Damages from alcohol

[icy169]

Hi,

I have a question about the damages that alcohol can cause on the body. If you have a risk consumtion of alcohol that have caused for exampel some nerve damages- how much do you have to dring and for how long before you develop nerve damages? And if you have got that- is it possible for the body to recover if you stop drinking alcohol? If so- can you drink again after a sober period or does that mean new damages on the body?

[boogieman]

hi. as far as physical damage, it depends on the individual as well as the amount/frequency consumed. the ability to recover from damage to the nervous system also varies. some may have only consumed enough to temporarily impair things like memory or concentration, while others may develop what is commonly called a "wet brain" or wernicke-korsakoff syndrome which can be an irreversible condition marked by observable damage to the brain structure and psychosis. once a person ceases alcohol intake, some damage may heal. however a chemically dependent individual after a period of sobriety will find that a return to alcohol will quickly manifest symptoms of a more severe nature than before, as if they had never stopped. good luck,   gm

[icy169]

Hi, thanks for your comment. I guess it is as you say very individual and a hard question to answer.

[Jacker]

It varies for everybody.  There's also a big difference between men & women (or so I'm told).  Damage includes nervous system, heart problems, and of course liver issues.  The "wet brain" described by Boogieman is another fun thing to look forward to (not).

It's amazing how much of your body can heal itself with sobriety.  I've seen this in myself and I've heard from other people.  There is a change in your chemistry though, and it keeps most people from ever being able to drink again.

There's an interesting article you can google, on a substance called THIQ.  This is a chemical that builds up in your brain (while drinking) and never goes away.  It effects the way you react to alcohol and is "reactivated" when ever you decide to pick up a drink.  

[icy169]

Interesting.. howewer I wonder if my body has taken damage from drinking about 2 bottles of wine (more or less) per weekend the last 13 years............. I guess it´s not the worst amount of alcohol

[Jacker]

Everyone's body is somewhat damaged after drinking for long periods- my daily drinking lasted 15 years.  The question is, how much of the damage is repariable or manageable?  Your body has amazing abilities for healing itself up to a point.  My symptoms gradually went away over the course of 6 months.