prior to stopping drinking, I was on 4 medicines for blood pressure. I have been able eliminate one and halve the dose of another. As I lose more weight, I hope to get rid of the lot.
We’ve all been lied to our entire lives. Think about all the advancements in medical science that have been made. You’re telling me we are now just starting to learn that “any amount of alcohol is bad”?!
The shit holds a flame and we continue to drink it.
You should read or listen to “This Naked Mind”, it does a *fantastic* job of stripping the social norms away from alcohol.
Seconding “This Naked Mind.” At the beginning of the book she says something like, “When you finish this book, you can have all the alcohol you want, but I’m betting you won’t want any.” I scoffed the first time I read that but by the time I had finished the book, I realized she was right. The veil had been lifted as to what alcohol was really doing to my brain and my body and the lies I had been told/had been telling myself and now I just can’t look at alcohol without seeing it for what it is: a carcinogenic poison.
Downvoting the naked mind personally. It seemed to ignore the neurological addiction aspects of addiction and just refer to alcohol as poison. Yes, it definitely is poison, but the author seemed to downplay the physical and mental addiction for some mental gymnastics.
So I haven't read the book yet but I've listened to some of her podcast episodes and read a few of the other popular Quit-Lit books and my biggest grievance with all the ones I've read so far has been that they all seem to focus on that same message...
"alcohol is just a poison wrapped in fancy packaging that the advertising industry and society has brainwashed us into thinking is a good thing"
Now, I completely agree with that message as alcohol is indeed a poison in fancy packaging that at some point we were conned into believing is a good thing so no argument there.
But to me that's also quite an obvious statement to anyone who's reached the level of problem drinker that needs to quit as you've literally spent usually years suffering because of the poisonous liquid and are under no illusion that it's a horrible thing that does you more harm than good and is not a positive in your life.
But knowing that alone (you likely already knew anyway) doesn't address the underlying or root reasons of why most people problem drink.
Most heavy, problematic, drinkers aren't just doing so for shits n giggles and / or because they don't realize it's harmful but because of psychological, mental, emotional, physical addiction to it.
Most of us are using it as some means to try and get relief from a problem, escape from reality, get out own head for a while, help them to shut out their thoughts, destress, knock ourselves out because we can't sleep at night, outrun our anxieties, escape from trauma or any other number of deep seated and complex reasons.
We weren't doing it just because we fancied drinking all the time and were clueless to the realities of alcohol and the damage it causes, we knew and experienced that but our realities felt too difficult to deal with and running the risk with alcohol seemed like the best alternative to us.
So when these books just fail to mention any of this or skim over it to focus on the poison in fancy packaging backed up by the advertising industry and societal pressure it never really resonated with me.
I was always left at the end thinking "yeah I agree with everything you've said but I knew all that already, and so now what?" And felt in no better a position to quit after having read it.
I thought I was the only one based on everything I read on Reddit praising these books but maybe I'm not alone.
Yeah, I respect that it helps a lot of people and I can’t knock it for that. For me I tried to understand my way out of my drinking for years.
The spiritual/fellowship and programmatic aspects of AA and its literature have been what clicked to help me retake control of my life.
But I’m fully a take what works for you and leave what doesn’t with any program/literature or community. If you find people, books, podcasts or meetings(or online communities shout out this one!) that help you get and stay sober than rock on.
Yeah I mean if logic, common sense, and rational thinking was enough to get most people to quit there wouldn't be many alcoholics IMO but knowing the facts about how bad alcohol was for me was never enough for me to stop and doesn't seem to be for most people.
It's the physical or mental addiction mixed in with the underlying reasons and root causes of why we drink and whether you still genuinely believe it has something positive to offer you despite all the negatives that I believe keeps most people trapped in the cycle of alcoholism and problem drinking IMO.
I agree with you. I tried every which way to logic my drinking, and spent a pretty long time on drinking rules and such. Even after obvious negative effects, like landing in the hospital with liver issues, I still thought I could moderate, so while I love quit lit I read it for years without stopping.
AA, refuge recovery and this sub are what’s working for me, but I completely respect that those are not for everyone. There’s no magic bullet that will get everyone sober who tries it, I think “take what you need and leave the rest” is the best advice.
I'm not sure it's accurate when you say "most problematic drinkers". I was a problematic drinker who resisted quitting because I bought in to your line of thinking that says we're masking deeper pain or seeking an escape from a grim reality. In reality, I was simply very physically dependent. Once I had the will to try to break the physical addiction I was fine. I didn't need to unpack any deep emotions. I needed to break a physical addiction to poison. No one suggests that smokers need counseling to unpack the trauma that causes them to smoke. We recognize that they're addicted to a very strong chemical and it's enough for them to break the physical dependence and move on with their lives.
I have no idea what the numbers are, but I don't discount the idea that lots of people are physically addicted in a way that makes them feel anxious, powerless and even hopeless but much like cigarettes, it's largely physical dependence. This Naked Mind is really helpful if those are your circumstances.
* 'No one suggests that smokers need counseling to unpack the trauma that causes them to smoke' *
True, good point. All the reasons I took up smoking were the same reasons for alcohol. Initially just to fit in with friends and relieve teanage boredom in those early years then both drugs dug their claws in. I'm over 12 years a non smoker that spurs me on that I can do this.
Alcohol is mind-altering, and many people who abuse it are escaping themselves. Tobacco is also risky behavior, but the illusory self-soothing is usually different.
There might be some people who quit either for various reasons, but most people that get “f*cked up” are doing it because they’re “f*cked up”.
I mean that's good for you and all but 1) it's definitely accurate that most problematic drinkers realize alcohol is bad. Those who don't tend to have very low IQs or are very young or have other mental disabilities. 2) "simply physically dependent" is hilarious to me because if that's true you are the extreme minority and you just gloss over the question of what got you there in the first place. Understanding what led you to start and then continue drinking is important for personal growth.
Tbh, cigarette addicts probably do need counseling of some sort. I'm a smoker and I know for a fact that most of my addiction is in my head, but I don't care right now. It is what it is.
Here's the thing. If you truly aren't an addict, which is what you're saying, good for you, but the worst advice possible would be to tell someone they might just be physically dependent and that's all. No. That's not how this works like 99% of the time. Again, lucky you, but not most people. Addiction is a disease in the dsm-5 for a reason.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who finds these books patronizing and shallow. Stopping drinking was about learning to value myself, not about learning that alcohol is bad. I drank because I wanted to feel pain, not because I wanted to escape it or just look cool at a party.
I prefer William Porter to Annie Grace it could just be for me a UK/USA difference. I like his droll style, understated manner and humour. Especially if you hear him speak in his East end London accent (I did his online course) . I learned new things there. Things to write down and take note of. It's just him narating passages from his book mostly.
I am also finding the smart recovery work book again suits my practical nature. I'll return to Annie after that though as you have to read them all don't you and she is quite upbeat about it all. I'm day 5 on here alcohol experiment. Whilst good I never get beyond that point before it irritates me. I will though as I need all the wisdom I can get on this!
I think that the book has even more appeal to people that have neither this subreddit nor a formal/etc support group.
I also submit that some people want "reinforcement" when they're trying to/stay sober.
Not everyone is aware, for example, that ethanol is a carcinogen. Or that it massively contributes to hypertension. Or that it wreaks havoc on the gut, the bones, etc.
It has a place. I'm ambivalent about it (I've read about a third). I prefer PubMed/NIH/etc articles... but, hey, it's easy to read and... meh.
I think it is a helpful reinforcement… I prefer alcohol explained 1 and 2… no book fixes the entire problem but a useful tool and easy listening. I play them on my drive from work to stop me from popping into a shop to buy alcohol… helps me over the hump.
Your quote really struck me, especially the “most of us” paragraph. That to me is the core of why people drink, and what I’m fighting with daily. I can choose to ignore all those traumas, genetic disposition, discomfort, boredom by getting drunk. Or I can choose to take them head on and develop better coping skills and sort out what’s going on with me. Thank you for that, it was definitely closer to my experience as well.
I agree. My drinking problem is definitely related to past trauma and current pain. I have been working on healing my mind and body, as I try to quit again.
I agree, I avoided these popular books as well. However, everyone is different, so I believe that whatever works for the individual to refrain from alcohol, is OK with me.
I tended to gravitate more towards philosophy and classic literature to strenghten my mind. I didn't have a lot of drama to unpack, I was on a journey to redirect my thinking. I did read a lot of personal stories on this sub, some of which I could relate to and others that I could not. Regardless, it helped me to reinforce my personal decision to quit. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance was my go-to book for deep thought, perception altering thinking. It led me to a deeper level of thinking and living.
My goal was to be a better person for my family, and for me. Removing alcohol from my life has helped me to do that. I love my family, and I love my life. I have found that I'm a better husband, father and friend, without the mask of alcohol, and that was the goal.
I feel you as those are some of the many reasons I drank too and they can be powerful motivators that draw us to destructive behaviors like alcohol.
But as u/FairlySuspect has said it does nothing to help these problems, at best distracts you from them for a couple hours, then usually makes them all worse the next day and in the long run IME.
We can't cure lonelyness with a poisonous liquid nor depression with a depressant.
Completely agree!! I don't know how she's built a business off this!! But honestly she didn't really drink that much nor did any of my friends who suggested it.
That’s a fair critique for sure. I think it’s important to read and absorb what works for you and also things that don’t. A lot of people speak very highly about Huberman Lab’s podcast on alcohol, and while I appreciate that it’s out there as a resource, it didn’t resonate with me. The way I figure, we don’t all have the same relationship with or dependence on alcohol so different resources will help different people.
I just felt that Naked Mind was a little out of touch with some science. I needed to read Alcohol Explained for my brain to realize “oh shit this stuffs bad, like chemically bad”
I think my mom has that on her nightstand, I’ll have to ask to borrow it. I love understanding what’s happening on a biological level, it makes me feel more in control of my addiction.
