# reformed alcoholic asking a question **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 23, 2009, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reformed-alcoholic-asking-a-question/482555 "2009-01-23T01:00:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dmatsch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3be4f8/32.png) [@dmatsch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dmatsch)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2009, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reformed-alcoholic-asking-a-question/482555/1 "2009-01-23T01:00:18Z")
More than a few years ago after my divorce I started drinking heavily. A 5th of vodka a night was the norm. I found myself getting the shakes and other symptoms of heavy alcohol abuse and then drinking during the day to alleviate the symptoms and drinking more at night, so in the end I gave it up. For the most part. I still occasionally (once per month) go to a happy hour with my cow-orkers and have at most two to three drinks – usually a mixed drink – but never more than a that. When I do this, I find my tolerance is greatly reduced, and I get the shakes much more easily and with less alcohol than previously. And the worse part is that I feel more drunk (meaning I experience the effects of big alcohol use) for **at least 2 days** after I imbibe. The drunk high that I experience two days later is actually more intense than the buzz I get with use. Questions: 1. Did the heavy abuse I did in years past permanently alter my body chemistry? 2. Is that even possible? 3. What the hell happened to me? 4. Why do I feel more “drunk” coming down (two days later still) off the occasional use then when I’m actually experiencing the acute buzz of my use? 5. Do I need help? And what are the details of this help? ---
**Author:** ![WF\_Tomba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d9b06d/32.png) [@WF\_Tomba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WF_Tomba)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2009, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reformed-alcoholic-asking-a-question/482555/2 "2009-01-23T01:06:05Z")
I have two pieces of advice for you: 1. If drinking alcohol gives you disturbing effects, stop drinking alcohol. 2. See a doctor. ---
**Author:** ![dmatsch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3be4f8/32.png) [@dmatsch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dmatsch)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2009, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reformed-alcoholic-asking-a-question/482555/3 "2009-01-23T01:08:02Z")
> [@WF\_Tomba](#): > > I have two pieces of advice for you: > > 1. If drinking alcohol gives you disturbing effects, stop drinking alcohol. > 2. See a doctor. no offense to you, but I have to say: Thanks for the useless advice. You didn’t answer any of my questions. ---
**Author:** ![WF\_Tomba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d9b06d/32.png) [@WF\_Tomba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WF_Tomba)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2009, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reformed-alcoholic-asking-a-question/482555/4 "2009-01-23T01:21:07Z")
I didn’t mean to be snippy. It’s just that you kinda seemed to be asking for medical advice. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2009, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reformed-alcoholic-asking-a-question/482555/5 "2009-01-23T01:23:50Z")
> [@dmatsch](#): > > 1. Do I need help? And what are the details of this help? Yes. See a doctor. ---
**Author:** ![Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2009, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reformed-alcoholic-asking-a-question/482555/6 "2009-01-23T01:28:27Z")
> [@dmatsch](#): > > 1. Did the heavy abuse I did in years past permanently alter my body chemistry? > 2. Is that even possible? > 3. What the hell happened to me? > 4. Why do I feel more “drunk” coming down (two days later still) off the occasional use then when I’m actually experiencing the acute buzz of my use? > 5. Do I need help? And what are the details of this help? 1. Maybe. 2. Yes, in a way — if you damage your liver, then you have permanently altered your body’s ability to regulate and remove toxins. 3. One possible alternative is liver failure: a decrease in your liver’s efficiency in ridding your body of toxins such as alcohol. It takes your liver longer to do its job. This may be due to cirrhosis, which is a common consequence of long-term alcohol abuse. 4. See 3. 5. Yes, preferably from a doctor. I am _not_ a doctor, so take 3. with a very large grain of salt. ---
**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:** [January 23, 2009, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reformed-alcoholic-asking-a-question/482555/7 "2009-01-23T02:11:26Z")
I am a doctor, and one of my first concerns for a patient who complained of what you did would be to ascertain what shape their liver was in. See your doctor and relate your symptoms. ---
