Drinking alcohol is a common part of socializing in American culture, whether at restaurants, concerts, or gatherings with friends. In Texas, 11 million people reported drinking monthly from 2021 to 2022. For most, alcohol causes mild effects like flushed skin or muscle relaxation. However, if you experience severe reactions after just one drink, you may have alcohol intolerance.
At San Antonio Recovery Center, we’re proud to offer the largest alumni network in San Antonio – providing ongoing connection and support not just for those in recovery, but for those who are curious about alcohol’s effects, too.
Recognizing the signs of alcohol intolerance could be the key to understanding your body better, which is why we’re talking about that today.
Alcohol intolerance is a genetically inherited metabolic condition, similar to a gluten or lactose intolerance. It is not the same as alcohol use disorder, where people become dependent on or consume alcohol to the point of detriment. While some symptoms of alcohol intolerance mimic those of excessive use or a hangover, someone with alcohol intolerance does not become intoxicated any faster than a person without the condition. Instead, their body rejects alcohol because of its inability to break it down.
An alcohol allergy and an alcohol intolerance can look very similar, but it is important to understand how the two are fundamentally different. Both can result in flushed skin, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and difficulty breathing. Still, an alcohol allergy will typically create a more instantaneous reaction whereas an intolerance will not show symptoms until the body attempts to break alcohol down.
The biggest difference between alcohol intolerance and an alcohol allergy is the reason behind the symptoms. An alcohol intolerance is a genetic, metabolic issue that prevents the digestive system from being able to break down compounds in alcohol. An alcohol allergy, on the other hand, is an immune issue where the body attacks one or more of the ingredients in an alcoholic beverage.
If you aren’t sure whether you have an alcohol intolerance or an alcohol allergy, you have a few options. You can get a blood allergy test, which can be used to diagnose a variety of allergies. Alternatively, alcohol intolerance would not show up in an allergy test and is typically diagnosed through self-reporting symptoms and reviewing medical history with a healthcare provider.
For a more concrete answer, you may also receive an ethanol patch test, where a medical provider will apply a minimal amount of ethanol to your skin to see if you experience a severe red flush. This is one of the primary symptoms associated with alcohol intolerance.
Alcohol intolerance is a genetic issue that prevents the body from breaking down alcohol efficiently, which means it is inherited within biological families and will affect you your entire life.
Specifically, alcohol intolerance is caused by an enzyme called aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2) deficiency. This is the enzyme that breaks down the alcohol that you have consumed into a chemical known as acetaldehyde, which is less harmful to the body. However, people who have an insufficient amount of the ALDH2 enzyme in their body cannot break down alcohol effectively. This leads to the painful symptoms associated with alcohol intolerance.
Alcohol intolerance isn’t common, but it is not unheard of. Studies suggest that wine intolerance may affect as much as 7% of the population, which would make it about as common as gluten intolerance.
Experiencing a condition like alcohol intolerance may feel isolating or make you feel different from others. But it is important to remember that while an issue like alcohol intolerance may set you apart, you are not alone in this experience, and you can still lead a happy, healthy life with the right lifestyle changes.
There are numerous factors that may increase your likelihood of experiencing an alcohol intolerance. Alcohol intolerance is most common in people of Asian descent, and you may have even heard of alcohol intolerance referred to as “the Asian flush.”
This is because the condition is genetic, and the enzyme deficiency that causes alcohol intolerance occurs at higher rates in people of that genetic background. However, it is important to understand that while alcohol intolerance is more common in the Asian population, this enzyme deficiency can and does affect people of any culture.
You may be more likely to experience alcohol intolerance if you have an allergy or intolerance for ingredients that make up alcohol, such as grain. Some pre-existing conditions such as asthma or hay fever may also put you at a greater risk for alcohol intolerance.
The symptoms of alcohol intolerance, while painful, are typically mild and will go away once the alcohol has made its way through the digestive system. This means you usually do not need to seek immediate medical attention. Additionally, these symptoms will typically start within a few minutes of consuming alcohol once the body begins to try and digest it.
Symptoms of alcohol intolerance:
Many of these symptoms are also associated with an allergic reaction to alcohol. This could be a life-threatening issue requiring immediate medical attention. It is important to evaluate the severity of your symptoms. An allergy to alcohol may feel more intense.
Additionally, because of their body’s inability to break down alcohol, people with an alcohol intolerance who continue to drink regularly may be at a greater risk for complications such as:
The short answer is yes. However, continuing to drink with this condition is not recommended. Just as someone with lactose intolerance could still drink milk or eat ice cream, you could still drink alcohol, but consider that your symptoms would continue to cause you harm.
Because of these increased risks, as well as the painful symptoms of alcohol intolerance, drinking mocktails is the best way to get the experience of indulging in adult beverages without the harmful effects of alcohol.
However, if you do continue to drink alcohol, some suggestions to reduce harm include:
Being armed with information is the first step. If you believe that you have an alcohol intolerance, and you find yourself drinking excessively despite these harmful symptoms, it may be time to look into rehab for alcoholism. Here at San Antonio Recovery Center, we are experts in working with complex, dual-diagnosis conditions.
At San Antonio Recovery Center, we want to support you through recovery, no matter how long it takes. To learn more about making the first steps towards a better tomorrow today, contact us at 866-957-7885 or through our website.
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