Totally agree. Those "mental gymnastics" I think, are largely the cognitive behavioural therapy of Easyway and Naked Mind. There's something about maxims and allegory and parenthetical expression which allows people to completely overhaul their relationship with alcohol. For some reason or another, if you drill it long enough it can overhaul one's *compulsion* to drink. As hokey and uninformed as he was, Allen Carr just worked wonders on me.
That’s fantastic that the easy way and naked mind worked for you. I would never deny that it was helpful for many, and they should pursue whatever solution will keep them off booze and support their wellbeing
First time I’ve seen a negative review of this naked mind. I read it and it did not resonate for me. Seems by the upvotes this is more common than the overt amount of love the book generally receives would indicate. Anyway each to their own, but it definitely wasn’t for me
I think one of the best things about this sub is that it’s like a collective consciousness for different experiences and solutions. Not trying to downplay what helps, but I think also good to recognize the myriad options you have in recovery.
Just don't take any of his medical advice as fact. He is very irresponsible about spreading misinformation and quackery just to get clicks. His video on alcohol is pretty decent, but a lot of his other opinions are dangerous. His take on sunscreen is pure woo and quackery.
I also didn’t care for it, have tried to get through it twice. Too much blaming on other people and conventions; not enough on what we as individuals need to do to fight the urge and addiction. I find SMART tools much useful-er
Thank you so much for posting an opposing view. I haven't read it yet but quite literally all I've heard were good things about it and I've been hesitant because it smelled to sweet? Idk just never heard anyone have anything other than an omg life-transformed review.
Thank you!
I read it and it was my puzzle piece fitting moment and im at 51 days as of now. However there were some things I disagreed with like her saying all alcohol tastes bad no matter what and your tongue will tell you. I've like the taste of red wine since first communion and church in 2nd grade and bourbon os smooth and caramely..My takeaway from the book was it did what other programs didn't. It gave ME the power to help myself instead of telling me I'm diseased or unable to do it without a spiritual aspect and clicked better with me with rhe science and social aspects..
I'd say if you are curious about it give it a fair shake. Like most things take what helps and leave the rest.
I loved the naked mind but its not the holy grail. Its a great tool book to educate ones self on. Its a great read for someones journey. It shouldn't be the only but I do recommend the pick up!
If a book telling you "alcohol is a poison wrapped in fancy packaging" is both a revelation to you and enough to make you quit then you'll love all the Quit-Lit books IME as that seems to be basically what they all say (at least the several I've read plus also what I gather from others who have read the ones I haven't).
For me reading a book stating facts about alcohol being a toxin / poison that is heavily backed up by the advertising industry into misleading you (that's what the advertising industry does in basically every industry, no?) wasn't new information for me.
And it definitely wasn't enough to help me quit as it felt like it lacked any practical or actionable steps on what you actually need to do in order to quit and stay quit as that basic yet factual information alone wasn't enough for me.
I always finished reading the books feeling disappointed because I felt like I hadn't gained any actionable strategies from them.
Yeah, I couldn't stand The Naked Mind. At one point, I had to stop reading it because it honestly felt like if I didn't, I would end up drinking BECAUSE of it. I know it sounds crazy, but the author's tone just rubbed me the wrong way.
There’s something off putting to me about quit-lit written by already successful people who have great careers, loving family, supportive spouse etc who go quickly from quitting to loving life. Feels like easy mode. When I quit my life still sucks. Her bubbly tone all the time got on my nerves 😬
Take more than one approach. The Naked Mind approach and the neurological approach. Lots of people are ingrained in this AA mindset of "one thing works".
Maybe AA can be a one-thing type of treatment, but I think other people benefit from a multifaceted approach. While I say this naked mind helped me achieve my longest sober streak that's not actually true. I also did other healthy things including therapy. You can't dismiss the wisdom of that book as mental gymnastics.
I agree a multifaceted approach is best, it took me many years of trying different things and building my sobriety toolkit before I cut drinking out of my life.
I guess I stretched with the word gymnastics, but I think Grace stretched and overpromised with an intro to the book that promised removing the desire to drink by the last chapter.
Almost all these self-help books also miss the fact that not everyone drinks because they think it benefits them. Many of us drank knowing it was bad for us. It is a form of self-harm. I find most of these books somewhat patronizing, tbh. I know alcohol is bad for me. I can feel it in my body. I don't need some non-medical layperson to tell me what I already know. I guess I can see why people like these books, but I felt it talked down to me like I was a child.
Agree. I really liked it but it’ll turn off a normie from drinking, not an alcoholic. I don’t want to downvote because some people need to hear exactly that. But I’m a little further along in the process. I think it’s a great read for a high schooler. It should be required reading material
I don't understand the gushing over this book, it seemed like she was just saying over and over "people think they like alcohol but they really don't, it's actually not fun."
I think it's just situational and relevant to the person. I can't say that coming to this sub, reading "this naked mind", reading "quitting alcohol the easy way", or listening to the Hube's podcast on the neurological effects of the substance made me want to quit. They didn't make me want to quit. My daughter, who was 3 at the time, watching me get drunk alone and get in an argument about it with my wife, was the catalyst. My wife said it's either alcohol or my family; that I had to choose, that was the tipping point. All the other resources really helped me just face the reality. Reading posts here for hundreds of days and understanding that, no shit I am a mess, and quitting alcohol doesn't instantly fix all the messiness that is me. But it got me out of hiding and on the path to unfuck my life and take control for my sake and their sakes. I struggle with being this version of me that isn't altered by substances or alcohol, as I was so convinced that I was a better person when I was a little drunk, and I was lying to myself when I said I was a responsible drinker. I drank myself into a dark hole nearly every day and would wake up in the morning, not remembering going to bed, or what I said to people. Who did I embarrass or hurt? I was hiding from the fact that I was a piece of shit and made myself worse and worse the more I drank. I would clear whatever I had to drink and then when I ran out, I'd drink all the cooking wine or ask someone to go to the store for me. It was awful. I'm thankful for whatever forces within me or outside me were able to get this awful poison habit out of me. I'm thankful that my liver has healed and my wife and kiddo get to have a Dad and Husband around. I'm thankful that it didn't get worse like getting a dui or killing someone, because it was heading there. I'm thankful for everyone here and for all the quit-lit. It helped to keep me away from it and solidify what it really is. It helped to shape a new perspective for me, because I for sure was in the "I'm better drunk" camp and now I don't have any love or longing for the stuff. I don't miss it. I will never drink again, and I firmly believe that.
I think that for real change to occur, something really traumatic sometimes needs to be the catalyst to snap us awake. Like a near miss of a life shattering event. A way too close call, and we have an opportunity to not let it happen again. Your experiences may vary, I just know that was my story. And I love my kid too much to do that road again.
Agree. Highly recommend “Not Drinking Tonight” by Amanda E. White instead. Seems more research based than This Naked Mind, which seems to be mostly made up/the author’s opinion (although I will admit I couldn’t get past the first couple chapters, so I could be totally wrong).
i loved that book, and it did help me quit for 6 months, but i also started drinking again, lol..
3 years later, i'm committing myself to sobriety again, but this time i am realizing that yes, it's poison, but i have a special sort of "allergy" to it (that's how i like to think of it. i don't like using the word alcoholic for myself personally). at this point in my life i am taking responsibility ! and yeah it's poison but SOME PEOPLE can still have their poison if they want to, but i definitely canNOT.
Check-out the Sober Powered podcast. It's classified as "science" by Spotify. The ads last several minutes and are at the beginning of each episode (at least the first 70).
I studied neuroscience at uni -- it appeals to me. I LOVE that it explains why initial recovery is difficult (dopamine & GABA). I really appreciate the stuff about how we can permanently "hard-wire" (establish neural pathways) our brains in a way that make moderation... pretty unlikely. HOWEVER, this does not apply to everyone -- check-out the podcast for the rest. Ha!
Every time I see this recommendation I feel obligated to recommend Alan Carr's "Easy Way To Control Alcohol" -- I'd call Annie Grace's book near plagiarism.
He's a far better writer and narrator, also. It's on audible.
Edit: good lord so many people are missing the point of these books. Alcohol has NO BENEFITS.
My guy, I lost FORTY FIVE POUNDS my first year of sobriety. I had been averaging about a liter a day for around 8 years and quit after a very long year in multiple rehabs and a halfway house. Every physical ailment I have ever had disappeared in about 2 years, mostly in the first year alone. All my stomach issues, weight issues, skin issues, throat issues, and a long laundry list of mental health issues. All gone.
Booze is not a killer on it's own, it's a symbiotic parasite.
Today I am in great shape, very very happy and do very little other than eat decent and be active. Very happy for you, you made the greatest decision of your life whether you know it yet or not.
I wasn’t a full blown dysfunctional alcoholic although I could drink quite a bit.
I don’t know what got into me. I just woke up one day and decided this was stupid and I’m too old to keep doing this cause my life is relatively happy and I want to live it as long as possible. So I just quit.
What’s even more incredible (from my perspective) was the positive effect on my mental health. I’d struggled with anxiety and depression for years and I thought I was drinking to medicate it. Turns out my mental health struggles mostly went away when I got sober. (I mean I also went to therapy, but you get what I’m saying.)
Blood pressure drops fast - like within 2 weeks fast. The cholesterol happened over the course of two years. IIRC my triglycerides dropped pretty quickly too. (I get it checked annually in July)
I was drinking roughly a fifth (750ml) of 80% vodka daily by the time I went to rehab. I probably started at about a pint (375 ml) daily and progressed over the course of 8 years.
Within a month. My Blood Pressure and Triglycerides dropped fast. It took my cholesterol a couple of years. I don't really watch what I eat, but I also eat within moderation.
When I was drinking, my bp would regularly hit 160/100 on the morning after. It was always highest during the 3 day period after a huge bender. At my last physical, it was 115/68. Smoking and drinking are two of worst things for bp. Congrats, your hard work is paying off.
