How Alcohol Rewires Your Brain and Increases Cancer Risk by 40%! The Alcohol Doctor, Dr. Sarah Wakeman

Experts discuss the detrimental health impacts of alcohol consumption, including raising cancer risk and causing severe organ damage, especially to the liver.

Alcohol Raises Cancer Risk, Including Breast and Esophageal

Sarah Wakeman and Steven Bartlett discuss the link between alcohol consumption and increased cancer risk, which is significantly seen in breast and esophageal cancer.

Daily Wine Consumption: One Glass Raises Breast Cancer Risk By 5%, two by 40%

Moderate risk drinking is associated with nearly every form of cancer. Wakeman explains that environmental factors, such as alcohol, increase breast cancer risk, with one daily glass of wine raising the risk by 5%, based on a baseline of 13.1%. She notes that this risk compounds with increased consumption—drinking two glasses daily can lead to a significant 40% increase in cancer risk. Wakeman highlights that breast cancer and esophageal cancer risks rise even with small alcohol amounts.

Bartlett and Wakeman point out that consuming two glasses of wine a day qualifies a person as a heavy drinker, though this amount may seem normal to some generations. Wakeman states that heavy drinking can lead to a substantial increase in cancer risk, and the risk intensifies with the amount of alcohol consumed. These findings are from large population studies.

Smoking and obesity amplify cancer risk when combined with alcohol consumption. Smoking and drinking together heighten the risk substantially due to the interplay with tobacco's carcinogens. This interaction is especially pertinent for esophageal cancer. Wakeman adds that alcohol generates toxic molecules during its elimination process, which causes cell damage that can lead to cancer. Further, alcohol also causes general inflammation, heightening cancer risks.

For breast cancer, even at low consumption levels, risk begins to increase. The risk increment is five percent, which slight raises the average U.S. woman's 13 percent lifetime likelihood of developing breast cancer. Drinking even one unit of alcohol raises breast cancer risk, and Wakeman confirms there is no safe alcohol amount concerning breast cancer risk.

Alcohol Harms Organs, Especially the Liver, Causing Cirrhosis, Fatty Liver, and Failure

Liver Tolerates Alcohol Until It Becomes Damaged and Scarred, Losing Full Regenerative Ability

The liver is highly sensitive to alcohol and is tasked with breaking down ethanol. As the liver tries to eliminate alcohol, it generates inflammation that can lead to damage. Wakeman explains that the liver, which processes toxins and metabolizes 90% of ingested alcohol, can regenerate much like a lizard's tail. However, this regeneration has limits.

Wakeman discusses how repeated heavy drinking, such as a weekend binge, can accelerate liver damage. The liver has some regenerative capacity ...

Sarah Wakeman delves into the complex neuroscience and psychology underpinning addiction, highlighting how the body's response to substances can drive addictive behaviors and affect individuals differently based on genetic and environmental factors.

Alcohol and Substances Activate Brain's Reward Pathways, Release [restricted term], and Activate Opioid System, Relieving Pain, Anxiety, and Trauma

Wakeman discusses the allure of substances like alcohol due to their significant impact on the brain's natural relief systems.

Response Encourages Addictive Behaviors

When people consume alcohol or drugs, their brains release "feel-good" hormones. Among them are [restricted term], which enhances rewarding experiences similar to food and sex, and endogenous opioids, the body's natural pain relievers. This release provides relief for individuals dealing with emotional or physical pain, including those who have experienced trauma. Alcohol in particular acts on the GABA system, which is the brain's primary anti-anxiety mechanism—akin to the effects of sedatives and anxiety medications—and prompts the release of endogenous opioids. These facts underscore why individuals may turn to substances like alcohol as stress and anxiety treatments, potentially leading to addiction.

Wakeman also touches on the Rat Park experiments, which demonstrated that social isolation could contribute to higher drug use in rats. Conversely, those in stimulating, socially rich environments consumed less. This indicates that social factors can drive addictive behaviors by interacting with the brain's reward system.

Substances capable of causing addiction vary in potency, with the degree of addiction tied to the amount of [restricted term] they release in the brain. This fits into a broader pattern: healthy [restricted term] release stimulated by activities like exercise, food, sex, and connection can contribute to wellbeing, but excessive reliance on such rewards, especially through substance use, can foster addictive patterns.

Genetic and Environmental Factors Predisposing To Addictive Tendencies

Wakeman outlines how early substance exposure and trauma can heighten the risk of addiction. The lasting impact of these experiences is potentiated by the slow maturation of the brain, only fully formed in the early to mid-20s. A blend of genetics (accounting for about 40-60% of someone's risk of addiction) and experiences such as adverse childhood experiences drive the risk of addiction, suggesting a need for careful personal decisions around substance use for those who might be predisposed.

Further, understanding individual neurobiology can help in making informed choices about substance use, potentially pre ...

The detrimental impact of alcohol addiction is pervasive, affecting not only the individual but also their employment, relationships, and overall well-being.

