To answer your original question, I think those of us who are hypoglecemic have a problem moderating alcohol because of the need to keep the sugar going.. so in my case it didn't happen *after* drinking for many years.. it was part of the cause. Later on I discovered that after 4-5 drinks, having a dessert allowed me to stop drinking.. as it substituted for another drink. Sugar and alcoholic drinks were virtually interchangeable.. Oh, I find cheese on a tortilla or similar really helps the low blood sugar thing, as the fat slows it all down.