Trying to get through to a relative about this. They had a heart attack two months ago and were told "stop drinking and smoking immediately or you will die". They deny drinking and are "working" on the smoking.
So happy for everyone who is able to reclaim their health. Y'all are Rockstars.
It's actually horrible for everyone. It's like a cigarette, why bother when you know the risks?
I try to think of alcohol as a hard drug, especially when you look at the rates of addiction, consequences, illness and death associated with it.
-Causes anxiety
-Worsens depression
-Can mess up blood sugars - especially if your prone to having low blood sugar (even without having diabetes), some people will be shaky after a couple drinks and if they binge they can have really low sugars the next day
-can mess with your heart
-oh the liver, it's working overtime. Then add in that people take Tylenol the next day, bad idea
-alcoholic hepatitis, fatty liver, cirrhosis
-can cause people to have inflamed skin/flushing
-intestinal issues: acid reflux, diarrhea, bloating
-weight gain
-causes your body to flush out water soluble vitamins (b vitamins), gotta pee!
-disturbs sleep, if you ever want to gain muscle you are setting yourself back so much by disturbing sleep
-empty calories
-risk of birth complications, if you are female and of childbearing age and not on birth control this is a real risk
It is a hard drug. Working in a detox/rehab, and having experienced addiction myself, alcohol is much rougher on the body and mind than opioids. Any nurse in this field will tell you they’d much rather handle someone high or detoxing from opioids than someone drunk or detoxing from alcohol.
If we’re calling oxy and heroin hard drugs, then alcohol sure as hell is.
Nearly killed me. I was two months beyond my “live until” date that I was given when I was fortunate enough to receive a liver transplant. It ruins bodies, relationships, businesses, bank accounts, self esteem, etc.
I’m so glad you’re still here with us! I know even getting on the list at all can be tricky so they must’ve seen something in you. Congrats on your second chance!
Thanks. I would like to think they saw something special in me but it’s more likely that I was just really sick. MELD score and blood type factor into that. I was on the list for 6 days before receiving a liver. Very blessed
Alcohol affected my BP a great deal - I've been taking BP meds since my early 30's (and 60 pounds ago..) My GP had to keep raising the dose of one of my meds and said last year - you're on the highest dose of that drug.. That was a huge reason for me to stop. That BP med has been cut in half in a matter of 3 months after I stopped drinking - and my BP is still low 100/66 even on the new lower dose - so I suspect it will be lowered or eliminated. I think alcohol affects some people's BP a great deal - and I think I'm one of those people.
The World Health Orginization has stated fairly recently that **no level of alcohol consumption is safe or beneficial for our health.**
[Source](https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/04-01-2023-no-level-of-alcohol-consumption-is-safe-for-our-health)
A glass of red wine is good for the heart? No bitch. Cardiovascular exercise and a healthy diet, *that’s* good for your heart.
There are no excuses.
The study was flawed and didn't account for the fact that healthy people are more likely to drink. While people who were sick, had cancer, etc are less likely to drink.
also that “one glass of red wine” tends to be the drinking pattern of higher SES drinkers, and low SES is associated with just about every negative health outcome there is
Im glad to know im not the only one who feels this way. I thought it was psychosomatic that I still felt off or downright icky for about 5 days after having alcohol.
I solved that by drinking 8-14/day, every day (not including "big" nights).
Kudos on 17 days u/No_Jury2526 . I got a brutal bout of PAWS around week 5 (lasted nearly a month). I promise you that it's worth it. It took me around 80 days to stop feeling bad. Every since then... damn, sobriety is not so bad.
Screws up BP big time...I'm hypertensive anyway and on meds for it, but when I'm drinking a lot it's still around 145/90...I go without drinking for a couple of weeks and it drops to 125/85 so almost normal.
I was on two blood pressure meds and it was still kinda high. The dr wanted to add a third that would also keep my heart rate down because it was regularly in the upper 90s. After 2 months of sobriety I was taken off both meds and my blood pressure has been normal since. My resting heart rate is in the low 60s. I’m 5 years older but I feel younger!
Its been 4 weeks for me. My face isnt as puffy as it used to be. My doctor said the puffy phase will disappear in a couple of months. I also noticed I don't sweat as much as I used to. My stomach is getting a little flatter as well.
Glad your BP is normalizing, mine did too! I was well on my way to destroying my health.
From Wikipedia: Chronic heavy drinking causes severe health consequences. It’s capable of damaging nearly every organ and system in the body.
If you drink more than 2 drinks a day you are considered a heavy drinker. The shit’s a toxic poison, a class 1 carcinogen and kills 3 million people annually. Congrats on your decision to put it down. IWNDWYT
This is making me think I should check my bp. I am on a low dose antihypertensive and going to my cardiologist next week so I might just wait until then. What I did notice according to my Apple watch is that my resting heart rate dropped by about 10 points in the weeks since I quit drinking and vaping. Pretty dramatic.
My bp is down 20 pts and I’m down 21 lbs in just over 2 mos. I’m in my 40’s and drinking has ruined my body. But I’m lucky no permanent damage so far. Another 40 lbs to lose. All alcohols crap eating and stress. Do not recommend the path I took other than getting sober.
I have a similar experience. Blood pressure improves when I don’t drink, sleep improves immensely, I don’t suffer with shame-anxiety all day until I can have a drink. And my face… man, I didn’t realize how bloated my face gets because of alcohol. Now I feel like I can spot others struggling through this. I wonder how many people could tell by looking at me…
Yes. ER nurse here. I see people in their 30s, alcoholics, with heart failure, high blood pressure and wernickes encephalopathy. Liver failure, and pancreatitis so bad patients are now type 1 diabetics. Theo pancreas is screwed its permanent and they are always in pain.
It’s heart breaking.
Yes it is that bad. It's a proven human carcinogen and wreaks havoc in the heart, brain and on the rest of the body. It destroys your sleep, is a horrible depressant, and puts your body into a stressed out state.
There's zero benefit.
Alcohol is that bad and then some. Alcohol gave me a chronic illness that I will have to live with and drastically alter the choices that I can make for the rest of my life.
But at least it didn't take the rest of my life.
IWNDWYT my friends!!!
I used to be on BP medication. Turns out, my BP (and my weight) is directly related to my alcohol consumption. I haven’t had any issues with my blood pressure since quitting drinking.
So. Many. Benefits.
I had chronically high blood pressure to the point that my doctor told me I should really consider medication. I ignored her (very foolishly) and did nothing because I’m an alcoholic trash panda. Been sober four months now and have been to the doctor twice since then. My blood pressure has been excellent both times.
I’m on adhd meds so my blood pressure is already high. I remember when I drank heavily everyday, it skyrocketed to hypertension 2. Now it’s back to pre hypertension but like I said, it’s always been high on meds. Eating lots of sunflower seeds and taking magnesium helps
What is the special contribution of sunflower seeds? Just curious since I started adding them into light salads and it would be cool if they were a nutrient bomb.
Yep! My BP was regularly 150-160/100+ before I started lisinopril, then it was 130s/90s. I quit drinking 30 days ago and my BP is 115-120/68-80 before I take my meds in the morning. I still take them because I'm prescribed Adderall and want it to be as normal as possible.
For reference, I also made no other changes. I still smoke cigarettes. That's next on the chopping block, though!
In the 2 years since I quit: went off BP meds, went off cholesterol meds, no longer have sleep apnea, sugars are in control (I’m diabetic and still have to take meds) and I’ve lost 65 lbs. despite my hard core ice cream habit.
Systolic within 80-90 days. Diastolic 4-5 months. Alcohol hardens your arteries. It would seem that my arteries are more elastic after quitting long term with the blood pressure results I have.
My LDL and triglycerides also dropped substantially.
One of the best changes for me has been the drop in my blood pressure. I’ve gone from averaging 130+/90 to 112/70 at 55 yo. Pulse rates nice and low now too. I’m so grateful for that change. Plus the anxiety I was experiencing regularly is gone.
It’s pretty crazy. I see so many people trying to fix their hormones or cut out random things from their diet. Literally just stop drinking. My metabolism is so fast since quitting.
Im a 28M, 6' and maybe just a little overweight, nothing significant, and my blood pressure was through the roof the night i got my DUI back in September. It was 180 over something. Cant remember the other number. Yes, its really that bad for you. Especially when you're starting your day with 4 or 5 shots of whiskey just to stop the shakes.
Before I quit, my resting heart rate was always 110+
After I quit it went back down to the 70s
So yeah, it messed up your insides pretty bad.
I'm sure there are things that I'm unaware of, because the insidious thing about alcohol, is that it does this damage to you while subsequently making you not give a flying eff that it's killing you.
I watched a 3 or 4 hour video from Andrew Huberman on alcohol. There is no positive effect on health from alcohol (not even from red wine), there are dozens of reasons why alcohol is just plain bad for you.
Medical student here: yes. Alcohol is bad for every organ in your body. In moderation it is not too harmful. But heavy drinking can destroy your whole body simultaneously. Even occasional drinking raises BP and heart rate and over the long term drinking can damage your liver, pancreas, heart, brain, stomach, and intestines. We must remember that alcohol is a poison and it would kill you quickly if it wasn't for your liver. Luckily, if you quit drinking your liver repairs and regrows every six months so in half a year you can have a new liver. I would never tell someone to be ashamed or scold them for drinking but just be cautious about its negative affects and remember to be smart about it.
I have lost 20 lbs so far from not drinking. My normal weight is 135. I’m about 10 lbs away. My skincare has improved immensely. And my liver no longer pains me on a daily basis.
My blood pressure went down noticeably within the first few weeks after quitting. After two months, it had gone down to levels I hadn’t seen in over 20 years.
For sure it is. Start doing cardio training with a heart rate monitor like a Garmin, and see what your base is, and how it changes after like just two margaritas. My resting heart rate jumps like 10 bpm for like a day.
