Why does my alcohol tolerance seem to be at like zero?

[AO111]

I was always pretty much a light weight but at one point I started to drink more frequently then as my tolerance built more heavily. My drinking problem went on for about 2 1/2 years and it's been almost 2 years since it stopped. I'll have an occasional drink now and again but nothing anywhere near excessive. I've noticed though since I stopped drinking heavy my tolerance is lower than low. I had 1 1/2 glasses of wine tonight and actually felt drunk for a bit.

[perch101]

Reduced alcohol tolerance can be a sign of liver damage... As can feeling queasy after one drink. I have been addicted to both pills and alcohol and now totally abstain from either and and much happier and more at peace for it... U can have that too! Good luck :-)

[nursegirl6572]

I cannot agree with what the others above said more.  You should not be drinking any alcohol for a few reasons....ONE, you're an addict, and have had problems with alcohol in the past.  You can't just undo that...it doesn't go away.  That's just like dangling a carrot in front of a rabbit.  Two, you're on meds which you shouldn't be mixing with alcohol, and THREE, you've been struggling with serious anxiety, to the point where you've barely been able to function.  Alcohol will exacerbate anxiety TERRIBLY.  It's like pouring gas on a fire.  I'm dead serious.  I hardly drink EVER for that exact reason, because my anxiety goes through the roof.  

I don't care if it's one drink a month, this will lead you nowhere good...you already admit to drinking for the feeling it gives you.  You are on a slippery slope my friend, and you are risking undoing a lot of your progress.  You should not be wondering why you cannot handle your alcohol anymore, but rather wonder WHY you are drinking at all in the first place, and why you haven't been more proactive about seeking therapy or meetings or both, as I know a lot of people have given you advice as to the importance of that, both for the addiction and the anxiety issues.

You said this:


"This post was me merely wondering why I seem to have a "bad reaction" to it. It doesn't mean I'm drinking again or going to develop a problem again. It doesn't even make me feel good and that's how people become addicted in the first place. ."

With all due respect, this sentence screams denial and a SERIOUS underestimation of what you're flirting with.  The cold hard facts are...an addict doesn't have the luxury of just having a drink here and there, or a pill now and again.  They CAN, but it often will compromise their sobriety.  If you want to STAY sober, you will recognize that it isn't an option, and can never be again.

Let me show you two very conflicting statements you made, in the hopes you will see the flawed logic you have:

"It doesn't even make me feel good and that's how people become addicted in the first place. ."

and this:

". I very seldom drink anymore and when I do I'll admit I do it for the relaxing effect."

The sentence above describes self medicating, plainly...and is basically saying the exact same thing you said about how people become addicted.  Self medicating can lead to more self medicating, and when you WOULD become intoxicated, you will lose the ability to think rationally, and then if you're tempted by something else, you will not be able to have the right frame of mind to make the right decision for your recovery.

I get it...you were asking a simple question, and that's fine..there could be a million answers as to why your tolerance has changed.  Most likely, it is the mixture of the alcohol and the meds.  But, as you can see, the people here who care and worry are seeing some big red flags...and rightly so.  You can think we're being overly dramatic, and that's fine too...but I sincerely hope you read through all of these posts many times.  People are trying to help you.  There's maybe ONE reason why it may seem okay to drink (you like the taste), and a WHOLE bunch more as to why you shouldn't....EVER.

I'm sincerely very worried about you, we've chatted a lot, and all I've seen is you spinning out of control, and yet you don't ever seem to follow through on the suggestions you are given....and now this...which is alarming to me.  PLEASE realize that you are getting very good advice that WILL help you, but YOU have to do the work, sweetie.

You're in my thoughts, and my prayers.

[AO111]

I think you misunderstand me. I very seldom drink anymore and when I do I'll admit I do it for the relaxing effect. I have the wine because I like the taste of it. The trouble is anytime I start to have a drink I'll get maybe half way through it and I start to not feel well. I get really thirsty, really drowsy and end up with a head ache so I mainly stay away from alcohol. If you've ever had a drinking problem then you might know what it feels like to get wasted, go to bed and wake up still drunk but also hungover. That's what I feel like now drinking a small amount of alcohol and the effects start right away. This post was me merely wondering why I seem to have a "bad reaction" to it. It doesn't mean I'm drinking again or going to develop a problem again. It doesn't even make me feel good and that's how people become addicted in the first place.

[EvolverU]

Hi!   If you were taking Vicodin w/NSAID's and were drinking before that or concurrently, it's possible - depending on your frequency and amounts of usage & genetic factors - that you might have done your liver some damage. Tolerance goes down when this happens and sometimes it only takes a couple of years, especially w/ poly-abuse. I'd have a metabolic panel done just to check on your AST/ALT enzymes to rule this out. The above posters have said the rest better than I can. Wishing you clarity and strength in your battle.

[dominosarah]

You are playing with fire here.  You are on anxiety meds and drinking again.  Not a healthy combo.  Have you given any thought to getting some counseling?   You are also dealing with past issues growing up in an alcoholic home.  We bury alot of emotions and those need to be dealt with.

[overopiates]

Addicts like2replace one habit for another.DONT drink.GO TO MEETINGS sweetie.this is a pointless merry go round

[clean_in_ks]

Your question is why does your tolerance seem to be like at zero for alcohol?  Above you said you drank heavily for 2-1/2 yrs but quit drinking for the last two yrs, right?
Then in another post, I think you said your desire for alcohol went away when you started taking vicodin.  Then you shared that you have been thru w/drawals and were now off the vicodins.

So, guess I'm not understanding why you are returning to drinking alcohol again now?  Do you not consider yourself an alcoholic/addict?

Since you grew up w/an alcoholic father like I did, you already know a lot about alcoholism.  You also may recognize, like I have, that we have HUGE tendancies to become addicted to ANY mind altering drug, which includes alcohol.
I hope you will seek out some help and be able to understand the likelihood of cross addiction going on within yourself.  I pray that eventually you will be at peace not drinking alcohol OR taking pain meds.....it will set you FREE in a way you may not have felt in a very long time.
Wishing you the best on the recovery road~

[VICourageous]

When I used to Drink 8 yrs ago before my drug use..I would go days and days before I had a drink..I would get so drunk so fast off a few drinks..It has alot to do with your health issues and age, weight even diet..If you know what I mean...and also if you are on any meds..I found that I got drunk way quicker from wine then beer too...I would try to stop the drinking now before you get way out of control..The disease of any substances sneaks up on us real quick..Do you go to any AA meetings..Alcohol is very hard and very serious disease..You do not have to go to a DR for the scrip nor do you have to buy it off the streets..My hats off to any body who can kick this addiction...
vickie

[needhelp144]

I think after drinking for so long and being used to drinking so much that now since you've stopped for awhile in your mind your tolerance seems lower than usual when in all reality it's probably average?lol if that makes any sense?