Gray area drinking

I was recently introduced to this concept – I had never heard of it before and found it so profoundly compelling that I felt a blog article was necessary 🙂

Gray area drinking is a term that refers to ‘acceptable’ levels of alcohol consumption within a social context or within social norms, but which is actually considered high, with significant negative impact on our health.

Seven or more drinks per week is considered heavy risky drinking, with significant accumulative negative health implications.

Have you heard of the ‘Halo effect’?

It’s when you do the things you know are right for your body, mind and spirit, and in doing so you begin to exude this powerfully beautiful and enticing energy others can’t get enough of. ‘I now realise my relationship with the daily habit of alcohol was actually diminishing the glow of my halo. It was essentially stealing my joy, time, money, looks, well-being, and especially my slumber. – Meg Daly’

A few questions that can be used to ascertain whether I am a ‘gray area’ drinker:

When was the last time I had a 3-6 month break from alcohol?

How difficult would it be for me to stop drinking altogether for an extended period (30-60days)?

Do I consume an alcoholic beverage at least 4 days of the week?

Do I have regular benders?

Healthcare professionals seldom pay much or any attention to questioning/ascertaining a patients daily or weekly alcohol consumption as related to the symptoms being presented. Once alcohol consumption is identified as a causative factor in loss of health, energy and vitality, many patients report: ‘ …but nobody said anything to me about my drinking being excessive. I considered it normal as everyone around me was doing pretty much the same’

South Africa is ranked as the 4^th highest country in the world in terms of alcohol consumption per capita.

Alcohol is associated with fun, relaxation, unwinding at the end of a long day/week, taking the edge off…

It is very easy to have more than we should…both in quantity at any one time as well as in number of days per week that even one alcoholic beverage is consumed.

At the very least, alcohol consumption depletes zinc and vitamin B6 levels, and more importantly, wreaks havoc on our gut microbiome, otherwise known as our healthy gut bacteria. These healthy bacteria play a fundamental role in metabolism, mood and behaviour, control of inflammation and well as immunity within the body. Alcohol literally diminishes/kills off the healthy gut bacteria, having a profound impact on all of these systems.

Alcohol consumption is also directly connected to serotonin production, serotonin being our ‘happy hormone’. Regular alcohol consumption depletes serotonin levels, resulting in symptoms of depression and anxiety. Serotonin is converted to the hormone Melatonin at night. Melatonin is the rest, repair and sleep hormone – low Serotonin during the day means low Melatonin levels at night…diminishing the body’s capacity to adequately rest, repair and restore.

The other neuro-transmitters (brain functioning hormones) that are negatively impacted by regular alcohol consumption include GABA, Acetyl-L-Choline and Dopamine. Each of the neuro-transmitters is linked to a hormone or body system which becomes imbalanced when the hormone is affected:

GABA <> Progesterone
Serotonin <> Estrogen
Dopamine <> Cortisol and the adrenals
Acetyl-L-Choline <> Vagus nerve and parasympathetic nervous system (PNS)

Because of its impact on the liver and thus hormone balance, ‘gray area’ drinking poses a particularly high risk to peri-menopausal women especially where progesterone depletion is concerned. Peri-menopausal anxiety is commonly linked to low GABA and low progesterone…which in turn results in poor sleep. The depletion of GABA and progesterone are exacerbated by regular or excessive alcohol intake.

Ordinarily, alcohol takes up to 72 hours to leave the body. If you have been participating in a 3-6 month period of regular drinking ( at least one drink 4/5 days out of a 7 day week), PAWS or Post Acute Withdrawal Symptoms can take up to as much as two years to dissipate completely.

Biochemical, somatic, neural and energetic components of our body system are all affected by regular and/or frequent excessive alcohol intake and are thus all in need of focus, attention and repair. Staying properly hydrated, balancing hormones, taking necessary supplements and the application of the poly-vagal nerve theory are all effective interventions in addressing PAWS, or facilitating the transition to 3-6 months of zero alcohol intake.

Grayareadrinkers.com

What is the void I’m attempting to fill with alcohol consumption?

Can I achieve the same level of relaxation through:

Solitude
Connection with others
Adventure
Acupuncture
Yoga
Creative outlet
Intimacy

Because alcohol consumption ultimately causes leaky gut, the absorption of micronutrients from food and/or oral supplements is compromised post alcohol intake.

IV Vita Drip therapy is extremely effective in restoring both hydration and micronutrient depletion following a bender.

Iv Vita drip therapy:

Bypasses the gut
Is faster acting than oral supplements
Is more effective as higher concentrations of micronutrients can be administered without GIT upset
Hydrates

Book your hangover/hydration IV vita drip at www.thedripbar.co.za

Blog post written by Chantal Du Chenne, Health and Lifestyle Coach and owner/ operator of the DripBar.

BIO: Chantal is a B.Sc.Hons Allied Health with an international diploma in Nutrition and Sports Nutrition. Chantal is a passionate Gut Health advocate and works as a Lifestyle Coach, facilitating the improvement of her clients health conditions through healing leaky gut and correcting dysbiosis (imbalance) of the gut microbiome.

Over her 25 year career, Chantal has held various positions within the health and wellness industry – including 10 years as the Executive Head of Vodacom’s corporate wellness & mobile health programs. Chantal is the owner/ founder of the DripBar which offers vitamin and mineral drip therapy in improving micronutrient deficiencies. She is also the founder/owner of a Kombucha brewery which produces the brand of ‘booch’ called theFarmacy.

Chantal is a competitive cyclist, a plant strong vegan and mom to two grown up girls.

to Book your Functional health and Lifestyle coaching session: email: info@thedripbar.co.za

This blog post contains information that is not designed to take the place of,
substitute, or replace any form and method of professional or medical advice
and treatment or medicine. All content is the author’s opinion and is not
intended to diagnose and remedy. The facts and figures contained in this
document are presented solely for informational and educational purposes
only.