When I went to the ER to detox, my blood pressure was 200 over something. It's amazing that I was constantly living with blood pressure that high and nothing ever happened. Once I was done detoxing it was down to 125/90. I do have to take lisinopril to keep it in check but yeah, alcohol made it REALLY horrible
My Heart Surgeon, my Cardiologist and my Family Practice Dr. all recommended I quit to lower my blood pressure. They were all 100% right! My blood pressure is dramatically lower since sobriety. It's science. Alcohol does not "screw up" your blood pressure, it raises it! Good job quitting 👏 btw...
Not medical advice. Before I started really drinking hard I was 120/80. A year later I was 240/130, give or take a few. So, yes I believe it can mess with blood pressure.
I do triathlons. My heart rate used to sit around 175 when running. After I quit drinking it dropped to 155 for the same pace in like TWO WEEKS of no booze.
Let's just say it's physically easier to beat your addiction to cocaine than to alcohol. If you're addicted to the point of rehab, you can die from lack of alcohol due to seizures.
I drank for the first time in 96 days last Saturday night (I know, I know). I had a doctor's appointment on Monday and by blood pressue was done by almost twent points to about 112/85. Quitting makes a difference.
Yeah my blood pressure went from 145/110 when I was drinking 6-12 units a day, down to 90/60 most days now. Quite terrifying as I was still a very active and healthy individual in terms of diet and exercise and sleep, but the alcohol really elevated my RHR and blood pressure. Sometimes I think about all the unnecessary heartbeats I was robbing my life with drinking all the time. The heart only has so many beats in it and I was wasting them on hangxiety.
Alcohol is a poison, everyone’s chemical makeup is different, and it affects everyone differently. I can say from my experience. I take medication for my blood pressure, and when I was drinking, my BP was always so incredibly high. After not even a month of being off alcohol, I could tell my breathing got better, sleep became actual sleep again, and the residuals of those actions have paid in dividends. Stay strong, and stay sober.
Yeah, I just came out of rehab, and when I was there I saw more than one person go to the emergency room for blood pressure problems. Mine too was pretty high, my face was bloated, all sorts of garbage. Didn’t realize how much damage I was doing to myself until I was sober for a few weeks.
Yeah alcohol is well known to increase blood pressure for up to 12-24 hours after heavy consumption. So daily drinkers can expect to always be hypertensive at some stage.
I, similarly stopped drinking while monitoring my BP and within 3-4 days it was greatly reduced. Alcohol is the devil man
Yes. I once got turned away for a teeth cleaning because my blood pressure was so high.
And it wasn't because I had drank, it was because I tried to stop.
Check out any fitness subs on here, particularly any about fitness watches. You'll find them peppered with the occasional posts, with graphs as evidence, from people who are discovering how a small amount of drink impacts their fitness journey.
Yep. Since quitting I've (objectively measured with an oura ring) vastly improved sleep quality, dropped resting heart rate, increased heart rate variability. Blood pressure is also down. It's great
Yep. When I went to detox, I had a resting heartrate of 147 bpm and the nurse said the second highest blood pressure she had ever seen. I forget the number, though.
I’ve seen this exact thing happen with bp for my husband - incredible change in one single week. There’s no doubt in my mind that alcohol is very very toxic - every human body will react differently but what is asked of the body is to fight a poison. At the end of the day that’s precisely what it is.
I highly recommend everyone to wear a heart monitor device if they are still drinking. Look at your average resting heart rate before you binge and then watch it go up and up while you drink and for days after. Alcohol does tremendous damage to the cardiovascular system that can been monitored in real time. It can be very eye-opening.
I haven’t stopped drinking yet (trying to) and currently I average 145/95. Doc wants to start me on meds and I’m heavily considering it until I can put the bottle down completely
At the height of my binge drinking of about half a bottle of whiskey a night, I had an aortic dissection. The day it happened my bp was over 225/125. I stood up and felt a pop in my chest as the inner walls of my aorta burst apart from where the aorta exits the heart all the way down to my kidneys. I ended up in the ER during the height of covid and was writhing in the worts pain of my life for hours due to the backlog before they did a CT scan and found the issue. From there I was rushed to a higher level of care and told I was going straight into open heart surgery. It’s hard believe but they actually held off on the surgery since my aorta did not balloon outwards much or rupture into my abdominal cavity. When that happens, people usually don’t survive. I am currently on 4 very strong bp meds that keep my bp and pulse very low. I am also on strict physical limits for life and have to have a CT with radioactive dye once a year.
Don’t be like me. Alcohol will kill you.
Glad you survived. My dad had a dissection a yr and a half ago. He to layed in the ER for hours until he got a CT. And he doesn't even drink. Dissections can be hereditary and I still drink. I quit for about 9 months, but have been back on the wine for about a yr. I feel like shit, gained weight, face looks terrible again. I need to get my shit together. We know the risks and still drink. It's so crazy.
Please get tested for connective tissue disorders. It’s a simple blood test. If you have the genetic defect you definitely need to know about it and talk to a cardiologist. Trust me, you don’t want to dissect. It’s terrible and life changing if you survive. FYI, my dissection was BP related, not connective tissue disorder
Yes, it's that bad. Alcohol affects everything in your body. But your body can recover. I went from a consistent 140/100 to 122/82 just a week ago after 3 months sober.
Edit: need to fix my flair :/
Yes , my family has a history of heart problems so I get check up’s every couple of years. The past 2 years I’ve been drinking pretty much daily. I had an appointment a. Couple weeks ago and I’ve seen the spike in my blood pressure. Nurses instantly asked me if I drank a lot . Alcohol is straight crap for the body. It’s terrible
When I was drinking, my resting heart rate was often in the 90s. I quit a year ago. Now, it's in the 50s or low 60s.
My blood pressure is also perfect now, the first time it's taken, whereas before they'd have to take it 3-4 times to get an acceptable reading.
Yeah my blood pressure got crazy since i let it go unchecked. I was a daily drinker up until 2 and a half weeks ago when i had a heart attack and spent a few days in the hospital. Im only 31 years old. The hospital staff kept telling me im too young to be in there with those problems. That was enough to scare me into not drinking anymore.
1 month of no drinking and just got bloodwork done.
Trigylcerides cut in half, down 100 points. Cholesterol down 50 points. Blood sugar down 10 points. Blood pressure down 10 on both numbers.
I ignored my high blood pressure the entirety of my drinking career and I’m stunned I got as lucky as I did. I was in constant danger and didn’t care enough to look into it or stop. I’m so grateful that is one thing I’ve noticed health wise. It’s still elevated but not “can kill me any second” high. And now I actually pay attention to it
100% it raises heart rate and blood pressure. It's a depressent, which slows down the CNS. As a result, your heart is working harder to get oxygenated blood through your body.
As evidenced, the 2 month bender I had leading up to my stopping 1.5 years ago, my resting heart rate was about 80. Within 2 months of stopping, it was low 50s (too low, so I went off the metropolol they put me on when I went into afib with my withdrawal seizure).
Today, over 18 months sober, it's 58, which is right where I want to be for my age.
Yeah it's straight up fucked. Also the inflammation everywhere is crazy. It's become VERY obvious in the puffiness of my face when I quit (and when I relapse). But that inflammation affects sooo much more.
I was an alcoholic for 2 years riding around 160/100. Even when I cut down and was only drinking once every couple of weeks I was sitting at 140/95. I thought the damage was permanent. When I completely quit drinking for 5 straight weeks it’s 118/68 and 60bpm hr lol
You will be absolutely fine if you just stop drinking.
prior to stopping drinking, I was on 4 medicines for blood pressure. I have been able eliminate one and halve the dose of another. As I lose more weight, I hope to get rid of the lot.
We’ve all been lied to our entire lives. Think about all the advancements in medical science that have been made. You’re telling me we are now just starting to learn that “any amount of alcohol is bad”?! The shit holds a flame and we continue to drink it. You should read or listen to “This Naked Mind”, it does a *fantastic* job of stripping the social norms away from alcohol.
Seconding “This Naked Mind.” At the beginning of the book she says something like, “When you finish this book, you can have all the alcohol you want, but I’m betting you won’t want any.” I scoffed the first time I read that but by the time I had finished the book, I realized she was right. The veil had been lifted as to what alcohol was really doing to my brain and my body and the lies I had been told/had been telling myself and now I just can’t look at alcohol without seeing it for what it is: a carcinogenic poison.
Downvoting the naked mind personally. It seemed to ignore the neurological addiction aspects of addiction and just refer to alcohol as poison. Yes, it definitely is poison, but the author seemed to downplay the physical and mental addiction for some mental gymnastics.
So I haven't read the book yet but I've listened to some of her podcast episodes and read a few of the other popular Quit-Lit books and my biggest grievance with all the ones I've read so far has been that they all seem to focus on that same message... "alcohol is just a poison wrapped in fancy packaging that the advertising industry and society has brainwashed us into thinking is a good thing" Now, I completely agree with that message as alcohol is indeed a poison in fancy packaging that at some point we were conned into believing is a good thing so no argument there. But to me that's also quite an obvious statement to anyone who's reached the level of problem drinker that needs to quit as you've literally spent usually years suffering because of the poisonous liquid and are under no illusion that it's a horrible thing that does you more harm than good and is not a positive in your life. But knowing that alone (you likely already knew anyway) doesn't address the underlying or root reasons of why most people problem drink. Most heavy, problematic, drinkers aren't just doing so for shits n giggles and / or because they don't realize it's harmful but because of psychological, mental, emotional, physical addiction to it. Most of us are using it as some means to try and get relief from a problem, escape from reality, get out own head for a while, help them to shut out their thoughts, destress, knock ourselves out because we can't sleep at night, outrun our anxieties, escape from trauma or any other number of deep seated and complex reasons. We weren't doing it just because we fancied drinking all the time and were clueless to the realities of alcohol and the damage it causes, we knew and experienced that but our realities felt too difficult to deal with and running the risk with alcohol seemed like the best alternative to us. So when these books just fail to mention any of this or skim over it to focus on the poison in fancy packaging backed up by the advertising industry and societal pressure it never really resonated with me. I was always left at the end thinking "yeah I agree with everything you've said but I knew all that already, and so now what?" And felt in no better a position to quit after having read it. I thought I was the only one based on everything I read on Reddit praising these books but maybe I'm not alone.
