single shot (1 ounce) of hard liquor will have about 70 calories. The real kicker, however, is the sugary syrups, juices, and sodas used in cocktails. 

Plus, as mentioned before, most drinking sessions end with a trip to fast food restaurants where greasy, salty, and cheesy reign supreme. As if that wasn’t bad enough, consuming food late at night, so close to bedtime, means that your late-night snack won’t have a chance to get burned off. Once your midnight snack is digested, it will simply turn into fat. This circumstance is compounded by the fact that alcohol acts as a depressant on your metabolism, making your already slower than usual metabolism even more sluggish. 

You’ll have more free time

This benefit of Dry January is a double-edged sword. On one hand, skipping out on your routine happy hour meet-up could leave a big gap in your day, making you realize that you have a lot more time than you initially thought. You’ve discovered a nugget of time you can use to fit in a workout, read that novel you’ve been meaning to get to, or meal prepping some healthy lunches.

The potentially less-pleasant realization, however, is how much of your socializing centers around alcohol and feeling lost without it. This isn’t uncommon as many social norms revolve around communing over food and drinks. Still, it can make social gatherings feel awkward, anxiety-inducing, or even pointless. Instead of mourning the loss of your usual past time, use this break from drinking to find new activities to add to your social repertoire. 

Your tolerance will decrease

It’s incredible how quickly the body can adapt. Drinking on a regular basis will result in an increased alcohol tolerance that will require you more and stronger drinks to feel them. This is bad news for your wallet, your waistline, and your overall health. Even if you don’t feel tipsy, alcohol is still impacting your internal organ functions. If your tolerance continues to build up you could incidentally put yourself in a position of alcohol poisoning because you’re chasing a buzz.

Dry January is a reset and a wonderful opportunity for the body to demonstrate it’s equally impressive ability to revert to its normal state. If you were to resume drinking again, you would find that you would be able to feel alcohol’s effects in fewer drinks than before which will save you money and your organs from having to work so hard—win-win!  Of course, you don’t have to resume drinking once Dry January is over. Experts recommend cutting out drinking for 90 days will yield the most benefits and give your internal organs enough time to truly recover. 

 

Caution Ahead: Dry January Isn’t For Everyone

Moderate drinkers who stay within the one-beverage-a-day threshold won’t see as drastic benefits of Dry January as someone who regularly binge drinks. The disruption to their social life or mental health maintenance might not be worth the temporary sobriety.

Additionally, Dry January can actually be a dangerous undertaking for alcoholics. The sudden lack of alcohol can induce withdrawal symptoms and, depending on the severity of the addiction, alcohol withdrawal effects can be dangerous and even fatal. Instead of trying to get sober on your own, addiction treatment facilities offer specialized detox programs that can help alcohol abusers do so safely.

10 (Subtle) Signs of An Alcoholic

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Many of us take for granted just how prevalent alcohol is in our lives; we drink to celebrate, to mourn, to relax, to liven things up. And when drinking is such a firmly established social norm it can be difficult to tell when our bottle of vino with dinner or cocktail at happy hour has gone from casual imbibement to addiction. Anyone who has dealt with a substance abuse disorder can tell you that the signs of alcoholism aren’t always as obvious. Depictions in movies and books are often dramatic with overtly self-destructive behavior that leaves their personal, professional, and social life in shambles. But in real life, the signs can be much more subtle and masked by high functioning alcoholism. If you’re worried that you or someone you know may have a drinking problem, here are the 10 subtle signs of an alcoholic that you should look out for:

10 (Subtle) Signs of An Alcoholic

1. You habitually blackout whenever you drink

A wedding, ball game, night out with friends. It doesn’t matter what the occasion may be (if there’s any at all). When you drink, you tend to do so in excess and it often results in a blackout. You may try to set limits for yourself or swear that you won’t be drinking at all, but when drinks are poured, you struggle with controlling yourself. 

2. You turn to drinking whenever you’re stressed

It’s not unheard of for people to have a drink to unwind after a rough day, but when it gets to the point that you need a drink in order to cope, you’ve likely crossed into addiction territory. Using alcohol as an emotional crutch can be attributed to a physical dependence on alcohol to provide your body with dopamine. 

3. Your tolerance has gone way up

It takes a lot to get you drunk, far more than it used to, or you find it difficult to achieve a buzz at all anymore. This is a tell-tale sign of physical dependence and that your body is accustomed to the presence of alcohol. Reaching this point is dangerous. Even though you may not feel the mind-altering effects that you’re used to, your organs are working overtime and can quickly incur permanent damage. 

