Arielle Cruz
If you have a high alcohol tolerance, it means that your body is responding to your drinking and taking action to limit the influence of alcohol in your body. This means that you may need to drink more to feel the effects, which can lead to a range of health problems and increase your risk of becoming alcohol dependent. If you are worried about your alcohol tolerance, it is important to take a break from drinking to give your body a chance to reset. This can be done by cutting down or temporarily abstaining from alcohol. Understanding why you drink and tracking your triggers can also help you build healthier drinking habits. If you are concerned about your drinking, it is important to seek support from a healthcare professional.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Risks | Potential health problems, legal consequences, uncomfortable social situations, and higher risk of alcohol use disorder (AUD) |
| Reasons | Regular drinking, higher body mass, family history of alcoholism, socio-economic and cultural differences, diet, and drinking patterns |
| Solutions | Abstinence, drinking less, seeking professional help, and medication |
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What You'll Learn
Take a break from drinking
Taking a break from drinking alcohol is a good way to reset your tolerance and reduce your risk of becoming dependent on it. By taking a break, you break the cycle of drinking, preventing your body from becoming accustomed to alcohol.
If you are worried that you have symptoms of alcohol dependence, it is important to talk to your doctor or seek advice from a support service before stopping drinking. They can advise on the best course of action and provide support and guidance to help you stop misusing alcohol.
Taking a break from drinking can be challenging, and it is important to be aware of the risks of withdrawal. If you are physically dependent on alcohol, you may experience physical withdrawal symptoms like shaking, sweating, or nausea when your blood alcohol level drops. In this case, it can be dangerous to stop drinking completely or cut down too quickly without medical support.
There are alternatives to stopping drinking altogether. Some people find it easier to cut down rather than stop drinking completely. It is recommended that men and women drink no more than 14 units of alcohol per week, spread over three or more days, with several alcohol-free days and no bingeing. This can help you stick to low-risk drinking guidelines and reduce your tolerance over time.
If you are struggling to cut down or stop drinking, it may be helpful to understand your triggers and plan how to change your response. For example, if you usually drink in a particular setting or situation, like a bonfire, your body may begin to adjust to alcohol before your first drink. Understanding these triggers can help you make more informed choices about drinking and build healthier habits.
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Understand the risks of high alcohol tolerance
Having a high alcohol tolerance means that your body has adapted to high levels of alcohol, and you may need to drink more to feel its effects. This can lead to a higher risk of alcohol dependence and a range of adverse health effects. For example, those with a high alcohol tolerance may underestimate their level of intoxication and engage in tasks requiring concentration, which can be dangerous. Additionally, the more alcohol you drink, the more alcohol you need to consume to achieve the same effects, leading to a vicious cycle.
High alcohol tolerance can also be expensive, as you may need to buy more drinks to feel the desired effects. It can also lead to legal consequences or uncomfortable social situations. Furthermore, heavy drinking over an extended period can lead to "reverse tolerance," where the liver becomes damaged by chronic alcohol use, resulting in a buildup of fat and scar tissue. This reduced liver function means that even small amounts of alcohol can lead to high blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and rapid intoxication.
People with a family history of alcoholism are four times more likely to develop a dependency, and certain ethnic groups, such as Native Americans, have a higher probability of developing an alcohol use disorder. Additionally, higher body weight and the prevalence of high levels of alcohol dehydrogenase, an enzyme that breaks down alcohol, can increase alcohol tolerance.
Lastly, it is important to note that tolerance does not mean your health risks are lower. In fact, because you may be noticing less of a short-term effect, you could be consuming more alcohol than you realize, increasing your risk of health problems such as cancer, liver damage, and other issues.
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Recognise the signs of alcohol dependence
Alcohol tolerance is a state where alcohol no longer affects you as strongly as it did initially. This means that you require more alcohol to feel its effects. As a result, you may end up drinking more than you realise, which can lead to adverse health effects and alcohol dependence.
Developing a tolerance to alcohol can be dangerous as it may lead to alcohol dependence or addiction. If you are dependent on alcohol, you may experience physical withdrawal symptoms such as shaking, sweating, or nausea when your blood alcohol level drops. For example, this could be before your first drink of the day.
There are several signs that may indicate that you are becoming dependent on alcohol:
- You are spending a significant amount of time obtaining and drinking alcohol or recovering from its effects.