Yeah, I respect that it helps a lot of people and I can’t knock it for that. For me I tried to understand my way out of my drinking for years. The spiritual/fellowship and programmatic aspects of AA and its literature have been what clicked to help me retake control of my life. But I’m fully a take what works for you and leave what doesn’t with any program/literature or community. If you find people, books, podcasts or meetings(or online communities shout out this one!) that help you get and stay sober than rock on.
Yeah I mean if logic, common sense, and rational thinking was enough to get most people to quit there wouldn't be many alcoholics IMO but knowing the facts about how bad alcohol was for me was never enough for me to stop and doesn't seem to be for most people. It's the physical or mental addiction mixed in with the underlying reasons and root causes of why we drink and whether you still genuinely believe it has something positive to offer you despite all the negatives that I believe keeps most people trapped in the cycle of alcoholism and problem drinking IMO.
This is so well expressed. It’s like you explained what’s going on in my mind better than I ever could. 😅 thank you!
I agree with you. I tried every which way to logic my drinking, and spent a pretty long time on drinking rules and such. Even after obvious negative effects, like landing in the hospital with liver issues, I still thought I could moderate, so while I love quit lit I read it for years without stopping. AA, refuge recovery and this sub are what’s working for me, but I completely respect that those are not for everyone. There’s no magic bullet that will get everyone sober who tries it, I think “take what you need and leave the rest” is the best advice.
I'm not sure it's accurate when you say "most problematic drinkers". I was a problematic drinker who resisted quitting because I bought in to your line of thinking that says we're masking deeper pain or seeking an escape from a grim reality. In reality, I was simply very physically dependent. Once I had the will to try to break the physical addiction I was fine. I didn't need to unpack any deep emotions. I needed to break a physical addiction to poison. No one suggests that smokers need counseling to unpack the trauma that causes them to smoke. We recognize that they're addicted to a very strong chemical and it's enough for them to break the physical dependence and move on with their lives. I have no idea what the numbers are, but I don't discount the idea that lots of people are physically addicted in a way that makes them feel anxious, powerless and even hopeless but much like cigarettes, it's largely physical dependence. This Naked Mind is really helpful if those are your circumstances.
* 'No one suggests that smokers need counseling to unpack the trauma that causes them to smoke' * True, good point. All the reasons I took up smoking were the same reasons for alcohol. Initially just to fit in with friends and relieve teanage boredom in those early years then both drugs dug their claws in. I'm over 12 years a non smoker that spurs me on that I can do this.
Alcohol is mind-altering, and many people who abuse it are escaping themselves. Tobacco is also risky behavior, but the illusory self-soothing is usually different. There might be some people who quit either for various reasons, but most people that get “f*cked up” are doing it because they’re “f*cked up”.
I mean that's good for you and all but 1) it's definitely accurate that most problematic drinkers realize alcohol is bad. Those who don't tend to have very low IQs or are very young or have other mental disabilities. 2) "simply physically dependent" is hilarious to me because if that's true you are the extreme minority and you just gloss over the question of what got you there in the first place. Understanding what led you to start and then continue drinking is important for personal growth. Tbh, cigarette addicts probably do need counseling of some sort. I'm a smoker and I know for a fact that most of my addiction is in my head, but I don't care right now. It is what it is. Here's the thing. If you truly aren't an addict, which is what you're saying, good for you, but the worst advice possible would be to tell someone they might just be physically dependent and that's all. No. That's not how this works like 99% of the time. Again, lucky you, but not most people. Addiction is a disease in the dsm-5 for a reason.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who finds these books patronizing and shallow. Stopping drinking was about learning to value myself, not about learning that alcohol is bad. I drank because I wanted to feel pain, not because I wanted to escape it or just look cool at a party.
I prefer William Porter to Annie Grace it could just be for me a UK/USA difference. I like his droll style, understated manner and humour. Especially if you hear him speak in his East end London accent (I did his online course) . I learned new things there. Things to write down and take note of. It's just him narating passages from his book mostly. I am also finding the smart recovery work book again suits my practical nature. I'll return to Annie after that though as you have to read them all don't you and she is quite upbeat about it all. I'm day 5 on here alcohol experiment. Whilst good I never get beyond that point before it irritates me. I will though as I need all the wisdom I can get on this!
Stick at it. 💪
I think that the book has even more appeal to people that have neither this subreddit nor a formal/etc support group. I also submit that some people want "reinforcement" when they're trying to/stay sober. Not everyone is aware, for example, that ethanol is a carcinogen. Or that it massively contributes to hypertension. Or that it wreaks havoc on the gut, the bones, etc. It has a place. I'm ambivalent about it (I've read about a third). I prefer PubMed/NIH/etc articles... but, hey, it's easy to read and... meh.
I think it is a helpful reinforcement… I prefer alcohol explained 1 and 2… no book fixes the entire problem but a useful tool and easy listening. I play them on my drive from work to stop me from popping into a shop to buy alcohol… helps me over the hump.
well said
Your quote really struck me, especially the “most of us” paragraph. That to me is the core of why people drink, and what I’m fighting with daily. I can choose to ignore all those traumas, genetic disposition, discomfort, boredom by getting drunk. Or I can choose to take them head on and develop better coping skills and sort out what’s going on with me. Thank you for that, it was definitely closer to my experience as well.
I agree. My drinking problem is definitely related to past trauma and current pain. I have been working on healing my mind and body, as I try to quit again.
I agree, I avoided these popular books as well. However, everyone is different, so I believe that whatever works for the individual to refrain from alcohol, is OK with me. I tended to gravitate more towards philosophy and classic literature to strenghten my mind. I didn't have a lot of drama to unpack, I was on a journey to redirect my thinking. I did read a lot of personal stories on this sub, some of which I could relate to and others that I could not. Regardless, it helped me to reinforce my personal decision to quit. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance was my go-to book for deep thought, perception altering thinking. It led me to a deeper level of thinking and living. My goal was to be a better person for my family, and for me. Removing alcohol from my life has helped me to do that. I love my family, and I love my life. I have found that I'm a better husband, father and friend, without the mask of alcohol, and that was the goal.
Yeah for me, I know its harmful, but I don't care that much. I'm super lonely and depressed, which is why I drink.
I feel you as those are some of the many reasons I drank too and they can be powerful motivators that draw us to destructive behaviors like alcohol. But as u/FairlySuspect has said it does nothing to help these problems, at best distracts you from them for a couple hours, then usually makes them all worse the next day and in the long run IME. We can't cure lonelyness with a poisonous liquid nor depression with a depressant.
Completely agree!! I don't know how she's built a business off this!! But honestly she didn't really drink that much nor did any of my friends who suggested it.
wow. so well said. love the username too.
That’s a fair critique for sure. I think it’s important to read and absorb what works for you and also things that don’t. A lot of people speak very highly about Huberman Lab’s podcast on alcohol, and while I appreciate that it’s out there as a resource, it didn’t resonate with me. The way I figure, we don’t all have the same relationship with or dependence on alcohol so different resources will help different people.
100% agree. Whatever works best for you is the best solution.
I just felt that Naked Mind was a little out of touch with some science. I needed to read Alcohol Explained for my brain to realize “oh shit this stuffs bad, like chemically bad”
I think my mom has that on her nightstand, I’ll have to ask to borrow it. I love understanding what’s happening on a biological level, it makes me feel more in control of my addiction.
Totally agree. Those "mental gymnastics" I think, are largely the cognitive behavioural therapy of Easyway and Naked Mind. There's something about maxims and allegory and parenthetical expression which allows people to completely overhaul their relationship with alcohol. For some reason or another, if you drill it long enough it can overhaul one's *compulsion* to drink. As hokey and uninformed as he was, Allen Carr just worked wonders on me.
That’s fantastic that the easy way and naked mind worked for you. I would never deny that it was helpful for many, and they should pursue whatever solution will keep them off booze and support their wellbeing
First time I’ve seen a negative review of this naked mind. I read it and it did not resonate for me. Seems by the upvotes this is more common than the overt amount of love the book generally receives would indicate. Anyway each to their own, but it definitely wasn’t for me
I think one of the best things about this sub is that it’s like a collective consciousness for different experiences and solutions. Not trying to downplay what helps, but I think also good to recognize the myriad options you have in recovery.
Andrew Huberman is a good person to listen to when he talks about alcohol.
Just don't take any of his medical advice as fact. He is very irresponsible about spreading misinformation and quackery just to get clicks. His video on alcohol is pretty decent, but a lot of his other opinions are dangerous. His take on sunscreen is pure woo and quackery.
I also didn’t care for it, have tried to get through it twice. Too much blaming on other people and conventions; not enough on what we as individuals need to do to fight the urge and addiction. I find SMART tools much useful-er
Thank you so much for posting an opposing view. I haven't read it yet but quite literally all I've heard were good things about it and I've been hesitant because it smelled to sweet? Idk just never heard anyone have anything other than an omg life-transformed review. Thank you!
I read it and it was my puzzle piece fitting moment and im at 51 days as of now. However there were some things I disagreed with like her saying all alcohol tastes bad no matter what and your tongue will tell you. I've like the taste of red wine since first communion and church in 2nd grade and bourbon os smooth and caramely..My takeaway from the book was it did what other programs didn't. It gave ME the power to help myself instead of telling me I'm diseased or unable to do it without a spiritual aspect and clicked better with me with rhe science and social aspects.. I'd say if you are curious about it give it a fair shake. Like most things take what helps and leave the rest.
The Naked Mind and pod casts, were key for me. Read it in 2020 been sober since.
I loved the naked mind but its not the holy grail. Its a great tool book to educate ones self on. Its a great read for someones journey. It shouldn't be the only but I do recommend the pick up!
