Also, if your symptoms seem to be linked to an allergy or a medication you’re taking, see your doctor. Behavioral therapy helps treat alcoholism by targeting the psychological aspects of addiction and encouraging positive behavioral changes. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is particularly effective in identifying and modifying thought patterns that contribute to alcohol use. Detoxification, or detox, is the initial process of removing alcohol from the body, allowing it to adjust to the absence of alcohol.
Signs and symptoms
Without sufficient ALDH2, a toxic byproduct of alcohol metabolism known as acetaldehyde builds up and causes unpleasant reactions. The middle stage of alcohol addiction is marked by heightened alcohol dependence and the emergence of physical cravings. During this phase, individuals experience withdrawal symptoms when not drinking, such as irritability, anxiety, or tremors. Attempts to cut back or quit alcohol use usually fail due to the body’s increasing reliance on alcohol for normal functioning.
Can You Develop Sudden Alcohol Intolerance?
It’s the result of hereditary genes that cause a deficiency in the enzyme ALDH2. Your body needs this enzyme to properly metabolize alcohol and eliminate it from the body, so there’s nothing you can do to prevent or cure alcohol intolerance. Alcohol intolerance means it’s difficult for your body to break down (metabolize) alcohol. This allows toxins to build up, resulting in facial flushing and other alcohol intolerance symptoms.
Genetic Causes
The behaviors indicated at the early stage of alcohol abuse include drinking to relieve stress, increased tolerance, and hiding alcohol use. During the pre-alcoholic stage, individuals engage in alcohol consumption to cope with emotional distress, gradually developing alcohol dependence. When most people ingest alcohol (with ethanol content), an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase is released to process the ethanol. ALDH2, another enzyme in the body, then converts acetaldehyde into acetic acid, which you can then remove from your body. There is no cure or treatment for alcohol intolerance unless it is due to medication use or a medical condition. For people who have alcohol intolerance due to a medication, stopping the medication will likely resolve the alcohol intolerance.
- Additionally, some insurance plans may require prior authorization or limit the amount of treatment covered.
- If you or someone you love struggles with alcohol abuse or addiction, you are not alone.
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- Some common examples include cheese, wine, meats, fish, and fermented foods like sauerkraut.
- If you have alcohol intolerance and are not going to stop drinking, the less alcohol you use, the better your alcohol intolerance will be.
When dealing with alcohol intolerance, one simple rule to remember is that less really is more. Since alcohol intolerance happens because your body struggles to process alcohol, sipping slowly and spacing out your drinks can help ease those uncomfortable symptoms. If you’ve ever noticed that you feel particularly rough after enjoying whiskey or rum compared to lighter options like vodka or gin, the higher congener content in those darker spirits may be to blame. In general, lighter alcoholic beverages tend to alcohol intolerance contain fewer congeners, which may lead to a milder hangover experience. It’s important to understand that not everyone is affected by sulfites, but for those with sulfur or sulfite sensitivity, reactions can be more pronounced.