4. Rationalizing your drinking habits (especially the ones at weird times)

It’s 8 AM – but your mug isn’t filled with coffee. Constantly drinking at odd hours (and making up reasons why you need to do so) is another warning sign that you may have slipped into addiction territory. Rather than waiting for occasions that would normally allow for drinking, you’re now actively seeking ways to justify having alcohol at odd or inappropriate moments. 

5. You get defensive when people bring up your drinking habits

It’s likely that your friends and family will notice signs you’re an alcoholic before you do. And if the amount or frequency with which you drink is enough to be a cause of concern, you likely have a problem. But if your initial reaction is to immediately deny or rationalize your drinking habits without being willing to cut back, it could be a sign that you have developed a psychological addiction to drinking as well. 

6. Drinking by yourself more often

Partaking in alcoholic beverages is usually a social affair – watching a sports game with friends, celebrating a promotion, having a nice dinner. That’s not to say that indulging on your own is inherently a sign of alcoholism. However, doing so frequently is one of the most self-identifiable indications that you are no longer in the realm of casual drinking. Drinking by yourself could mean that you derive more pleasure from drinking itself rather than the social context surrounding it. It could also be that you are aware that your drinking habit is more excessive than what’s considered socially acceptable and don’t want your drinking habits to be seen by others.

7. You have a hard time remembering things

Long-term binge drinking can damage the brain’s frontal lobe. This can result in permanent cognitive impairment and memory loss (referred to as alcohol-induced amnesia) that makes it difficult to operate in everyday activities. 

8. Skipping meals and opting for drinks instead

Forgoing proper meals in lieu of drinking is problematic for several reasons. Skipping meals to opt for an alcoholic drink deprives your body of vital nutrients what is bad for your overall health. But more worrisome is that it’s a clear sign that your priorities are out of whack. Together, the combined effects can transform into an eating disorder which can also a be warning sign of substance abuse. This type of behavior is quite commonplace and anemia and malnutrition are two conditions that often coincide with alcohol addiction.

9. Claiming that you need alcohol to do a task

Claiming that alcohol is needed to carry out some sort of function (i.e. sleeping, working, socializing, staying calm) is a red flag and can be an indication of high-functioning alcoholism. Alcoholics have a tendency to misattribute alcohol as enhancing their ability to perform the task or activity is at hand (i.e. “It helps me sleep better”, “It makes me friendlier”).  This ‘need’ can be physical or psychological but clearly demonstrates that alcohol has now become deeply integrated into someone’s day-to-day life. The far more likely reality is that the individual has gotten to a stage where they use alcohol to keep withdrawal effects at bay which if allowed to happen, comparatively make them feel and perform worse than without it. 

10. Frequent diarrhea or stomach pain

The damage that alcohol wreaks on the liver and kidneys is well-known, but a less obvious connection is that of excessive drinking and the digestive system. Heavy drinking damages the tissues in your intestines which prevents them from properly digesting food. This means the body is far less efficient at drawing vitamins and other essential nutrients from the food you eat (another cause of malnutrition in alcoholics). The other consequence of a disrupted digestive system is GI distress such as gassiness, bloating, and diarrhea. 

See the Signs: You Might Be An Alcoholic

The first step in getting help for alcohol abuse (or any other type of substance abuse for that matter) is recognizing the addiction in the first place. The next is doing something about it. If you are struggling to overcome your alcohol addiction contact the Freedom Center today. Our experienced staff can help you regain control over your life. We are available 24/7 to find the best course of treatment for you.

A Deeper Look at Alcoholics Anonymous: Step One

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Alcoholics Anonymous is based around 12 Steps that are outlined to help individuals who have a desire to stop drinking alcohol. Starting with step 1, each member works their way through understanding each step and taking appropriate actions. Some steps can be addressed quickly, while others may take certain members a longer length of time. One thing to remember is that trying to rush your way through the steps only hurts you. Take your time to think about what each step represents and what it really means for you to “work the step.”

What is Step One of Alcoholics Anonymous?

According to official AA documentation, Step One is as such:

“We admit we are powerless over alcohol – that our lives had become unmanageable.”

There are 2 parts to this step, admitting powerlessness over alcohol and admitting that one’s life has become unmanageable. Although it may seem simple to “complete” this step and move on to the next, it isn’t that simple. Admitting you have a problem is always said to be the first step of recovery, but this doesn’t mean you are heading in the direction of sobriety. This is because once someone realizes or admits they have a problem they may begin to feel like they are unable or unwilling to make the necessary changes. 

Without being able to work step one of Alcoholics Anonymous, you will not be able to properly benefit from the rest of the program.

