Toxin Awareness

A toxin is a poisonous substance. The liver acts as a mechanism for clearance, detoxification, and excretion. Most ingested substances and inhaled substances,as well as substances absorbed through the skin, are chemically altered as they pass through the liver. The liver is vulnerable to toxicity caused by a variety of sources because of its central role in metabolic processing.

It is well known that drinking alcohol may raise the risk of liver toxicity. In addition to alcohol, liver toxicity can be triggered by exposure to over-the-counter medications, prescription medications, herbal and natural supplements, vitamins, minerals, street drugs, environmental pollutants, and even common household products.

An individual with chronic liver disease may be more vulnerable to toxin sensitivity. If an individual with only a small amount of remaining reserve liver function cannot tolerate a toxin, that person may experience a worsening of his or her condition.

 

Alcohol Toxicity

What is Alcohol?

Alcohol is a legal drug that is classified as a depressant based on its effects on the central nervous system. Consuming alcohol slows down the central nervous system, creating a time lapse for vital communication from the brain to other areas of the body. Once alcohol enters the bloodstream, it affects all of the body's cells and systems.

Alcohol is produced  when certain microorganisms metabolize carbohydrates in the absence of oxygen. This process is called fermentation. The fermentation process occurs naturally in grains and fruits. The ingredient in alcohol that is toxic to the liver is called ethanol, which is found in beer, wine, and liquor.

Alcohol contains no nutrients. In fact, drinking alcohol can actually create vitamin absorption problems in those who drink. Malnutrition is a very common problem in regular drinkers.

 

What are the Effects of Alcohol on The Body?

Once alcohol is consumed, it travels down into the stomach, where 20% enters the blood stream through tiny blood vessels. This accounts for the initial ''rush'' created by drinking alcohol. The other 80% travels to the small intestine, where it is then absorbed into the bloodstream.

All ingested alcohol circulates throughout the bloodstream until it reaches the liver. The liver plays the important role of metabolizing alcohol- that is, using enzymes to break it down. The liver is only capable of metabolizing one standard drink per hour. When more than one drink or standard unit is ingested within an hour, the alcohol continues circulating in the bloodstream until the liver can process it.

A standard drink or standard unit of alcohol consists of:

• 12 fl oz of 5% beer
• 8 fl oz of 7% malt liquor
• 4 fl oz 12%  wine
• 3 fl oz 17% sherry or port
• 2 fl oz of 24% aperitif, cordial or liqueur
• 1.5 fl oz of 40% brandy
• 1.5 fl oz shot of 40%/ 80-proof liquor

Alcohol waiting for processing saturates the blood and makes its way to other body tissue until the liver can process it. Nothing can expedite the processing time for alcohol. A cup of coffee, certain foods, or a cold shower will not cause one to "sober up". The liver requires roughly one hour per standard drink to process the alcohol.

Alcohol affects every aspect of the body and bodily functions, and it has both short-and long-term effects. Drinking alcohol causes impairment in balance, coordination, and reflexes. Additionally, drinking alcohol affects the drinker's judgment and reasoning skills. Sometimes this is experienced as a false sense of confidence, or the shedding of a typical inhibition.

 

How Much Alcohol is Too Much?

It is widely known that drinking too much alcohol will damage the liver. But how much is too much? Too much can only be defined on an individual basis. Too much alcohol means too much for your body. There isn't a standardized alcohol threshold that can accurately predict your chances of developing an alcohol-related liver disease.

Experts suggest that men have no more than 2 drinks per day and that women have no more than 1 drink per day.

Drinking alcohol is very common in many cultures around the world. Sometimes it can be difficult to differentiate between ''social drinking'' and ''problem drinking''. Many people do not realize that moderate drinking can produce dangerous consequences. A person does not have to drink all day to engage in problem drinking or drinking that leads to liver problems. Alcohol abuse, alcoholism, and binge drinking are all very prevalent in the U.S., despite widespread awareness of the dangers of alcohol consumption.

