3 Ways to Tell if You're Drinking Too Much

Maybe you’ve been there… googling “am I an alcoholic?” or “how much alcohol is too much?”

Of course, the results are difficult to interpret. Some resources might say that a certain number of drinks per week may put you at risk for health concerns, while others might mention the effects of binge drinking.

Whether you’re drinking a few drinks per day, or a few drinks per week, each of our bodies responds differently to the effects of alcohol consumption.

When working with clients at Functional Sobriety, we look to how the body may be impacted by alcohol use and investigate a few different areas of the body that might be red flags that you’re drinking too much (or that you might simply benefit from drinking less).

No 1: Your Digestion is Off

Alcohol can have a significant impact on our gut health. It can contribute to bloating, constipation, diarrhea, reflux and other uncomfortable symptoms. However, it has an impact on a deeper, microscopic level, too.

We now know that alcohol affects the gut microbiome, the delicate balance of bacteria inside of our digestive system that helps absorb nutrients, digest toxic substances and even produce some of our brain’s “feel-good” hormones.

Long-term, regular alcohol use can also impact the lining of the gut and contribute to leaky gut, when the lining of our gastrointestinal system begins to break down. This can contribute to systemic inflammation, food sensitivities, and even autoimmune conditions.

Here are some symptoms to tell if your gut may be affected by your alcohol intake:

• Constipation, bloating, reflux, or loose bowel movement (regular bowels = 1-3 bowel movements per day)

• Skin irregularities, like acne, eczema, dry skin, or psoriasis

• An autoimmune disease

• Food sensitivities or reactions to new foods

• A weakened immune system

No 2: Your Hormones are Off

Because alcohol directly affects our liver (the site in our body that metabolizes hormones), regular intake can wreak havoc on our hormonal balance. This goes for both women and men. In women, this might look like irregular periods, infertility, or menopausal symptoms. In men, this might manifest as low testosterone, erectile dysfunction, and gynecomastia (male breast tissue development).

Alcohol also drives stress levels (i.e. cortisol levels) in the body, which can drive changes in regular sex hormone production and can also affect thyroid hormones, blood sugar regularity, and other hormonal processes in the body.

Here are some symptoms to tell if your hormones may be affected by your alcohol intake:

• Irregular periods, PMS, or heavy periods

• Menopausal symptoms

• Hormonal acne

• Infertility

No 3: Your Mood is Off

While many of us can relate to feeling hangxiety (or the anxiety associated with a hangover), any ongoing mood changes on a daily basis can be the result of too much alcohol.

Alcohol changes the production of some of our brain’s neurotransmitters, affecting how we feel, how easily we can relax, how happy we feel, and how stimulated we feel. It also reduces the body’s nutrient levels, which play a key role in the development of these healthy mood-regulating chemicals.

If you’re experiencing anxiety and/or depression and are drinking more than 5 beverages per week, you will benefit from reducing or eliminating your alcohol consumption.

Here are some symptoms to tell if your mood may be affected by your alcohol intake:

• Depressed mood

• Increased anxiety (especially after alcohol use)

• Low motivation

• Difficulty focusing

So, Now What?

If you’re drinking more than 5 beverages per week and are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you will likely benefit from drinking less alcohol or eliminating it entirely.

The great news is that nutrition and Functional Sobriety can be the solution to healing your gut, hormones, and mood using certain foods and nutrients to restore the body to factory settings.

Click here to learn more about how to get started >>