**Author:** ![ToeJam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dfb087/32.png) [@ToeJam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ToeJam)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2009, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reformed-alcoholic-asking-a-question/482555/8 "2009-01-23T02:25:57Z")
> [@dmatsch](#): > > 1. Did the heavy abuse I did in years past permanently alter my body chemistry? > 2. Is that even possible? > 3. What the hell happened to me? Yes, it’s quite possible. [Sensitization](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drug_sensitization#Sensitization). _[One more blurb on it](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensitization#Other)_ It’s not the best information on it, but it’s a start. But yes, to answer #2- it IS possible. I’d say go see a Doctor too. Good luck to you. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2009, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reformed-alcoholic-asking-a-question/482555/9 "2009-01-23T02:36:16Z")
> [@dmatsch](#): > > More than a few years ago after my divorce I started drinking heavily. A 5th of vodka a night was the norm. > > I found myself getting the shakes and other symptoms of heavy alcohol abuse and then drinking during the day to alleviate the symptoms and drinking more at night, so in the end I gave it up. > > For the most part. > > I still occasionally (once per month) go to a happy hour with my cow-orkers and have at most two to three drinks – usually a mixed drink – but never more than a that. > > When I do this, I find my tolerance is greatly reduced, and I get the shakes much more easily and with less alcohol than previously. > > And the worse part is that I feel more drunk (meaning I experience the effects of big alcohol use) for **at least 2 days** after I imbibe. The drunk high that I experience two days later is actually more intense than the buzz I get with use. > > Questions: > > 1. Did the heavy abuse I did in years past permanently alter my body chemistry? > 2. Is that even possible? > 3. What the hell happened to me? > 4. Why do I feel more “drunk” coming down (two days later still) off the occasional use then when I’m actually experiencing the acute buzz of my use? Among a number of other things, your liver is probably seriously damaged, thus it processes alcohol a lot more slowly. You get drunk quicker and stay drunk longer. > [@](#): > > 1. Do I need help? And what are the details of this help? I think you need help understanding that you’ve had your lifetime quota of alcohol, and you’re done (if you want to remain healthy, unless you have a close friend in good health who has more liver than he needs). Read this… learn it, don’t live it: [http://www.theonion.com/content/node/27832](http://www.theonion.com/content/node/27832) ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2009, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reformed-alcoholic-asking-a-question/482555/10 "2009-01-23T02:37:08Z")
> [@dmatsch](#): > > Questions: > > 1. Did the heavy abuse I did in years past permanently alter my body chemistry? > 2. Is that even possible? > 3. What the hell happened to me? > 4. Why do I feel more “drunk” coming down (two days later still) off the occasional use then when I’m actually experiencing the acute buzz of my use? > 5. Do I need help? And what are the details of this help? 1. Possibly- your liver function may be impaired. 2. Absolutely- lots of alcohol will eventually kill your liver. 3. Sensitivity to alcohol changed- could be nature or nurture. 4. No idea. 5. Help? A check up at a minimum. ETA- why do you call yourself an alcoholic in the OP? If you are, then yeah, you need help- to stop fucking drinking. Look in the phone book- my personal favorite is near the front… ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2009, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reformed-alcoholic-asking-a-question/482555/11 "2009-01-23T02:52:01Z")
> [@EJsGirl](#): > > . > ETA- why do you call yourself an alcoholic in the OP? If you are, then yeah, you need help- to stop fucking drinking. Look in the phone book- my personal favorite is near the front… He called himself a “reformed alcoholic” in the OP. To a great many people, there is a difference in the two terms. ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2009, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reformed-alcoholic-asking-a-question/482555/12 "2009-01-23T03:00:20Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > He called himself a “reformed alcoholic” in the OP. To a great many people, there is a difference in the two terms. Some would say there’s no such thing as a “reformed alcoholic.” Recovering, yes. Sober since X date, yes. But once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic. I will say that the thread title made me go :dubious:. I agree with the advice that the OP should hie himself to a doctor. ---
