We talk a lot at The Magdalen House about the mental benefits of recovery; and yet, alcoholism is a disease of the mind AND body. So what does that mean for those in recovery? How does recovery shape our physical health?
February is National Cancer Prevention month and with that comes the humbling fact that when we recover from alcoholism, we have made an incredible stride in fighting off not only cancers, but many other diseases as well.
… when we recover from alcoholism, we have made an incredible stride in fighting off not only cancers, but many other diseases as well.
“Your liver function tests are now normal!”
My patient had come in the year before for routine bloodwork done as part of her annual physical. We sat down later to discuss the results, which showed significantly elevated liver enzymes. She opened up to me about her struggles with alcoholism; she had never told anyone before that day and she was scared after seeing her lab results. She was able to enter rehab and came back to see me one year later, now six months sober, and with normal bloodwork. Wow, such a mind-blowing account of the resiliency of the human body.
An immense database of research clearly indicates that chronic, heavy alcohol consumption leads to damage of normal organ function in virtually every tissue of the body.
…chronic, heavy alcohol consumption leads to damage of normal organ function in virtually every tissue of the body.
In alcoholic individuals, the liver is especially vulnerable to alcohol-induced injury. After drinking stops, damaged organs may regain partial function or even heal completely, depending on the extent of organ damage and whether there is relapse (i.e., resumption of drinking). Organ damage due to heavy drinking is greatest in the liver, in part because the liver has higher levels of enzymes that catalyze the metabolism of acetaldehyde from alcohol. Alcoholism also impacts the GI tract, causing GI tract ulcerations, chronic diarrhea, and an increased risk of GI tract cancers; but studies have shown that even just a 3-week abstinence following the removal of alcohol brings about significant recovery of the gut barrier function.
Heavy alcohol intake as well can negatively impact heart function, causing elevations in heart rate and blood pressure and increasing heart damage and leading to a diagnosis of alcohol-induced dilated cardiomyopathy. In most studies, heart function returned to normal baseline just after one month of alcohol cessation!
For women, breast cancer is diagnosed in 1 in 8 women in the United States. Studies have observed a 10% increase in breast cancer risk with each 10 g per day of alcohol intake, which is considered a “standard drink.” When 1 in 8 women in the US will be diagnosed with breast cancer, a 10% increased risk is significant! Most breast cancer risks surprisingly have little to do with your family history or genetic makeup. There are several modifiable risk factors for breast cancer and eliminating alcohol consumption CAN reduce the risk of developing breast cancer.
There are several modifiable risk factors for breast cancer and eliminating alcohol consumption CAN reduce the risk of developing breast cancer.
For all the damage that alcoholism does to your physical health, it is empowering and inspiring to know that your one given body has the power to heal when you start the steps to recovery!
For all the damage that alcoholism does to your physical health, it is empowering and inspiring to know that your one given body has the power to heal when you start the steps to recovery!
Dr. Roxanne Pero joined The Magdalen House Board of Directors in 2021. She is a Louisiana native, but has called Dallas, Texas, home for the last 15 years. She is a board-certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist with expertise and specialty in Lifestyle and Functional Medicine approaches to women’s health. Alcoholism advocacy is such an integral part of her holistic approach to women’s health counseling, so she is honored to share her knowledge and gain an immensely greater amount from the staff and women who have made Maggie’s a part of their intimate lives.
Dr. Pero graduated from Louisiana State University, received her M.D. from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center of New Orleans, and subsequently completed her residency at the University of Texas at Southwestern/Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas.
