What Are the Biggest Misconceptions About Alcohol Tolerance?
Even a drug as commonly used and legally accepted as alcohol can be largely misunderstood, and that’s especially the case when it comes to the distinction and connected nature of concepts like alcohol tolerance, dependence, and addiction. If you’re wondering the reasons why I am addicted to alcohol, it often comes down to a mix of nature and nurture: A combination of environmental things, personal history, and genetics or a family history. Still, there can be clear signs that someone might have a problem with drinking, and that can include having a high tolerance or needing to drink more to feel the same effects.
Table of contents
» How Does the Body Develop Tolerance to Alcohol?
» Is Alcohol Tolerance the Same as Dependence or Addiction?
» When Does High Tolerance Become a Warning Sign of Alcohol Use Disorder?
» Where Can I Find Support for Reducing Alcohol Use Safely?
» Key Takeaways on Alcohol Tolerance
» Resources
How Does the Body Develop Tolerance to Alcohol?
Often, people think that being able to “handle their liquor” is a badge of honor—that it somehow shows that they’re stronger or better than someone else who seems to get more intoxicated more quickly, even if they’re drinking the same amount. However, that’s not really what’s going on, and alcohol tolerance should instead be thought of as a potential warning sign of a growing alcohol problem.
So, what is alcohol tolerance? In its simplest form, it’s when someone drinks the same amount as before but feels fewer effects from drinking, or, if they start drinking more to try to feel the same thing they used to from alcohol. It happens when the person’s body begins to get used to alcohol and doesn’t become as intoxicated anymore from drinking after repeated exposure to this drug.
According to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, developing a tolerance to alcohol is something that happens primarily due to the quantity that someone drinks, not how frequently they drink. That means someone could have one or two beers or glasses of wine, even every day, and never develop a tolerance to alcohol, but someone who drinks several more drinks each time they do drink is far more likely to develop an alcohol tolerance.
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Is Alcohol Tolerance the Same as Dependence or Addiction?
One of the biggest misconceptions about alcohol tolerance is that it’s the same as alcohol dependence or addiction. While the three concepts are related, and someone is at risk of developing all three of them over time with repeated heavy drinking, they’re not identical, and it’s important to understand their distinctions if you’re trying to figure out how to help a family member with addiction or wondering if your own drinking patterns are becoming problematic.
So, what are these three different concepts?
- Alcohol Tolerance: This happens when someone’s body has become accustomed to the frequent presence of a high amount of alcohol. Essentially, they’ll need to consume more than before to achieve the same effects. While they may have been used to feeling intoxicated after a few beers, they might now need to consume twice as many beers to feel the same level of effect. Tolerance is something that can happen with virtually any substance, whether it’s an illegal drug, prescription medication, or alcohol. Over time, with heavy usage, tolerance is likely to develop.
- Alcohol Dependence: Physical dependence happens when the person isn’t just accustomed to alcohol – their body now relies on the substance to feel normal. It’s easier to understand if you think about how someone might feel about caffeine, a popular and widely used substance. If someone drinks a cup or two of coffee every morning, it won’t take long before they feel like they need it to function. Instead of being something they want to have, they require it to concentrate and not feel withdrawal symptoms, like a headache or tiredness. The same thing can happen with alcohol over time.
- Alcohol Addiction: Also known as alcohol use disorder, this is beyond a tolerance or dependence on alcohol. At this point, the person will continue using alcohol even if they know it’s bad for them or if they’d like to quit. Addiction is a chronic disease, and someone who is addicted will experience intense cravings to drink. They’ll spend an increasing amount of each day thinking about, getting, or drinking alcohol, as well as recovering from the effects of drinking, like hangovers.
When Does High Tolerance Become a Warning Sign of Alcohol Use Disorder?
A high alcohol tolerance isn’t the same as alcohol addiction, but it can be one of the big warning signs of a bigger problem. There are many potential symptoms of alcohol use disorder, including:
- Trying unsuccessfully to quit or lower the amount of alcohol they drink.
- Spending an increasing amount of time thinking about, getting, or using alcohol, or recovering from the effects of drinking.
- Powerful cravings and desires to drink.
- Struggling to keep up with responsibilities at work, home, or school.
- Isolating or no longer enjoying hobbies and social activities that were once important to the person.
- They keep drinking even though they know it’s hurting them, whether physically, mentally, socially, or in their careers or education.
- Unsafe drinking (drinking and driving, doing a dare, or dangerous stunts while drunk, etc.).
- Withdrawal symptoms start if they don’t drink, such as nausea and vomiting or shaking.
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Where Can I Find Support for Reducing Alcohol Use Safely?
If you or someone you love is struggling with problematic drinking, it’s important to know that help is available. Interventions for people struggling with addiction do work, and they can be a crucial way of getting a friend or loved one to accept that they need help and get treatment to overcome their addiction. Support groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, can also be a helpful source of support for people who are making changes to be healthier, including quitting drinking entirely.
Unfortunately, many people who are struggling with an alcohol addiction are at a high risk of experiencing severe and even potentially life-threatening withdrawal symptoms, including delirium, seizures, and more, if they suddenly quit drinking after years or decades of using alcohol.
That’s why it’s so important to make a plan to quit drinking with the help of medical professionals and addiction treatment specialists, who can assist the person with medically supervised detox that can help prevent and manage the worst of withdrawal symptoms and help the person stabilize before they work through the physical and mental aspects of addiction in a comprehensive alcohol rehab program.
Key Takeaways on Alcohol Tolerance
- Alcohol tolerance happens when someone needs to drink more to feel the same effects.
- Tolerance is most likely to occur after repeated heavy drinking, not just having one or two drinks a night.
- Tolerance is different from dependence, which is when the body starts to require alcohol to feel normal, and addiction, which happens when someone has cravings to continue drinking even though they know it’s causing them problems.
- Quitting alcohol suddenly after a long period of heavy drinking habits can lead to severe and dangerous withdrawal symptoms.
- Comprehensive alcohol use disorder treatment programs are available at rehab centers.
If you’re struggling with your drinking and don’t know what to do, WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Treatment can help. We offer comprehensive addiction treatment services, including medical detox and inpatient and outpatient alcohol addiction programs, that can help you put down the bottle once and for all. Contact us at 877-855-3470 today to begin your journey to recovery.
Resources
- National Library of Medicine – Tolerance to Alcohol: A Critical Yet Understudied Factor in Alcohol Addiction
- Mayo Clinic Press – Common Myths and Misconceptions About Alcohol Use
- WebMD – Tolerance, Physical Dependence, and Addiction Explained
- Mayo Clinic – Alcohol Use Disorder
If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.
About the Author
Jackie has been involved in the substance abuse and addiction treatment sector for over five years and this is something that she is truly eager about. She has a passion for writing and continuously works to create informative pieces that not only educate and inform the public about the disease of addiction but also provide solutions for those who struggle with drug and alcohol abuse.