Let’s breakdown this first step of Alcoholics Anonymous:

What is powerlessness?

When referring to powerlessness in AA, it is referring to the inability to control how much alcohol you drink. Admitting that you are powerlessness over alcohol means that you cannot and never will be able to drink alcohol in a safe manner again. Any thoughts at all of drinking again in the future mean that you have not fully admitted to yourself that you are powerless over alcohol. In this way, admitting powerlessness means accepting that you can never drink alcohol again in the future – even in full amounts.

What does unmanageable mean?

Identifying a life that is “unmanageable” can be subjective, but there are a few clear ways in which one’s life could be labeled as such. If there are responsibilities at work, school, or in your personal life that are not being met, then this is a good sign of unmanageability. When drinking has become the priority and your career, relationships, finances, and other aspects of your life are suffering, these are signs that your life is unmanageable. Accepting that your life is unmanageable is often easier than admitting powerlessness over alcohol.

Help with Step One

Although Step One of AA is something that has to happen within yourself, that doesn’t mean that outside influences can’t help you get there. Working 1 on 1 with a therapist or attending group meetings can provide the ability to hear how others have worked this step and allow you the opportunity to talk out your own through process. Although you can if you desire, there is no need to work any of the AA steps completely on your own. Contact us to learn more about how we support 12 step programs at The Freedom Center.

Am I An Alcoholic?

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“Am I an alcoholic quiz” is what someone with a drinking issue might type into their search bar if they are questioning their habits. Typing this question leads to so many sources of blogs, quizzes, and treatment facilities. Unfortunately, how could you really know you’re either an alcoholic or a heavy drinker, abusing alcohol, or experiencing alcohol addiction? What do all the terms even mean?

What is an Alcoholic?

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), an alcoholic is a person medically diagnosed with alcohol addiction, alcoholism, or alcohol use disorder (AUD).

NIAAA defines heavy alcohol use as more than 4 drinks on any day for men or more than 3 drinks for women.

What is Alcohol Use Disorder?

The NIAAA defines AUD as “chronic relapsing brain disorder characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences.” AUD is diagnosed by NIAAA based on the following questions;

In the past year, have you:

  • Had times when you ended up drinking more, or longer than you intended?
  • More than once wanted to cut down or stop drinking, or tried to, but couldn’t?
  • Spent a lot of time drinking? Or being sick or getting over the aftereffects?
  • Experienced craving — a strong need, or urge, to drink?
  • Found that drinking — or being sick from drinking — often interfered with taking care of your home or family? Or caused job troubles? Or school problems?
  • Continued to drink even though it was causing trouble with your family or friends?
  • Given up or cut back on activities that were important or interesting to you, or gave you pleasure, in order to drink?
  • More than once gotten into situations while or after drinking that increased your chances of getting hurt (such as driving, swimming, using machinery, walking in a dangerous area, or having unsafe sex)?
  • Continued to drink even though it was making you feel depressed or anxious or adding to another health problem? Or after having had a memory blackout?
  • Had to drink much more than you once did to get the effect you want? Or found that your usual number of drinks had much less effect than before?
  • Found that when the effects of alcohol were wearing off, you had withdrawal symptoms, such as trouble sleeping, shakiness, irritability, anxiety, depression, restlessness, nausea, or sweating? Or sensed things that were not there?

AUD can be diagnosed as mild, moderate, to severe depending on the number of above criteria met.

Other methods of screening to recognize alcoholism provided by the Assessing Alcohol Problems: A Guide for Clinicians and Researchers are the following:

CAGE

C: Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking?

A: Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?

G: Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking?

E: Have you ever had an eye-opener where you drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover?

T-ACE

T: What’s your tolerance? How many drinks does it take to make you feel high?

A: Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?

C: Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking?

E: Have you ever had an eye-opener where you drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover?

These methods are similar in question as they assess alcohol problems during a lifetime. Answering positively to two or more questions does raise a concern and further assessment should be sought by medical professionals.

How Accurate Are the Online Alcoholic Quizzes?

Online quizzes are enjoyable, however, taking any online “am I an alcoholic” quiz cannot attest to any disorder. Online alcoholic quizzes cannot give you the correct medical diagnosis that is needed for the alcoholic use disorder. Although they may be helpful by making you aware that your alcohol intake is excessive and treatment should be sought after, they are not accountable diagnoses.

In order to properly question drinking habits or suspected alcohol abuse, speak with a medical professional who can better assist you with resources and steps to recovery.

Sources:

https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh28-2/78-79.htm

https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/overview-alcohol-consumption/alcohol-use-disorders

https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/overview-alcohol-consumption/moderate-binge-drinking

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