# Recovering Alcoholic

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recovering-alcoholic/177364>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [May 25, 2003, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recovering-alcoholic/177364 "2003-05-25T05:03:35Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 8\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![perkitl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9de053/32.png) [@perkitl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/perkitl)\
**Post date:** [May 25, 2003, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recovering-alcoholic/177364/1 "2003-05-25T05:03:35Z")

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I know one of the ways alcoholism affects the human body is by flattening the butt. Do you ever get a nice butt back again after you stop using alcohol? If so, how long does it take?

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**Author:** ![bernse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@bernse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bernse)\
**Post date:** [May 25, 2003, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recovering-alcoholic/177364/2 "2003-05-25T05:07:42Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> I know one of the ways alcoholism affects the human body is by flattening the butt.

Where do you _know_ this from?

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**Author:** ![perkitl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9de053/32.png) [@perkitl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/perkitl)\
**Post date:** [May 25, 2003, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recovering-alcoholic/177364/3 "2003-05-25T05:09:42Z")

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Because I read this in The Straight Dope a few years ago.

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**Author:** ![TheLadyLion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d78d45/32.png) [@TheLadyLion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLadyLion)\
**Post date:** [May 25, 2003, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recovering-alcoholic/177364/4 "2003-05-25T05:12:22Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by perkitl \*  
> \*\*I know one of the ways alcoholism affects the human body is by flattening the butt. Do you ever get a nice butt back again after you stop using alcohol? If so, how long does it take? \*\*

WHAT?!?!? Damn, if I had known that 18 years ago, I **NEVER** would have gotten sober!!

Trust me, **perkitl** , as both a recovered alcoholic and a certified substance abuse counselor… your information is erroneous.

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**Author:** ![perkitl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9de053/32.png) [@perkitl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/perkitl)\
**Post date:** [May 25, 2003, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recovering-alcoholic/177364/5 "2003-05-25T05:17:26Z")

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But it really happened to me. I used to have a nice butt, but now after years of alcohol abuse it is flat. Also, Cecil said it caused you lower abdomen to pooch out and mine does this also. Will I ever get my old body back?

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**Author:** ![TheLadyLion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d78d45/32.png) [@TheLadyLion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLadyLion)\
**Post date:** [May 25, 2003, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recovering-alcoholic/177364/6 "2003-05-25T05:26:23Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by perkitl \*  
> \*\*Because I read this in The Straight Dope a few years ago. \*\*

Please do a search and locate that thread. I want to read it. I just tried a search and did not locate anything. Anyone know what **perkitl** is referring to?

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**Author:** ![Desmostylus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@Desmostylus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desmostylus)\
**Post date:** [May 25, 2003, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recovering-alcoholic/177364/7 "2003-05-25T05:26:44Z")

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Here’s the Cecil column in question: [What are the physical consequences of alcoholism?](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_283.html)

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**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\
**Post date:** [May 25, 2003, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recovering-alcoholic/177364/8 "2003-05-25T14:27:24Z")

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Looks like the OP’er misread the original quote from Cecil.

> [@](#):
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> Then we have a number of generalized syndromes usually lumped under the catchall term alcoholic deterioration, including…flabby muscles (including alcoholic’s ass)

There’s your pertinent quote from Unka Cecil. You don’t get a flat butt, but rather a flabby one, due to alcoholic myopathy. This may correct itself with sobriety, or it may not. It will certainly get worse without abstinence.

QtM, MD