It is very important to keep alcohol units in mind when drinking. Many servings of drinks exceed one standard unit.

 

Alcohol Units per Common Serving Sizes

Beer, 5% Alcohol by Volume (Amstel, Budweiser, Coors, Guinness, Michelob, Miller, etc.)

• 12 fl oz = 1 standard unit/drinks
• 16 fl oz = 1.3 standard units/drinks
• 22 fl oz = 2 standard units/drinks
• 40 fl oz = 3.3 standard units/drinks

Check the percentage of alcohol content in beer; it can range from 3.2% to as high as 29% for some craft beers. Beer with greater than 5% alcohol content exceeds one standard unit for a 12 fl oz serving.

Malt Liquor, 7% Alcohol by Volume (Ballantine, Colt 45, King Cobra, Mickey’s, Olde English, Steel Reserve, St. Ides, etc.)

• 12 fl oz = 1.5 standard units/drinks
• 16 fl oz = 2 standard units/drinks
• 22 fl oz = 2.5 standard units/drinks
• 40 fl oz = 4.5 standard drinks

Wine, 12% Alcohol by Volume
Wine alcohol content percentages range from 8% to over 20%. Additionally, wine glasses vary in size and can hold from 8 to 14 fluid ounces of liquid. The variation in glass size makes pouring a standard unit of wine difficult.

• 4 fl oz glass = 1 standard unit/drink
• 750 mL/25 fl oz bottle = 5 standard units/drinks

80-Proof Liquor, 40% Alcohol by Volume (Gin, Rum, Scotch, Vodka, Whiskey)
Glass variations and mixers can make pouring a standard unit of 80 proof liquor difficult. A "highball" glass holds between 8 and 12 fluid ounces. An "old-fashioned" glass holds between 8 and 10 fluid ounces. A "Collins" glass holds 14 fluid ounces.

• one mixed drink = 1 or more standard units/drinks
• one pint/16 fl oz of liquor = 11 standard units/drinks
• a fifth/25 fl oz of liquor = 17 standard units/drinks
• 1.75 L/50 fl oz bottle of liquor = 39 standard units/drinks

 

Women and Alcohol

Women have a 50-100% higher mortality rate from chronic alcohol abuse than men. The detrimental effects of alcohol are more severe in women than men due to chemical or biological differences within the body. It is believed that the way that alcohol is broken down in the body is different between the sexes.

Women's stomachs may also contain less of a key enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase, which is an essential enzyme in the initial process of breaking down of alcohol. This means that women may break down alcohol at a slower rate, consequently exposing the liver to toxins for a longer period of time. Women also develop chronic liver diseases after a comparatively shorter time period and with less alcohol consumption than men.

 

Problem Drinking

Problem drinking can be difficult to define. Alcoholism, a condition that can be genetically inherited, is one of the most prevalent psychiatric conditions in the U.S. Despite the fact that alcoholism is so common, it is often overlooked; it may not be investigated in a clinical environment until significant emotional, physical, or environmental damage has occurred.

Alcohol consumption is legal and is widely regarded as socially acceptable in the U.S.; as a result, individuals who have questions about problem drinking are often left to their own devices.

 

Self-Assessment Questionnaires/Alcohol Screening Tests

Various self-assessment questionnaires are available to help individuals distinguish problem drinking from social drinking. It is vital that one accurately and honestly examine personal drinking habits. The following questionnaires have proven accurate when answered honestly regarding drinking behaviors:

CAGE Questionnaire

One of the most widely used tests for assessing drinking habits is called the CAGE Questionnaire. This is a short, four-question self-assessment quiz to help an individual consider his or her personal drinking habits. Individuals with a score of 2 or more "yes" answers are considered to engage in problem drinking and are urged to consult a doctor.

• C: Have you ever felt that you should cut down on your drinking?
• A: Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
• G: Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking?
• E:Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning (eye-opener) to steady your nerves?

