My alcoholism has cured itself. AIBU to worry about HOW I have suddenly become intolerant?

[Tliev]

I have always had a bit of a drink problem. As far back as I can remember I could never touch a drop without getting the urge to carry on until I physically couldn't drink anymore.

At 15 I remember being on the floor of a pub toilet completely intoxicated and the pub landlord trying to get me up and out after hours.

There have been numerous occasions where I have shown myself up in front of family and friends by getting absolutely wrecked and needing help getting up/home.

Last year DH and I went to Leeds to see a band and I drank so much I fell over in the street and couldn't get up. DH and some young medical student was trying to get me up and then I was sick all over myself. I remember hearing the young lad say "has she ever been like this before??" And DH replying " errr yes, unfortunately".

Too many examples to mention.

The worst one being my wedding where I was passed out in bed by 10pm.

Anyway about 6 months ago I sat down to my usual weekly Friday binge, had my first drink and felt sick and dizzy so didn't drink anymore. I remember saying to DH "wow, Friday night and I've had one drink!"

Since then I seem to have developed an intolerance to alcohol completely. Whenever I start, I begin to feel sick and dizzy so stop. Recently we had a BBQ party and everyone was drunk - I tried and physically couldn't do it. Good job really as I ended up having to help two very intoxicated guests.

DH and I went away to York for his birthday last weekend. Normally I'd have a drink before we set off, a drink on arrival at the hotel and at least 2 during our evening meal. This time I didn't start until our evening meal and then could only manage half a pint.

So aibu to worry that something is wrong with my liver? Why would someone suddenly become intolerant to alcohol? On another point - I have been trying to stop drinking for years so surely if it was psychological, it would have happened before now? Why now all of a sudden has my body decided enough is enough?

In one way, I'm delighted that my alcoholism has been stopped without any effort from myself but on the other hand, I'm worrying it's something medical?

Your husband's not slipping you Disulfiram on the sly, is he?
Disulfiram
"Disulfiram (Antabuse) is a drug that is prescribed for treating chronic alcoholism. Well, Disulfiram never cures alcoholism, but it only adds to the supportive therapy.
Drug Class and Mechanism
Disulfiram works by blocking the oxidation of alcohol in the body. The drug is known to increase the acetaldehyde concentration in the blood. A person who has taken Disulfiram is likely to come across unpleasant reactions even if alcohol is taken in small quantities."

On Jeremy Kyle they always warn not to try to stop drinking when you're an alcoholic without professional guidance so see your GP asap. Yes, I know one shouldn't pass on medical advice from the JK show, but I thought it might be relevant.

That happened to a friend who was a lifelong alcoholic. Sadly once he'd stopped for a while his liking for drink returned and he started drinking again, until it killed him a few years later.

Go to the GP and say you'd like to get your liver and general health checked out because of a history of heavy drinking.

And try in the meantime to get used to the patterns of a life without alcohol. Stop trying it again just to see if you like it. Try to think of yourself as someone who doesn't drink any more. If that's hard, your GP can also refer you for support.

On Jeremy Kyle they always warn not to try to stop drinking when you're an alcoholic without professional guidance so see your GP asap. Yes, I know one shouldn't pass on medical advice from the JK show, but I thought it might be relevant

It's not. Stick with that first instinct: Jeremy Kyle is not a good source of advice on anything.

But, as I said before, I'm not sure the OP is an alcoholic? She sounds more like an occasional binge drinker. Passing out from over-consumption once a month is not the same thing as drinking yourself into oblivion every night.

Definitely see your GP, but don't panic that you are dying OP - it is highly unlikely to be anything very serious and anxiety is not good for your health!

I'm not medically train in anyway and only speak form the personal experience of one person I knew but they were a chronic alcoholic for years. They did eventually die of liver failure and it was horrific BUT it took about 20 years of very heavy drinking to get to that point although it was a pretty bad time health wise from about the 10 year mark. (Was a pretty bad time mentally for all involved from the start TBH)

I can't imagine it is liver failure yet but could definitely be some other underlying problem so I would suggest a fairly urgent GP appointment.

My first thought was liver damage, but I'm not a medical professional. See your GP, I think they'd take you seriously and would at least do some lover function tests. All being well, use this as your excuse to quit. Hope it all turns out ok

Lover! Obviously meant liver

I am wondering if this started after a particularly bad binge, as in the worst you ever were?

I ask because when I was in my early 20s I got ridiculously drunk one Halloween, as in unconscious should have gone to hospital drunk. After that even the smell of drink made me ill. 15 years later I can only manage 3/4 glasses of wine at most before feeling gross. If I do drink more (like at a wedding where you drink slowly all day) I don't get properly drunk, just dizzy and sick without any of the fun!

