Impact of Alcohol on LCers?

[polo92198]

2 months ago, my beloved, age 67, noting the weight loss success I have had by doing Atkins, decided to dramatically curb his carb intake. He has eliminated all breads, potatoes, pasta , and refined sugar from his diet, though he continues to eat fresh fruits and drink alcohol. He has lost a significant amount of weight. *However*, in these 2 months, there has been a dramatic change in his response to alcohol. He has always drank more than one "ought" to; but now suddenly I am seeing personality changes, irresponsible behavior and blackouts. He seems to drink more often, and in greater quantity. He does not discern a pattern here, and believes that he just needs to "watch it" a bit more -- but doesn't seem to be succeeding in doing that.

The coincidence of these changes seems more than accidental to me. I am aware that many alcoholics, when they stop drinking, begin craving sugar -- might the inverse be true as well? Absent his usual souces of sugar, might his body be craving or processing alcohol differently?

Does anyone have either personal experience or knowledge of empirical studies to help explain what is going on here?

Thanks for any info you can provide --
Polo

[Karen]

Yes, it can work both ways. Carbohydrate addicts and alcoholics have a lot in common. Sugar and alcohol both produce a sense of euphoria which is where the craving for one or the other comes from. This is very simplistic and there are other things at work that will make you feel the need to drink or consume carbohydrates.

Our bodies burn three sources of fuel: carbohydrates, fat and alcohol. It's easiest to burn alcohol and without carbohydrates to burn, alcohol becomes like rocket fuel so you feel the effects more quickly.

I was the reverse. I quit using alcohol as my drug of choice a long time ago and replaced it with a huge sugar addiction. Low-carbing made me aware of this and what I had to do to recover.

An excellent book on the subject is Potatoes Not Prozac by Kathleen DesMaisons. The website is here. (http://www.radiantrecovery.com/)

Hope this helps,

Karen

[Porcellino]

I am not a big drinker - we go out to a really nice dinner 2-3 times a month and I will have 1 or 2 glasses of wine. I have noticed that the wine goes right to my head lately. Last weekend, I had 2 glasses of red wine and felt drunk as well as waking up with a slight hangover, which has not happed in the past. It feels like my body is more sensitive and I have noticed a craving for wine around pms time. Polo, is he concerned at all about the blackouts? They could be really dangerous esp. if he is driving. I wish you both well.

[Arnie_g]

Alcohol was also my drug of choice and when I quit I found myself stopping at the 7-11 every night to pick up $5.00 to $10.00 worth of candy, chocolate bars, etc.

I didn't notice the reverse when I started low carbing, but at that time it had been over a decade since alcohol had touched my lips. It seems to make sense though that it would have an effect on alcohol cravings.

Arnie

[tofi]

And LCers really feel the alcohol sooner and more strongly. 1 drink seems to have the effect of 3 on me.

Polo, I am really sorry to hear of the problem your husband is having. Your first line of dealing with it should be your family doctor. If your husband won't go, then you go and talk about the changes you are seeing, and especially the blackouts.

Alcoholics Anonymous may be the best solution but if your DH won't go, then YOU should go to Al-Anon which is for families of alcoholics or people with alcohol problems. Even (or especially) if your DH can't see his own behaviour and the changes, you need to know more about how to manage your life.