- Alcohol use is interfering with your ability to meet essential responsibilities at work, school, or home.
- You are drinking alone or in secret.
- You are experiencing blackouts or memory loss after drinking.
- You are unable to stop drinking once you have started or control how much you drink.
- You are experiencing negative consequences due to your drinking but are unable to cut down or stop.
- You are engaging in risky behaviours while drinking, such as driving under the influence or having unprotected sex.
- You are neglecting your hobbies, social activities, or relationships due to alcohol use.
- You are experiencing physical or psychological changes, such as increased anxiety, depression, or changes in appetite and energy levels.
If you recognise any of these signs in yourself or someone you know, it is important to seek help and support. Alcohol dependence can have serious health consequences, and it is important to address the issue as early as possible.
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Seek professional help
If you are concerned about your high alcohol tolerance, it is important to seek professional help. Alcohol tolerance can lead to alcohol dependence and addiction, so it is crucial to address the issue before it becomes a more serious problem. Here are some steps you can take to seek professional help:
Consult a healthcare professional: Start by making an appointment with your doctor or a healthcare provider who specializes in addiction medicine. Be honest about your drinking habits and concerns. They can assess your situation, provide guidance, and refer you to appropriate treatment options.
Consider therapy and counselling: Seeking therapy or counselling services can be incredibly beneficial. Therapists and counsellors are trained to help you understand the underlying causes of your high alcohol tolerance and provide strategies to manage your drinking. They can also support you in addressing any co-occurring mental health issues that may be contributing factors.
Explore treatment programs: Depending on the severity of your situation, your healthcare provider may recommend participating in a treatment program. This could include inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation, 12-step programs, or other structured treatment modalities. These programs offer comprehensive support and often include individual and group therapy, medication-assisted treatment, and relapse prevention strategies.
Medication-assisted treatment: In some cases, medication may be prescribed to help manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms. These medications can ease the process of reducing your alcohol consumption and maintaining abstinence. Always consult a medical professional before starting any medication.
Support groups and community resources: Joining support groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or other local community groups, can provide additional support and accountability. These groups offer peer support, shared experiences, and a sense of community that can be crucial during your journey.
Remember, seeking professional help is a sign of strength and self-care. By taking this step, you are prioritizing your health and well-being, which is essential for long-term recovery and maintaining a healthy relationship with alcohol.
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Cut down your alcohol consumption
If you have a high alcohol tolerance, it means that your body is responding to your drinking and taking action to limit the influence of alcohol in your body. This can lead to a range of health problems, including an increased risk of cancer, and can also overwhelm your body's natural defences to alcohol.
To cut down on your alcohol consumption, you could start by aiming to stay below the UK CMOs' low-risk drinking guidelines. This means not regularly drinking more than 14 units of alcohol a week, spreading your drinking out by taking several drink-free days every week, and never binge drinking.
If you are drinking regularly, the receptors in your brain gradually adapt to the effects of alcohol. This means that the same amount of alcohol has less of a short-term effect on the way you feel, so you need to drink more to get the same feeling. This can lead to alcohol dependence, where you need alcohol to feel normal.
If you are concerned that you may have symptoms of alcohol dependence, talk to your GP or seek further information from a support service before stopping. It can be dangerous to stop drinking completely or cut down too quickly without medical support.
Some people find it easier to cut down rather than stop drinking altogether. You could try setting a limit on the number of drinks you have when you go out, or alternating alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic ones. Understanding why you drink can also help you make more informed choices about alcohol and build healthier habits.
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Frequently asked questions
A high alcohol tolerance means that your body has gotten used to high levels of alcohol, and you need to drink more to feel the effects. This can lead to excessive drinking, increasing the risk of alcohol use disorder (AUD) and other health issues.
People with a high alcohol tolerance may underestimate their level of intoxication and the amount of alcohol they consume can still affect them. This can lead to adverse health effects, including an increased risk of cancer, liver damage, and other serious health problems.
Taking a break from drinking or reducing the amount you drink are effective ways to lower your alcohol tolerance. Abstinence is the most effective way to lower your tolerance, and for most people, a few weeks without alcohol can have a significant effect.
If you need help cutting back on drinking, consider reaching out for professional addiction treatment. You can also call SAMHSA’s National Helpline to learn about resources in your area.