I don't know if it's psychological or whether my body just decided that enough was enough.

I don't think it can be a sign of liver failure otherwise most alcoholics would give up before they die.

I would definitely give up, you sound as though you have a serious problem with alcohol.

shovetheholly, OP says she

• has always had issues with drinking,
• has been trying and failing to stop for years,
• is unhappy with the consequences it has on her life,
• has almost no control or ability to moderate once she's started.

It's really not helpful to roll out the old 'well, you're not on a park bench, drinking litres of cider at 9am in the morning, so you're probably not an alcoholic' line. And I'm not sure why some people are assuming she hasn't been drinking heavily for long enough to do any damage -- apologies if I've missed something, but does OP actually give her age? Even if she's just twenty-five, she's been drinking heavily, to the point of blackout or collapse, for over a decade.

I do agree that you would probably experience other symptoms if there was liver failure, BUT it absolutely needs to be investigated, with a frank conversation with your GP about how much you drink and how you drink it (ie not minimizing this, as other posters have done, as just typical non-mnetter, young person partying behaviour).

Although I have to say this does remind me of the first few weeks I was pregnant and didn't realise -- I had a giddy, vertigo-type sensation whenever I tried to drink.

Lots of Alcoholics can't give up Bois

It's sounds as though you could have damaged your liver but don't worry. The liver is very forgiving and can heal itself if left alcohol free long enough.

So in a few weeks/months you can get back to your drinking.

Or maybe use some common sense and use this period to have some counselling into your alcoholism. See your GP. Get some tests and get some help and medication to keep you sober.

shovetheholly even 'occassional binge drinking' can cause health problems. The OP uses the words 'my usual weekly Friday binge', that shouldn't be minimised.
As far as alcoholism goes, there are different drinking patterns. Not all alcoholics drink every day, for example. There are also no set rules as to where liver damage occurs, it depends on the individual.
OP, I agree. You should see your GP. And take this as an opportunity to stop drinking all together, you will feel better for it.

I got jaundice as a result of a rare reaction to over the counter medication. I've never felt so ill. It felt like I was dying. Stop drinking as livers can't easily be transplanted, certainly not if you will ruin it with drinking. I hardly drink now. Go to the doctor and get your liver tested. You only get one body look after it.

Binge drinkers can still be alcoholics - you don't have to drink every day or start first thing in the morning to have an addiction. It's important not to minimise destructive drinking habits.

Your liver is probably pissed off and is giving you a warning sign. Women who drink heavily are more susceptible to developing cirrhosis than men, and it usually takes 10-20 years of problem drinking to get to this point (not always, there are notable exceptions).

Liver disease is often silent in the earlier stages. I know a man who had absolutely no idea he had cirrhosis until one day he had a massive bleed from burst varices in his oesophagus, which nearly killed him. It can sneak up on you - when people say you'd have a lot more symptoms, it's just not true.

I am not for one minute suggesting you have any form of liver disease, but blood tests are a very sensible course of action here.

Cross posted with Arum , they have covered it better than me.
I always remember watching a 28 year die of liver failure caused by alcohol abuse. It was on TV a few years ago.
It was horrible, and a waste of a human life.

shovetheholly Your advice is unbelievable. The OP clearly has a drink problem and you are trying to minimise it

OP I agree that you need to see your GP and get your liver checked out. BIL started off drinking like you and developed a complete dependency on alcohol. He now has 20% liver function and is a complete shambles. He has alcohol related dementia and SIL has a horrible life having to care for him.

I went off alcohol when I was pregnant also. However, if it's six months then that's unlikely.

noeffing, I remember a lad of 16 in the news once, who died as a result of alcoholic cirrhosis. It was utterly tragic.

I think shovetheholly is in denial PrivatePike. Binge drinking until you pass out is the thin end of the wedge. That's how BIL started off.

Private, it's also the sort of attitude that encourages people to minimise their own drinking. I'm actually quite shocked by some of the 'advice' and unsolicited medical opinions on this thread, glad to know I'm not the only one!

Binge drinking isn't alcoholism Sigh. It's this sort of attitude that can stop people seeking help

Sometimes. However it is also true. You can be a binge drinker and not be an alcoholic, and be an alcoholic and not be a binge drinker.
You can sigh all you like but pp stated a simple fact.

"You can be a binge drinker and not be an alcoholic"

But binge drinking until you pass out is not healthy. Some people don't seem to have a stop button, and that is worrying.