Alcohol Addiction Damages Relationships, Jobs, and Mental Health, Resulting In Job Loss, Family Breakdown, and Health Issues

Sarah Wakeman discusses the profound repercussions of alcohol addiction on personal relationships and employment. Steven Bartlett experiences misconduct issues at work, and his partner has left him due to his drinking habits. He admits that his alcohol consumption has posed risks at his job, where he operates heavy machinery, and expresses concern about potentially dangerous incidents.

Sarah Wakeman illustrates how addiction can result in the loss of precious time with loved ones because of a "tough love" approach which often means people withdraw support until the individual stops using or drinking.

Wakeman also speaks to the link between addiction and isolation, using the example of a man who loses his home to avoid jeopardizing his mother's housing situation. This tragic consequence of his heroin addiction ultimately leads to homelessness.

Stigma and Shame Often Prevent Seeking Help, Isolating and Worsening Addiction

The conversation highlights the stigma and shame surrounding addiction and the missed opportunities to offer effective care. These societal responses frequently deepen the isolation felt by people like Steven Bartlett. He worries not only about his immediate well-being but also about the long-term impacts on his employment. The feeling of being judged and misunderstood can exacerbate an individual's struggles and perpetuate their addiction.

Alcohol Addiction Is Widespread, Affecting an Estimated one in Three People

Wakeman sheds light on the scale of alcohol addiction, ...

Sarah Wakeman and Steven Bartlett discuss the multifaceted approaches to alcohol addiction treatment, including medication, therapy, and the importance of social connections and personal goals.

Evidence-Based Treatments For Alcohol Addiction: Medication-Assisted and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Medications Blocking Opioid Receptors or Modulating Appetite Reduce Alcohol Consumption and Cravings

Wakeman describes medications that are effective in treating alcohol use disorder, including those that block opioid receptors in the brain. These medications lessen the reward of drinking alcohol, leading to diminished pleasure and consequently less desire to drink excessively. She also cites the work of Sinclair in Europe, who conducted experiments where the medication was taken when needed, such as before attending a social event, and was shown to reduce alcohol use.

Moreover, Wakeman describes a new class of medications used for weight loss, such as Wegovy and Ozempic (GLP-1 medication), which have been shown in clinical trials to reset cravings more globally, not just for food, thereby reducing alcohol consumption.

Social Connections and Purpose Are Key to Recovery

Wakeman emphasizes the importance of social connections, community, purpose, and hope in both the prevention and treatment of addiction. She advocates for the creation of communities and finding engagement, meaning, and purpose through various activities, which can include volunteer work, social groups, and sports. These elements help insulate against stress and loneliness, which can often lead to alcohol use.

Comprehensive, Compassionate, Personalized Treatments Addressing Trauma and Mental Health Root Causes of Addiction Are More Effective Than Traditional "One-size-Fits-All" Programs

The effectiveness of therapy in addressing early childhood trauma is also pivotal, as Wakeman stresses the need for available, welcoming, high-quality therapy with well-trained, empathetic therapists. She underscores how therapist empathy is a strong predictor of successful change in alcohol or drug use.

In regards to fostering recovery, Wakeman highlights the power of having a purpose or "why" that helps maintain energy towards achieving goals since mere motivation can be fleeting. She talks about ...

Sarah Wakeman argues that addiction is a health issue, not a moral failing, and advocates for a more scientific and empathetic approach to treatment and understanding.

Language on Addiction Can Perpetuate Harmful Stigmas and Misconceptions

Wakeman discusses the pervasive misconception of addiction as a moral failing and advocates for empathetic, evidence-based treatment practices.

Using Person-First Language, Such as "Person With an Addiction," Promotes Empathetic Understanding

Terms such as "clean" and "dirty" in the context of addiction carry implicit judgments, which Wakeman argues perpetuate stigma. She emphasizes the importance of person-first language, advocating for terms such as "person with addiction" instead of labels like "addict" or "alcoholic" to respect the individual beyond their health condition. Comparing harmful labels like "dirty" or "addict" to calling someone a child abuser, Wakeman underlines how these terms increase stigma. Steven Bartlett acknowledges his own accidental misuse of stigmatizing language, signifying the importance of language use informed by science and data.

Wakeman advises that person-first language is preferable, such as saying "a person with addiction" rather than "addict." She mentions that while individuals may refer to themselves in certain terms, healthcare professionals or those aiming to reduce stigma should choose different language. There are instances where patients question her terminology, leading to conversations that empower them to redefine themselves as people in recovery or with addiction, moving away from self-stigmatizing labels.

Addiction Should Be Treated As a Chronic Health Condition

Wakeman stresses that addiction should be treated as a chronic health condition. She emphasizes the need for science-based treatment, compassion, and empathy, and suggests a shift in perspective from thinking of the person as the problem ("you are the problem") to recognizing that the person has a problem ("you have a problem") that can be addressed with help.

Raising Awareness of Addiction Neurobiology Reduces Stigma and Encourages Seeking Help

She underscores the importance of changing how addiction is thought about, bringing addiction care back into the medical system as part of comprehensive healthcare. As addiction is a c ...