Effects of Alcohol after getting Sober? (scientific evidence)
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 2
Effects of Alcohol after getting Sober? (scientific evidence)
Hi,
I did not know what forum to post in but, I figured that this would be okay since it is the alcoholism forum, If this topic is moved sorry for putting it here.
Anyway, a friend of mine had to take an alcohol awareness class in college, in the class they mentioned that if you drink on one day a certain amount of alcohol, the effects will still be there in you brain for 4 weeks after getting sober.
For example:
Someone drinks on a saturday, they are sober according to their BAC and subjective feeling by sunday. But the effects of the alcohol on reaction time and other mental processes continue for about 4 weeks.
This was in a class, I am assuming this is the truth (why would they lie about this), I am looking for the scientific evidence of this. I have looked all over the web searching with no luck. I have come here to see if anyone has ever heard of this, or has evidence in research papers and such. Maybe this information will be able to help those on the forum too.
Thank you,
cas532
I did not know what forum to post in but, I figured that this would be okay since it is the alcoholism forum, If this topic is moved sorry for putting it here.
Anyway, a friend of mine had to take an alcohol awareness class in college, in the class they mentioned that if you drink on one day a certain amount of alcohol, the effects will still be there in you brain for 4 weeks after getting sober.
For example:
Someone drinks on a saturday, they are sober according to their BAC and subjective feeling by sunday. But the effects of the alcohol on reaction time and other mental processes continue for about 4 weeks.
This was in a class, I am assuming this is the truth (why would they lie about this), I am looking for the scientific evidence of this. I have looked all over the web searching with no luck. I have come here to see if anyone has ever heard of this, or has evidence in research papers and such. Maybe this information will be able to help those on the forum too.
Thank you,
cas532
Forward we go...side by side-Rest In Peace
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Serene In Dixie
Posts: 36,740
Welcome to SR....
No, I am not aware of the 4 week time line you asked about.
Did you ask the instructor or check the text book for info?
These links might help...I
...they are interesting anyway
ALCOHOL'S DAMAGING EFFECTS ON THE BRAIN
Alcohol and Brain
The Addicted Brain, the Chemistry of Need
How We Get Addicted - TIME
Hope you find whatever it is you need....
No, I am not aware of the 4 week time line you asked about.
Did you ask the instructor or check the text book for info?
These links might help...I
...they are interesting anywayALCOHOL'S DAMAGING EFFECTS ON THE BRAIN
Alcohol and Brain
The Addicted Brain, the Chemistry of Need
How We Get Addicted - TIME
Hope you find whatever it is you need....
Eating protein and life.
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Just. Plain. Grateful.
Posts: 503
I was told something similar years ago - that the alcohol effects can last up to a week (never heard about the four weeker though).
I'm guessing it's like the line that swallowing gum takes 7 years to digest - it's a scare tactic. Perhaps there is some evidence out their regarding alcohol and the duration of it's effects after elimination, not sure.
I'm guessing it's like the line that swallowing gum takes 7 years to digest - it's a scare tactic. Perhaps there is some evidence out their regarding alcohol and the duration of it's effects after elimination, not sure.
Forward we go...side by side-Rest In Peace
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Serene In Dixie
Posts: 36,740
Hmm......
Perhaps this will help...
Post Acute Withdrawl - Relapse Prevention Specialists - TLC The Living Center
I hope you will come back to share with us
if you do discover scientific facts about
a 4 weeks time line....
Perhaps this will help...
Post Acute Withdrawl - Relapse Prevention Specialists - TLC The Living Center
I hope you will come back to share with us
if you do discover scientific facts about
a 4 weeks time line....
Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 4,682
did you know that the body produces alcohol 24/7? it is called endogenous ethanol production and is about an ounce a day on average...didn't hear the brain thing though...will be interested ti hear more when you ask your friend:-)
Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: The Trenches, Texas
Posts: 778
I ran across an LCDC at an AA meeting a short time ago and he explained that alcohol can linger in and affect the brain for up to 6 months after the last drink. At this time I have no actual documentation on this, just his word. I will see what I can come up with in the way of a hard copy.
Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 679
I don't know about one time use. But it makes sense maybe...
However, read this stuff from NIDA:
The Science of Addiction - Drugs of Abuse/Related Topics - NIDA
If you are addicted a substance, any substance, it creates substantial changes in your brain chemistry. These changes take a substantial amount of time to change. I witnessed it in my own recovery. I would say stuff in my brain was changing in a noticeable way (my cognitive functioning, memory, etc) for at least 9 months. My mom stopped drinking and the same thing for her. Scientists say the brain chemistry mechanisms are changing for up to 2 years.
Your brain adapted to a repeated behavior. Now it has a different behavior— sobriety. It has to adapt to that. That adaptation does not happen over night.
However, read this stuff from NIDA:
The Science of Addiction - Drugs of Abuse/Related Topics - NIDA
If you are addicted a substance, any substance, it creates substantial changes in your brain chemistry. These changes take a substantial amount of time to change. I witnessed it in my own recovery. I would say stuff in my brain was changing in a noticeable way (my cognitive functioning, memory, etc) for at least 9 months. My mom stopped drinking and the same thing for her. Scientists say the brain chemistry mechanisms are changing for up to 2 years.
Your brain adapted to a repeated behavior. Now it has a different behavior— sobriety. It has to adapt to that. That adaptation does not happen over night.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Nashville TN
Posts: 42
Then you hit PAWS, post accute withdrawal syndrome. This is the loss of memory, stumbling, stuttering, etc as your brain tries to start making dopemine, serotonin, GABA, etc. Blah, blah, blah.....
Knowing this is OK, but the real work is solving the actual problem of why I felt the need to drink myself to death to begin with. Drugs and alcohol were not my problem, they were my weak-a** solution that stopped working long ago.
It is 50 miles into the woods, and 50 miles out. No one gets better overnight.
Knowing this is OK, but the real work is solving the actual problem of why I felt the need to drink myself to death to begin with. Drugs and alcohol were not my problem, they were my weak-a** solution that stopped working long ago.
It is 50 miles into the woods, and 50 miles out. No one gets better overnight.
Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