T-ACE Questionnaire

This self-assessment questionnaire includes three of the CAGE questions and one additional question (the first one) that has proved important for accurate results. Individuals with a score of 2 or more "yes" answers may be engaging inproblem drinking and are urged to consult a doctor.

• T: Does it take more than 3 drinks to make you feel high?
• A: Have you ever felt annoyed by people's criticism of your drinking?
• C: Are you trying to cut down on drinking?
• E: Have you ever used alcohol as an eye-opener in the morning?

RAPS4 Questionnaire

The short, four-question RAPS4 questionnaire has proven to be more accurate than the CAGE questionnaire, although it is not as widely used. The acronym stands for (R) remorse, (A) amnesia, (P) performance, and (S) starter drinking behavior. Individuals answering "yes" to any one of the following questions may engage in problem drinking and are urged to consult a doctor.

• Have you had a feeling of guilt or remorse after drinking?
• Has a friend or family member ever told you about things you said or did while you were drinking that you could not remember?
• Have you failed to do what was normally expected of you because of drinking?
• Do you sometimes take a drink when you first get up in the morning?

Longer alcohol screening questionnaires,such as the MAST Test (Michigan alcohol screening test), are also available.

 

Alcohol Cessation

Problem drinking, alcoholism, and/or liver disease may require one to stop drinking alcohol. It is estimated that 90-100% of those who regularly drink more than recommended amounts of alcohol have alcoholic fatty liver disease. Alcoholic fatty liver is the first stage of liver disease, and it can progress to more severe, even life-threatening conditions such as cirrhosis.

Alcohol affects the way in which the liver stores fat. Continuing to drink alcohol once fat has accumulated will exacerbate the fat problem . When alcohol consumption stops, the liver has the ability to shed the accumulated fat and repair itself. Scarring of the liver caused by cirrhosis and liver fibrosis is irreversible, but it is never too late to quit drinking.

By refraining from drinking alcohol, one can prevent further damage to the liver and halt the progression of disease. Individuals with cirrhosis must quit drinking to prevent liver failure. Individuals with cirrhosis who continue to drink are ineligible for liver transplantation.

A doctor can help you find an approach to quitting alcohol that is right for you. Medication, therapy, and support groups, especially when used together, have been found to be effective in helping people to quit drinking. Depending on liver function, medication may not be an option.

Deciding to quit drinking is a very important step toward protecting your liver. It isn't always easy, but know that you are not alone. Every day, community support groups and online support groups help millions of people to stay sober. Some of the organizations that focus on sobriety include:

• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
• Horizon Health Services
• Moderation Management
• SMART Recovery
• Women for Sobriety
• Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
• Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS)

Most organizations also have programs for the families and friends of individuals suffering from addiction.

 

Alcohol Withdrawal and Delirium Tremens

If you have liver disease, or if you have any concern about your drinking habits, it is important that you take steps to quit drinking. Speak with your doctor if you have concerns about your drinking and would like to stop. There are options for those who would like to quit drinking alcohol.

Depending on the nature of your drinking, quitting "cold turkey" may not be a safe option. If you experience severe withdrawal symptoms at any time, you should contact your doctor immediately. Severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms can lead to life-threatening conditions.

Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include:

• Anxiety
• Headache
• Insomnia
• Nausea with or without vomiting
• Shaky hands
• Sweating

Between 12-24 hours after stopping drinking, one may experience mild hallucinations. Typically, the individual can differentiate between reality and these hallucinations. These hallucinations are different from those experienced in delirium tremens.

Delirium tremens (DTs)is a severe withdrawal symptom that occurs when a heavy drinker quits drinking. DTs typically occur within 72 hours after the last drink, but can begin up to 10 days later. DTs are considered a dangerous condition and a medical emergency. If you or someone you know is experiencing any of the symptoms of delirium tremens, seek immediate medical assistance.

Symptoms of delirium tremens include:

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