**Author:** ![HolyFreakingMoly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/7ba0ec/32.png) [@HolyFreakingMoly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HolyFreakingMoly)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2009, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reformed-alcoholic-asking-a-question/482555/13 "2009-01-23T03:06:45Z")
As a recovering addict I can say that I think Tomba gave you very good advice. Addiction, and alcoholism is addiction, has little to do with how much one uses or how often. It has much to do with continuing to do things in spite of negative consequences, that can be all kinds of things, gambling, wreckless sexual behaviors, drugs, drinking, etc. I belong to a 12 step program. You could certainly try an AA meeting or two and see if you relate. There is some reason you continue to drink in spite of the negative effects. You might want to explore that as much as you explore your physical state. I also agree with the dr… You should see on and have a hepatic profile done and a thorough check up. Good luck! ---
**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:** [January 23, 2009, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reformed-alcoholic-asking-a-question/482555/14 "2009-01-23T03:06:48Z")
> [@Scarlett67](#): > > Some would say there’s no such thing as a “reformed alcoholic.” Recovering, yes. Sober since X date, yes. But once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic. > > I will say that the thread title made me go :dubious: \<\\> An alcoholic is one who tends to drink alcoholically when they drink. I personally am in recovery, but I’m not gonna argue with someone (who isn’t a patient of mine) who tells me they used to drink alcoholically but now drink normally. Such people exist, in my experience (and my experience is fairly vast, frankly). “Reformed alcoholic” is as good a label as any for such a case, IMHO. There aren’t that many like that, percentage-wise but they’re out there. Of course, far more people claim that status than actually have it. ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2009, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reformed-alcoholic-asking-a-question/482555/15 "2009-01-23T03:16:53Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > “Reformed alcoholic” is as good a label as any for such a case, IMHO. There aren’t that many like that, percentage-wise but they’re out there. > > Of course, far more people claim that status than actually have it. Which status? “Reformed” or “alcoholic?” 😃 Just kidding… ---
**Author:** ![Algorithm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/algorithm/32/12204_2.png) [@Algorithm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algorithm)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2009, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reformed-alcoholic-asking-a-question/482555/16 "2009-01-23T04:32:10Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > An alcoholic is one who tends to **drink alcoholically** when they drink. What do you mean by this? ---
**Author:** ![MadPansy64](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@MadPansy64](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadPansy64)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2009, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reformed-alcoholic-asking-a-question/482555/17 "2009-01-23T04:49:58Z")
> [@dmatsch](#): > > 1. Did the heavy abuse I did in years past permanently alter my body chemistry? > 2. Is that even possible? > 3. What the hell happened to me? > 4. Why do I feel more “drunk” coming down (two days later still) off the occasional use then when I’m actually experiencing the acute buzz of my use? > 5. Do I need help? And what are the details of this help? 1. Possibly. 2. Yes. 3. You crawled into a bottle, and then crawled back out. 4. Your liver may have issues 5. Probably. The “details” will vary. You really should see a doctor. I’m one of those freak alcoholics who “reformed” and became a light social drinker, and, even more unusually, my liver wasn’t damaged. Me and my amazing liver are **very** unusual. See a doctor and tell him/her the **whole** truth so you can make an informed decision about whether to have that celebratory glass of champagne or not. Then go back and do it all again next year, or next month, _as your doctor advises_. Every “good” test is encouraging but does not mean you’re peachy-fine. Your description worries me, because #1) House is probably right, #2) we lie to ourselves most of all, #3) You recognize that a specific behaviour causes a problem, yet you seem to be resisting the obvious. Do not use any alcohol at all until after you see a doctor. If that is a problem, then perhaps you are not as “recovered” as you would like to believe. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2009, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reformed-alcoholic-asking-a-question/482555/18 "2009-01-23T06:32:33Z")
One should seek medical advice from a licensed physician who is personally familiar with the patient. Soon. Closing thread.