Imagine you are at a New Year’s Eve party. Your friend finishes off an entire bottle of champagne, stays up all night dancing, and still feels great the next morning. You have a few glasses of wine and wake up exhausted with a pounding headache. Why does this happen?
It’s a well-known fact that different types of alcohol can have a variety of effects on us, based on our age, sex, race, size, the amount consumed and many factors. The body also metabolizes alcohol differently than food and other drinks – and the rate at which your own body metabolizes it can have a major impact on how we feel soon after drinking and the next morning as well.
One Drink Does Not Fit All
Darker liquors such as whiskey, tequila, and dark rum can give you the most intense hangovers. That is because these types of liquor contain more congeners, which are by-products of alcohol fermentation and also happen to be the cause of the darker color. If the body is having trouble digesting something – like congeners – it’s likely that you are going to feel worse as time goes on.
Lighter liquors such as vodka, gin, and light rum can cause the same intense hangovers as darker liquors, but the symptoms may not actually hurt as much because of the amount of congeners in them.
Wine is generally considered a “safe” option when it comes to hangovers, but the reality is that wine can lead to just as bad of a hangover as darker liquors as well. In fact, some wine can have just as many congeners as whiskey and other dark liquors – which likely means a worse hangover in the long run.
When it comes to drinking beer, it often leaves a sensation of bloated-ness in a person because of the level of carbon dioxide. Frequent beer drinking can also cause you to develop a “beer belly” that expands your waistline. When you drink beer, your body’s liver burns the alcohol instead of burning any fat from eating, often leaving you with a few extra pounds gained.
When Is “Just A Few Drinks” Too Much?
Alcohol is extremely prevalent in our culture, starting in our teen years. Mild alcohol abuse can easily be overlooked – but what appears to be a minor issue can easily turn dangerous over time. If left untreated, alcohol abuse can spiral out of control quickly.
Recognizing the warning signs of alcohol abuse and getting treatment can make a significant difference in a person’s recovery. Some of the most common warning signs include:
- Drinking alone or in secrecy
- Feeling hungover when not drinking
- Temporary blackouts or short-term memory loss
- Irritability and mood swings
- Making excuses for drinking, such as dealing with stress or feeling normal
- Becoming isolated and distant from friends and family
If you or a loved one is abusing alcohol, speak with a professional from Avalon Malibu today. It’s never too late to seek help.
Avalon Malibu is a world-renowned mental health and substance abuse recovery center. Entering an alcohol treatment program is a major life change, but one that is necessary for recovery to be possible. At Avalon Malibu, we strive to make the journey a positive and life-affirming choice, where individuals gain important new tools for living a life that is free from alcohol abuse. Call us today at (844) 857-5992 to learn more.
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