Addiction Doctor: Alcohol Rewires Your Brain! Alcohol Is The Reason You Feel Awful! This Many Glasses Of Wine Increases Cancer Risk By 40%!

Alcohol's Effects: Cancer Risk, Liver Damage, Brain Changes, and More

Sarah Wakeman raises concerns about the common misperception that alcohol can be protective against health harms. Contrary to this belief, even moderate drinking is linked with an increased risk of various cancers, including breast and esophageal cancer. She emphasizes that the amount of alcohol it takes to start causing health problems is much lower than most assume. Specifically, consuming alcohol above low-risk limits raises the risk for certain cancers, with drinking two glasses of wine daily leading to a 40% increase in health risks for some cancers.

Wakeman describes how alcohol metabolizes in the liver into toxic byproducts that float around, causing cell damage and inflammation, and, consequently, an increased cancer risk. This damage can be compounded in those who drink and smoke, as alcohol increases susceptibility to the carcinogens in tobacco, with the risks being multiplicative rather than merely additive. Moreover, if caught early, liver damage from alcohol can be reversible, but advanced conditions like cirrhosis can lead to irreversible damage.

Further extending alcohol’s reach, it affects not just the liver and cancer risk, but also has sobering effects on the brain. MRI scans reveal that heavy alcohol use can lead to significant brain shrinkage and dementia-like impairment over time. Ethanol's inflammatory and cellular effects on the brain can be exacerbated by common nutritional deficiencies among those with heavy consumption. High alcohol intake is also linked to heart issues, such as atrial fibrillation, also known as "holiday heart," and can contribute to congestive heart failure due to a weakened heart muscle.

Addiction Neurobiology: Substances Hijacking the Brain's Reward System

Addiction’s roots can be explored through the lens of neurobiology, where alcohol and other addictive substances release [restricted term] in the brain, neurochemically rewarding consumption and creating a pleasure loop. Over time, these substances induce changes in the brain that lead to cravings and an escalating need for the substance. Our natural reward system, which includes pleasure from exercise, food, sex, and connection, c ...

The discussion on addiction treatment highlights the need for reframing societal perceptions of addiction and emphasizes evidence-based, compassionate approaches to support individuals in managing their addiction in the long term.

Traditional Rehab Limits and the Need For Evidence-Based, Compassionate Treatment

Rehab Programs Lack Long-Term Support For Addiction Management

Sarah Wakeman criticizes the traditional view of addiction as a moral failing and insists on viewing it as a medical condition requiring ongoing management, akin to living with a chronic illness like cancer. She describes the typical rehab approach, where the expectation is a "cure" after a short stay, as flawed. Rehab programs often lack long-term support, which is critical for ongoing recovery, and this lack is exemplified by missed opportunities for kindness and effective, science-backed care within the healthcare system.

Effective Addiction Treatments Underutilized

Wakeman points to the underutilization of evidence-based psychotherapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy and treatments for underlying trauma. Additionally, she underscores that medication treatments for conditions like alcohol use disorder are surrounded by stigma and misunderstanding, leading to their underuse. Subsequently, she emphasizes that it is often the treatment that fails the individual, rather than the individual failing treatment.

Empowering Sustainable Change Through Motivational Interviewing

Intrinsic Motivations Over External Demands

Wakeman underscores the importance of motivational interviewing, a technique that leverages a person's own reasons for change rather than external demands. It involves listening for "change talk," indicators that the person wants to change, and reflecting these back to amplify their significance, thereby steering clear of confrontation and argument.

Supportive Environment Focused On Personal Goals and Values

Wakeman also emphasizes the importance of a supportive environment focusing on personal goals and values, which aligns with CRAFT ...

Wakeman and Bartlett delve into the complex societal dynamics that contribute to addiction, emphasizing the role of social connection and the necessity of addressing the underlying causes through upstream prevention and empathy.

Isolation, Loneliness, and Lack of Connection Fueling Addiction

Wakeman points to the large scale of addiction worldwide, with stigma often leading to a lack of discussion on topics such as lack of connection and community. This is evidenced by stories of individuals needing to hit rock bottom before recognizing the need for change, suggesting that societal narratives around addiction emphasize disconnection and individual crises rather than support and community.

Social Disconnection and Individualism Increase Vulnerability To Addiction

Individuals struggling with addiction often feel hopeless, and a lack of perceived possibilities for a better life can contribute to the persistence of addiction. The hosts emphasize the importance of hope, love, empathy, and connection in facilitating change.

Strong Communities, Relationships, and Purpose Protect Against Addiction

Stories illustrate how isolation and loneliness play a central role in exacerbating addiction. For example, a man who became increasingly isolated and eventually died of an overdose represents the devastating impact of disconnection. Wakeman suggests that fostering connection can aid in addiction recovery, and Rat Park experiments underline the relevance of engaging environments and social connections. It has become evident that historically, human beings thrived on interconnectedness, with villages and multi-generational households providing support systems that are crucial in today’s context as well.

Building Resilience By Addressing Root Causes of Addiction Through Upstream Prevention

Wakeman emphasizes the importance of addressing broader societal issues such as untreated mental illness, trauma, and a fundamental lack of connection and purpose. Building resilience involves creating supportive environments early on, with affordable housing, community resources, and a foundation of strong relationships and attachments.

Investing In Early Childhood, Family Support, and Community Resources to Reduce Childhood Adversity

Discussion reflects on the powerful impact of adverse childhood ex ...