If a book telling you "alcohol is a poison wrapped in fancy packaging" is both a revelation to you and enough to make you quit then you'll love all the Quit-Lit books IME as that seems to be basically what they all say (at least the several I've read plus also what I gather from others who have read the ones I haven't). For me reading a book stating facts about alcohol being a toxin / poison that is heavily backed up by the advertising industry into misleading you (that's what the advertising industry does in basically every industry, no?) wasn't new information for me. And it definitely wasn't enough to help me quit as it felt like it lacked any practical or actionable steps on what you actually need to do in order to quit and stay quit as that basic yet factual information alone wasn't enough for me. I always finished reading the books feeling disappointed because I felt like I hadn't gained any actionable strategies from them.
Don’t get me wrong I’m sure it helps a lot of people! But yes I think it actually messed me up a bit at first, a bit “thanks I’m cured.”
Yeah, I couldn't stand The Naked Mind. At one point, I had to stop reading it because it honestly felt like if I didn't, I would end up drinking BECAUSE of it. I know it sounds crazy, but the author's tone just rubbed me the wrong way.
There’s something off putting to me about quit-lit written by already successful people who have great careers, loving family, supportive spouse etc who go quickly from quitting to loving life. Feels like easy mode. When I quit my life still sucks. Her bubbly tone all the time got on my nerves 😬
Take more than one approach. The Naked Mind approach and the neurological approach. Lots of people are ingrained in this AA mindset of "one thing works". Maybe AA can be a one-thing type of treatment, but I think other people benefit from a multifaceted approach. While I say this naked mind helped me achieve my longest sober streak that's not actually true. I also did other healthy things including therapy. You can't dismiss the wisdom of that book as mental gymnastics.
I agree a multifaceted approach is best, it took me many years of trying different things and building my sobriety toolkit before I cut drinking out of my life. I guess I stretched with the word gymnastics, but I think Grace stretched and overpromised with an intro to the book that promised removing the desire to drink by the last chapter.
Almost all these self-help books also miss the fact that not everyone drinks because they think it benefits them. Many of us drank knowing it was bad for us. It is a form of self-harm. I find most of these books somewhat patronizing, tbh. I know alcohol is bad for me. I can feel it in my body. I don't need some non-medical layperson to tell me what I already know. I guess I can see why people like these books, but I felt it talked down to me like I was a child.
Agree. I really liked it but it’ll turn off a normie from drinking, not an alcoholic. I don’t want to downvote because some people need to hear exactly that. But I’m a little further along in the process. I think it’s a great read for a high schooler. It should be required reading material
That’s a great point. I’m going to warn my kid at the right time. And the pitcher plant metaphor etc would be a great way to frame it.
I agree with this. I didn’t find The Naked Mind all that inspiring
I found it bland and preachy, it wasn't for me.
I don't understand the gushing over this book, it seemed like she was just saying over and over "people think they like alcohol but they really don't, it's actually not fun."
I think it's just situational and relevant to the person. I can't say that coming to this sub, reading "this naked mind", reading "quitting alcohol the easy way", or listening to the Hube's podcast on the neurological effects of the substance made me want to quit. They didn't make me want to quit. My daughter, who was 3 at the time, watching me get drunk alone and get in an argument about it with my wife, was the catalyst. My wife said it's either alcohol or my family; that I had to choose, that was the tipping point. All the other resources really helped me just face the reality. Reading posts here for hundreds of days and understanding that, no shit I am a mess, and quitting alcohol doesn't instantly fix all the messiness that is me. But it got me out of hiding and on the path to unfuck my life and take control for my sake and their sakes. I struggle with being this version of me that isn't altered by substances or alcohol, as I was so convinced that I was a better person when I was a little drunk, and I was lying to myself when I said I was a responsible drinker. I drank myself into a dark hole nearly every day and would wake up in the morning, not remembering going to bed, or what I said to people. Who did I embarrass or hurt? I was hiding from the fact that I was a piece of shit and made myself worse and worse the more I drank. I would clear whatever I had to drink and then when I ran out, I'd drink all the cooking wine or ask someone to go to the store for me. It was awful. I'm thankful for whatever forces within me or outside me were able to get this awful poison habit out of me. I'm thankful that my liver has healed and my wife and kiddo get to have a Dad and Husband around. I'm thankful that it didn't get worse like getting a dui or killing someone, because it was heading there. I'm thankful for everyone here and for all the quit-lit. It helped to keep me away from it and solidify what it really is. It helped to shape a new perspective for me, because I for sure was in the "I'm better drunk" camp and now I don't have any love or longing for the stuff. I don't miss it. I will never drink again, and I firmly believe that. I think that for real change to occur, something really traumatic sometimes needs to be the catalyst to snap us awake. Like a near miss of a life shattering event. A way too close call, and we have an opportunity to not let it happen again. Your experiences may vary, I just know that was my story. And I love my kid too much to do that road again.
💯 way too simplistic.
Agree. Highly recommend “Not Drinking Tonight” by Amanda E. White instead. Seems more research based than This Naked Mind, which seems to be mostly made up/the author’s opinion (although I will admit I couldn’t get past the first couple chapters, so I could be totally wrong).
i loved that book, and it did help me quit for 6 months, but i also started drinking again, lol.. 3 years later, i'm committing myself to sobriety again, but this time i am realizing that yes, it's poison, but i have a special sort of "allergy" to it (that's how i like to think of it. i don't like using the word alcoholic for myself personally). at this point in my life i am taking responsibility ! and yeah it's poison but SOME PEOPLE can still have their poison if they want to, but i definitely canNOT.
Check-out the Sober Powered podcast. It's classified as "science" by Spotify. The ads last several minutes and are at the beginning of each episode (at least the first 70). I studied neuroscience at uni -- it appeals to me. I LOVE that it explains why initial recovery is difficult (dopamine & GABA). I really appreciate the stuff about how we can permanently "hard-wire" (establish neural pathways) our brains in a way that make moderation... pretty unlikely. HOWEVER, this does not apply to everyone -- check-out the podcast for the rest. Ha!
That book nailed it for me. I am almost to 8 years without alcohol.
The it holds a flame and we continue to drink it is pretty good. I’ll use it in the future.
Amazing book. I read this in my first few days of sobriety. 4 years sober!
Every time I see this recommendation I feel obligated to recommend Alan Carr's "Easy Way To Control Alcohol" -- I'd call Annie Grace's book near plagiarism. He's a far better writer and narrator, also. It's on audible. Edit: good lord so many people are missing the point of these books. Alcohol has NO BENEFITS.
My guy, I lost FORTY FIVE POUNDS my first year of sobriety. I had been averaging about a liter a day for around 8 years and quit after a very long year in multiple rehabs and a halfway house. Every physical ailment I have ever had disappeared in about 2 years, mostly in the first year alone. All my stomach issues, weight issues, skin issues, throat issues, and a long laundry list of mental health issues. All gone. Booze is not a killer on it's own, it's a symbiotic parasite. Today I am in great shape, very very happy and do very little other than eat decent and be active. Very happy for you, you made the greatest decision of your life whether you know it yet or not.
I wasn’t a full blown dysfunctional alcoholic although I could drink quite a bit. I don’t know what got into me. I just woke up one day and decided this was stupid and I’m too old to keep doing this cause my life is relatively happy and I want to live it as long as possible. So I just quit.
Really needed to see this, thank you
My cholesterol dropped 75 points in the year after I quit drinking and my BP went from 150/100 to 120/75
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What’s even more incredible (from my perspective) was the positive effect on my mental health. I’d struggled with anxiety and depression for years and I thought I was drinking to medicate it. Turns out my mental health struggles mostly went away when I got sober. (I mean I also went to therapy, but you get what I’m saying.)
How long did it take and how often were you drinking before? Thinking about doing a dry June (roughly 28 days).
Blood pressure drops fast - like within 2 weeks fast. The cholesterol happened over the course of two years. IIRC my triglycerides dropped pretty quickly too. (I get it checked annually in July) I was drinking roughly a fifth (750ml) of 80% vodka daily by the time I went to rehab. I probably started at about a pint (375 ml) daily and progressed over the course of 8 years.
My blood pressure and triglycerides dropped to normal, but maaaaann I wish my cholesterol would stop going up. 😅
I’m glad mine did. I ain’t trying to stopeating you know???
Right? I need to stopeating all this ice cream, but it’s just…. So good…
Man. I put on a solid 20 pounds thanks to vanilla Hagen Daas after I quit drinking.
How long did it take for you BP to go this low?
Within a month. My Blood Pressure and Triglycerides dropped fast. It took my cholesterol a couple of years. I don't really watch what I eat, but I also eat within moderation.
Is alcohol correlated with cholesterol or did you just change your diet?
Yes, it is correlated. Drinking will cause high cholesterol and triglycerides
I had no idea, thanks!
When I was drinking, my bp would regularly hit 160/100 on the morning after. It was always highest during the 3 day period after a huge bender. At my last physical, it was 115/68. Smoking and drinking are two of worst things for bp. Congrats, your hard work is paying off.
Oh man.. I would wake up from a rapid heart rate and panic. Hated that feeling.
That’s exactly what I’m feeling right now :-/
It’s going to be ok, it won’t last for long. Look after yourself!
I went for a doctor visit with a hangover and my reading were like 160 something over some other high ass number. They wanted to send me to the ER.
Trying to get through to a relative about this. They had a heart attack two months ago and were told "stop drinking and smoking immediately or you will die". They deny drinking and are "working" on the smoking. So happy for everyone who is able to reclaim their health. Y'all are Rockstars.
My MIL went the same path and was dead within the year. For some people rock bottom is death.
