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January 27, 2025 • 58min
What Happens to Your Body and Mind When You Stop Drinking Alcohol
The Mel Robbins Podcast
This episode features Dr. Sarah Wakeman, Senior Medical Director of Substance Use Disorder at Harvard's Mass General Brigham Hospital and Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School. She provides an expert perspective on how alcohol impacts the body, brain and overall health, helping listeners make informed decisions about their relationship with alcohol.
What Happens to Your Body and Mind When You Stop Drinking Alcohol
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Key Takeaways
- Alcohol is the leading preventable cause of cancer according to the U.S. Surgeon General's recent advisory
- Alcohol molecule is the same chemical found in rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizer, and cleaning products
- Even moderate drinking impacts health through dehydration, disrupted sleep, increased anxiety, and hormone imbalances
- Liver damage from alcohol is being seen in people as young as their early 30s
- Treatment works and recovery is possible - alcohol use disorder is not a hopeless condition
- Support and understanding are more effective than "tough love" approaches when helping loved ones
Introduction
This episode features Dr. Sarah Wakeman, Senior Medical Director of Substance Use Disorder at Harvard's Mass General Brigham Hospital and Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School. She provides an expert perspective on how alcohol impacts the body, brain and overall health, helping listeners make informed decisions about their relationship with alcohol.
Topics Discussed
Understanding Alcohol as a Molecule (11:18)
Dr. Wakeman explains that alcohol is a water-soluble molecule absorbed through the stomach and small intestine that affects multiple body systems, particularly the brain.
- Same chemical compound found in cleaning products and hand sanitizers
- Created through fermentation of sugars and starches
- Rapidly absorbed and impacts behavior, sleep, mood and other functions
Health Impacts of Regular Drinking (13:57)
The latest research challenges previous beliefs about "moderate" drinking being potentially beneficial.
- Any amount of alcohol increases cancer risk, especially breast cancer
- Low-risk drinking may show slight decrease in overall mortality but benefits are likely overstated
- Important to consider personal and family health history when making decisions about alcohol use
- Clear link between alcohol and various cancers, particularly liver and digestive system cancers
Liver Disease and Alcohol (17:01)
Dr. Wakeman discusses the progression of liver damage from alcohol use and concerning trends in younger populations.
- Early stages of damage are reversible if drinking stops
- Seeing cirrhosis in early 30s - much younger than historically observed
- 25% increase in alcohol-related deaths after onset of pandemic
- Liver can regenerate but there's a point of no return with cirrhosis
Impact on Body Systems (19:03)
Alcohol affects multiple body systems beyond just the liver.
- Kidneys: Blocks antidiuretic hormone leading to dehydration
- Gut microbiome: Creates "leaky gut" and alters bacterial balance
- Brain: Impacts memory formation and can cause long-term damage
- Sleep: Disrupts natural sleep cycles and prevents restorative rest
Signs of Problematic Drinking (26:36)
Dr. Wakeman outlines key indicators that alcohol use may be becoming problematic.
- Drinking more than intended or unable to cut back when trying
- Continued use despite negative consequences or concerns from others
- Drinking despite worsening physical or mental health
- Strong psychological cravings for alcohol
- Needing more alcohol to get the same effect (tolerance)
Supporting Loved Ones (47:21)
Dr. Wakeman provides guidance on how to approach concerns about a loved one's drinking.
- Avoid "tough love" approaches - they often backfire
- Express care and concern without judgment
- Focus on how life could improve rather than criticizing current behavior
- Understand alcohol may be serving as a coping mechanism
- Help connect them with proper treatment resources
Making Personal Changes (57:24)
Practical advice for those wanting to change their relationship with alcohol.
- Keep a drinking diary to understand patterns and triggers
- Set specific, measurable goals rather than vague intentions
- Plan alternative activities that don't involve drinking
- Share goals with supportive friends/family
- Focus on your "why" - connect changes to meaningful life goals
Message of Hope (1:01:46)
Dr. Wakeman emphasizes that recovery is possible with proper support and treatment.
- Treatment works and people do recover
- Not an issue of willpower or moral failing
- Professional help is available and effective
- Recovery journey often involves many small steps
Conclusion
This episode provides valuable scientific information about alcohol's effects on health while offering practical guidance for both those questioning their own drinking and those concerned about loved ones. Dr. Wakeman's balanced, stigma-free approach emphasizes that change is possible while acknowledging the complexity of alcohol's role in people's lives and society.