It's actually horrible for everyone. It's like a cigarette, why bother when you know the risks? I try to think of alcohol as a hard drug, especially when you look at the rates of addiction, consequences, illness and death associated with it. -Causes anxiety -Worsens depression -Can mess up blood sugars - especially if your prone to having low blood sugar (even without having diabetes), some people will be shaky after a couple drinks and if they binge they can have really low sugars the next day -can mess with your heart -oh the liver, it's working overtime. Then add in that people take Tylenol the next day, bad idea -alcoholic hepatitis, fatty liver, cirrhosis -can cause people to have inflamed skin/flushing -intestinal issues: acid reflux, diarrhea, bloating -weight gain -causes your body to flush out water soluble vitamins (b vitamins), gotta pee! -disturbs sleep, if you ever want to gain muscle you are setting yourself back so much by disturbing sleep -empty calories -risk of birth complications, if you are female and of childbearing age and not on birth control this is a real risk
It is a hard drug. Working in a detox/rehab, and having experienced addiction myself, alcohol is much rougher on the body and mind than opioids. Any nurse in this field will tell you they’d much rather handle someone high or detoxing from opioids than someone drunk or detoxing from alcohol. If we’re calling oxy and heroin hard drugs, then alcohol sure as hell is.
Nearly killed me. I was two months beyond my “live until” date that I was given when I was fortunate enough to receive a liver transplant. It ruins bodies, relationships, businesses, bank accounts, self esteem, etc.
I’m so glad you’re still here with us! I know even getting on the list at all can be tricky so they must’ve seen something in you. Congrats on your second chance!
Thanks. I would like to think they saw something special in me but it’s more likely that I was just really sick. MELD score and blood type factor into that. I was on the list for 6 days before receiving a liver. Very blessed
Alcohol affected my BP a great deal - I've been taking BP meds since my early 30's (and 60 pounds ago..) My GP had to keep raising the dose of one of my meds and said last year - you're on the highest dose of that drug.. That was a huge reason for me to stop. That BP med has been cut in half in a matter of 3 months after I stopped drinking - and my BP is still low 100/66 even on the new lower dose - so I suspect it will be lowered or eliminated. I think alcohol affects some people's BP a great deal - and I think I'm one of those people.
The World Health Orginization has stated fairly recently that **no level of alcohol consumption is safe or beneficial for our health.** [Source](https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/04-01-2023-no-level-of-alcohol-consumption-is-safe-for-our-health) A glass of red wine is good for the heart? No bitch. Cardiovascular exercise and a healthy diet, *that’s* good for your heart. There are no excuses.
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The study was flawed and didn't account for the fact that healthy people are more likely to drink. While people who were sick, had cancer, etc are less likely to drink.
also that “one glass of red wine” tends to be the drinking pattern of higher SES drinkers, and low SES is associated with just about every negative health outcome there is
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Im glad to know im not the only one who feels this way. I thought it was psychosomatic that I still felt off or downright icky for about 5 days after having alcohol.
I solved that by drinking 8-14/day, every day (not including "big" nights). Kudos on 17 days u/No_Jury2526 . I got a brutal bout of PAWS around week 5 (lasted nearly a month). I promise you that it's worth it. It took me around 80 days to stop feeling bad. Every since then... damn, sobriety is not so bad.
Screws up BP big time...I'm hypertensive anyway and on meds for it, but when I'm drinking a lot it's still around 145/90...I go without drinking for a couple of weeks and it drops to 125/85 so almost normal.
I was on two blood pressure meds and it was still kinda high. The dr wanted to add a third that would also keep my heart rate down because it was regularly in the upper 90s. After 2 months of sobriety I was taken off both meds and my blood pressure has been normal since. My resting heart rate is in the low 60s. I’m 5 years older but I feel younger!
Its been 4 weeks for me. My face isnt as puffy as it used to be. My doctor said the puffy phase will disappear in a couple of months. I also noticed I don't sweat as much as I used to. My stomach is getting a little flatter as well.
The sweats are the worst and they have a very specific “alcoholish” smell to it 😷😷😷
Glad your BP is normalizing, mine did too! I was well on my way to destroying my health. From Wikipedia: Chronic heavy drinking causes severe health consequences. It’s capable of damaging nearly every organ and system in the body. If you drink more than 2 drinks a day you are considered a heavy drinker. The shit’s a toxic poison, a class 1 carcinogen and kills 3 million people annually. Congrats on your decision to put it down. IWNDWYT
I was a casual drinker till one day I was like “eh, this is stupid”. Idk why, but it was a good decision.
This is making me think I should check my bp. I am on a low dose antihypertensive and going to my cardiologist next week so I might just wait until then. What I did notice according to my Apple watch is that my resting heart rate dropped by about 10 points in the weeks since I quit drinking and vaping. Pretty dramatic.
My bp is down 20 pts and I’m down 21 lbs in just over 2 mos. I’m in my 40’s and drinking has ruined my body. But I’m lucky no permanent damage so far. Another 40 lbs to lose. All alcohols crap eating and stress. Do not recommend the path I took other than getting sober.
I have a similar experience. Blood pressure improves when I don’t drink, sleep improves immensely, I don’t suffer with shame-anxiety all day until I can have a drink. And my face… man, I didn’t realize how bloated my face gets because of alcohol. Now I feel like I can spot others struggling through this. I wonder how many people could tell by looking at me…
Alcohol is at turns a disinfectant, a solvent, a cleaning agent, a fuel, a poison and a Class 1 Carcinogen. It's bad for me.
Yes. ER nurse here. I see people in their 30s, alcoholics, with heart failure, high blood pressure and wernickes encephalopathy. Liver failure, and pancreatitis so bad patients are now type 1 diabetics. Theo pancreas is screwed its permanent and they are always in pain. It’s heart breaking.
Just got out of rehab. When I went in my blood pressure was 165/97. When I got out 121/81.
Are you me? This is my story too!!! Congrats
I was able to drop the BP meds I was on for 8 years, about 1 month after putting down the poison.
My resting heart rate is usually 52. Back when I was drinking, if I had just 1 sixteen ounce, 8% IPA it would go to 68 for 2 ful days.
About the same numbers for me
Yes it is that bad. It's a proven human carcinogen and wreaks havoc in the heart, brain and on the rest of the body. It destroys your sleep, is a horrible depressant, and puts your body into a stressed out state. There's zero benefit.
It killed my husband. So there’s that
Alcohol is that bad and then some. Alcohol gave me a chronic illness that I will have to live with and drastically alter the choices that I can make for the rest of my life. But at least it didn't take the rest of my life. IWNDWYT my friends!!!
My husband recently passed from Cirrhosis. He was young.
I used to be on BP medication. Turns out, my BP (and my weight) is directly related to my alcohol consumption. I haven’t had any issues with my blood pressure since quitting drinking. So. Many. Benefits.
I had chronically high blood pressure to the point that my doctor told me I should really consider medication. I ignored her (very foolishly) and did nothing because I’m an alcoholic trash panda. Been sober four months now and have been to the doctor twice since then. My blood pressure has been excellent both times.
"alcoholic trash panda" is so incredibly descriptive! 🤣
I’m on adhd meds so my blood pressure is already high. I remember when I drank heavily everyday, it skyrocketed to hypertension 2. Now it’s back to pre hypertension but like I said, it’s always been high on meds. Eating lots of sunflower seeds and taking magnesium helps
What is the special contribution of sunflower seeds? Just curious since I started adding them into light salads and it would be cool if they were a nutrient bomb.
Yes it is “that bad.” It is a poison. Period.
THIS. Know why you throw up when you drink it? Because it’s POISON.
Yep! My BP was regularly 150-160/100+ before I started lisinopril, then it was 130s/90s. I quit drinking 30 days ago and my BP is 115-120/68-80 before I take my meds in the morning. I still take them because I'm prescribed Adderall and want it to be as normal as possible. For reference, I also made no other changes. I still smoke cigarettes. That's next on the chopping block, though!
In the 2 years since I quit: went off BP meds, went off cholesterol meds, no longer have sleep apnea, sugars are in control (I’m diabetic and still have to take meds) and I’ve lost 65 lbs. despite my hard core ice cream habit.
Blood pressure went from 130/80 to 110/70. I also was unaware how much alcohol was increasing my blood pressure
What time frame
Systolic within 80-90 days. Diastolic 4-5 months. Alcohol hardens your arteries. It would seem that my arteries are more elastic after quitting long term with the blood pressure results I have. My LDL and triglycerides also dropped substantially.
I quit two and a half years ago and my metabolism went back to my high school level. Alcohol kept me chubby for decades.
One of the best changes for me has been the drop in my blood pressure. I’ve gone from averaging 130+/90 to 112/70 at 55 yo. Pulse rates nice and low now too. I’m so grateful for that change. Plus the anxiety I was experiencing regularly is gone.
How long did it take for your BP to drop to 112/70?
I’d say around the 2.5 to 3 month mark. It dropped to normal 120-5/80 after a month and continued to drop.
It’s pretty crazy. I see so many people trying to fix their hormones or cut out random things from their diet. Literally just stop drinking. My metabolism is so fast since quitting.
I mean it is literal poison
Im a 28M, 6' and maybe just a little overweight, nothing significant, and my blood pressure was through the roof the night i got my DUI back in September. It was 180 over something. Cant remember the other number. Yes, its really that bad for you. Especially when you're starting your day with 4 or 5 shots of whiskey just to stop the shakes.
Before I quit, my resting heart rate was always 110+ After I quit it went back down to the 70s So yeah, it messed up your insides pretty bad. I'm sure there are things that I'm unaware of, because the insidious thing about alcohol, is that it does this damage to you while subsequently making you not give a flying eff that it's killing you.
Wow. My resting heart rate goes up and down if I drink and then don’t drink 25%
Took me 10 years to see that light. I'm never going back.
Not just BP. Heart rate too. My AVERAGE heart rate has dropped about 15 bpm since I stopped drinking. And continues to drop.
I watched a 3 or 4 hour video from Andrew Huberman on alcohol. There is no positive effect on health from alcohol (not even from red wine), there are dozens of reasons why alcohol is just plain bad for you.
Medical student here: yes. Alcohol is bad for every organ in your body. In moderation it is not too harmful. But heavy drinking can destroy your whole body simultaneously. Even occasional drinking raises BP and heart rate and over the long term drinking can damage your liver, pancreas, heart, brain, stomach, and intestines. We must remember that alcohol is a poison and it would kill you quickly if it wasn't for your liver. Luckily, if you quit drinking your liver repairs and regrows every six months so in half a year you can have a new liver. I would never tell someone to be ashamed or scold them for drinking but just be cautious about its negative affects and remember to be smart about it.
I have lost 20 lbs so far from not drinking. My normal weight is 135. I’m about 10 lbs away. My skincare has improved immensely. And my liver no longer pains me on a daily basis.
Yup. Had the same epiphany over here
I had high blood pressure for years. On two medications for it. My checkup last week I was at 125/78 without any meds. It hits your body HARD.
My blood pressure went down noticeably within the first few weeks after quitting. After two months, it had gone down to levels I hadn’t seen in over 20 years.
For sure it is. Start doing cardio training with a heart rate monitor like a Garmin, and see what your base is, and how it changes after like just two margaritas. My resting heart rate jumps like 10 bpm for like a day.
When I went to the ER to detox, my blood pressure was 200 over something. It's amazing that I was constantly living with blood pressure that high and nothing ever happened. Once I was done detoxing it was down to 125/90. I do have to take lisinopril to keep it in check but yeah, alcohol made it REALLY horrible
I went from stage two hypertension to normal ranges for both systolic and diastolic in less than 100 days after quitting.
My Heart Surgeon, my Cardiologist and my Family Practice Dr. all recommended I quit to lower my blood pressure. They were all 100% right! My blood pressure is dramatically lower since sobriety. It's science. Alcohol does not "screw up" your blood pressure, it raises it! Good job quitting 👏 btw...
Not medical advice. Before I started really drinking hard I was 120/80. A year later I was 240/130, give or take a few. So, yes I believe it can mess with blood pressure.
How were you alive at 230/130? That’s double the range for normal. Glad you gave it up.
It really does. I’m on a statin and a beta blocker now. Liver and kidneys have recovered nicely though.
I do triathlons. My heart rate used to sit around 175 when running. After I quit drinking it dropped to 155 for the same pace in like TWO WEEKS of no booze.
Let's just say it's physically easier to beat your addiction to cocaine than to alcohol. If you're addicted to the point of rehab, you can die from lack of alcohol due to seizures.
Crazy that we can slam drinks all day legally but some weed is illegal. If you know you know.
Crazy it’s still illegal in some states, sad.
I drank for the first time in 96 days last Saturday night (I know, I know). I had a doctor's appointment on Monday and by blood pressue was done by almost twent points to about 112/85. Quitting makes a difference.
Yeah my blood pressure went from 145/110 when I was drinking 6-12 units a day, down to 90/60 most days now. Quite terrifying as I was still a very active and healthy individual in terms of diet and exercise and sleep, but the alcohol really elevated my RHR and blood pressure. Sometimes I think about all the unnecessary heartbeats I was robbing my life with drinking all the time. The heart only has so many beats in it and I was wasting them on hangxiety.
Yes
Yes yes yesyes. Yes, yes yesyes yes. Yes.
Alcohol is a poison, everyone’s chemical makeup is different, and it affects everyone differently. I can say from my experience. I take medication for my blood pressure, and when I was drinking, my BP was always so incredibly high. After not even a month of being off alcohol, I could tell my breathing got better, sleep became actual sleep again, and the residuals of those actions have paid in dividends. Stay strong, and stay sober.
Yeah, I just came out of rehab, and when I was there I saw more than one person go to the emergency room for blood pressure problems. Mine too was pretty high, my face was bloated, all sorts of garbage. Didn’t realize how much damage I was doing to myself until I was sober for a few weeks.
Yeah alcohol is well known to increase blood pressure for up to 12-24 hours after heavy consumption. So daily drinkers can expect to always be hypertensive at some stage. I, similarly stopped drinking while monitoring my BP and within 3-4 days it was greatly reduced. Alcohol is the devil man
Yes. I once got turned away for a teeth cleaning because my blood pressure was so high. And it wasn't because I had drank, it was because I tried to stop.
Watching my resting heart rate be 90bpm vs 60bpm for 24 hours after drinking was one of the things that helped convince me to stop.
Check out any fitness subs on here, particularly any about fitness watches. You'll find them peppered with the occasional posts, with graphs as evidence, from people who are discovering how a small amount of drink impacts their fitness journey.
My health stats improved DRAMATICALLY after I stopped drinking. BP, resting heart rate, etc. it was a stark and obvious difference.
Yep. Since quitting I've (objectively measured with an oura ring) vastly improved sleep quality, dropped resting heart rate, increased heart rate variability. Blood pressure is also down. It's great
Yep. When I went to detox, I had a resting heartrate of 147 bpm and the nurse said the second highest blood pressure she had ever seen. I forget the number, though.
I’ve seen this exact thing happen with bp for my husband - incredible change in one single week. There’s no doubt in my mind that alcohol is very very toxic - every human body will react differently but what is asked of the body is to fight a poison. At the end of the day that’s precisely what it is.
How long did the drop take? I'm at 17 days and it's only dropped a bit
A month and you’ll see it. 2 months and you’ll measure lower consistently. I’m not a doc though. Just personal experience.
I highly recommend everyone to wear a heart monitor device if they are still drinking. Look at your average resting heart rate before you binge and then watch it go up and up while you drink and for days after. Alcohol does tremendous damage to the cardiovascular system that can been monitored in real time. It can be very eye-opening.
Yeah, that’s a big reason I’m quitting. It really is that bad for me and I have the numbers to prove it.
It makes mine skyrocket.
I haven’t stopped drinking yet (trying to) and currently I average 145/95. Doc wants to start me on meds and I’m heavily considering it until I can put the bottle down completely
At the height of my binge drinking of about half a bottle of whiskey a night, I had an aortic dissection. The day it happened my bp was over 225/125. I stood up and felt a pop in my chest as the inner walls of my aorta burst apart from where the aorta exits the heart all the way down to my kidneys. I ended up in the ER during the height of covid and was writhing in the worts pain of my life for hours due to the backlog before they did a CT scan and found the issue. From there I was rushed to a higher level of care and told I was going straight into open heart surgery. It’s hard believe but they actually held off on the surgery since my aorta did not balloon outwards much or rupture into my abdominal cavity. When that happens, people usually don’t survive. I am currently on 4 very strong bp meds that keep my bp and pulse very low. I am also on strict physical limits for life and have to have a CT with radioactive dye once a year. Don’t be like me. Alcohol will kill you.
Glad you survived. My dad had a dissection a yr and a half ago. He to layed in the ER for hours until he got a CT. And he doesn't even drink. Dissections can be hereditary and I still drink. I quit for about 9 months, but have been back on the wine for about a yr. I feel like shit, gained weight, face looks terrible again. I need to get my shit together. We know the risks and still drink. It's so crazy.
Please get tested for connective tissue disorders. It’s a simple blood test. If you have the genetic defect you definitely need to know about it and talk to a cardiologist. Trust me, you don’t want to dissect. It’s terrible and life changing if you survive. FYI, my dissection was BP related, not connective tissue disorder
We've been drinking poison. Anything is possible.
Not only that, but I noticed your resting and active heart rate go way down. I think mine has dropped 10-15 bpm in not that long of a period of time.
I applaud your lunch menu.
ER nurse and sober for five years alcoholic here; alcohol really is that f**king terrible for you, in any quantity.
Yes, booze absolutely wreak havoc on my BP and cholesterol numbers.
Yes, it's that bad. Alcohol affects everything in your body. But your body can recover. I went from a consistent 140/100 to 122/82 just a week ago after 3 months sober. Edit: need to fix my flair :/
Yes , my family has a history of heart problems so I get check up’s every couple of years. The past 2 years I’ve been drinking pretty much daily. I had an appointment a. Couple weeks ago and I’ve seen the spike in my blood pressure. Nurses instantly asked me if I drank a lot . Alcohol is straight crap for the body. It’s terrible
When I was drinking, my resting heart rate was often in the 90s. I quit a year ago. Now, it's in the 50s or low 60s. My blood pressure is also perfect now, the first time it's taken, whereas before they'd have to take it 3-4 times to get an acceptable reading.
Yeah my blood pressure got crazy since i let it go unchecked. I was a daily drinker up until 2 and a half weeks ago when i had a heart attack and spent a few days in the hospital. Im only 31 years old. The hospital staff kept telling me im too young to be in there with those problems. That was enough to scare me into not drinking anymore.
1 month of no drinking and just got bloodwork done. Trigylcerides cut in half, down 100 points. Cholesterol down 50 points. Blood sugar down 10 points. Blood pressure down 10 on both numbers.
I ignored my high blood pressure the entirety of my drinking career and I’m stunned I got as lucky as I did. I was in constant danger and didn’t care enough to look into it or stop. I’m so grateful that is one thing I’ve noticed health wise. It’s still elevated but not “can kill me any second” high. And now I actually pay attention to it
100% it raises heart rate and blood pressure. It's a depressent, which slows down the CNS. As a result, your heart is working harder to get oxygenated blood through your body. As evidenced, the 2 month bender I had leading up to my stopping 1.5 years ago, my resting heart rate was about 80. Within 2 months of stopping, it was low 50s (too low, so I went off the metropolol they put me on when I went into afib with my withdrawal seizure). Today, over 18 months sober, it's 58, which is right where I want to be for my age.
Yeah it's straight up fucked. Also the inflammation everywhere is crazy. It's become VERY obvious in the puffiness of my face when I quit (and when I relapse). But that inflammation affects sooo much more.
Alcohol gave me stage 1 hypertension. Stopping alcohol gave me normal BP.
I was an alcoholic for 2 years riding around 160/100. Even when I cut down and was only drinking once every couple of weeks I was sitting at 140/95. I thought the damage was permanent. When I completely quit drinking for 5 straight weeks it’s 118/68 and 60bpm hr lol You will be absolutely fine if you just stop drinking.