That’s how quickly the body heals after a wet summer

Was it a bit festive this summer?

– For some, summer can be the final straw that makes an already full cup run over, says alcohol researcher Sven Andréasson.

But most people can take control of their drinking again on their own.

Summer is the time of the year when we drink the most alcohol in Sweden, and many then border on a risky use. But does it have to be dangerous if you have indulged a little extra like this after the restrictions have been eased? Not always. For those who usually drink little, the body recovers relatively quickly after a summer with more rosé than usual (see fact box).

– But for some, summer drinking can activate an underlying tendency to continue drinking heavily. It is, for example, about those who genetically react differently to alcohol, says Sven Andréasson, adjunct professor at the Karolinska Institute and alcohol doctor at the clinic Riddargatan 1 in Stockholm.

Common warning signs are that alcohol becomes an increasingly central part of life and that thoughts more often revolve around getting to drink.

Avoid traps

– Having accidents, getting into conflicts and receiving worried comments from relatives are other warning signs, says Sven Andréasson.

A good start to change is to record your alcohol consumption.

– Write down how many glasses you have per week. Think about when and where you drink, if you drink too much with certain people, in certain places or when you are in a certain frame of mind. Map your consumption, simply, says Sven Andréasson.

In addition to avoiding the traps where you are tempted to drink, you can also think about acquiring a new, or resuming an old, hobby.

Gets fitter

Another carrot is that the body can recover after a period of drinking relatively quickly. Exactly how long it takes varies depending on individual factors and how much you drink. In general, you recover more slowly the more and longer you have been drinking.

– The first thing you usually notice is that you become more alert, happier and wake up more rested. The skin feels better, blood pressure drops and liver values ​​improve. But alcohol is toxic and affects every cell in the body, says Sven Andréasson.

White month

A white month can also be a good starting point – provided you use it as preparation for new, more moderate drinking habits. On the other hand, there is no point in taking a white month to let the liver rest and then resume regular drinking.

– Those who want to drink less usually do not want to become total sober and they hesitate to seek help at an alcohol clinic. It is still stigmatized, says Sven Andréasson.

It is also not a must. Nowadays, there are several options for those who want to deal with their problem without the involvement of an alcohol clinic.

App can help

– In the last ten years, there has been a boom in digital aids for at-risk users, says Marcus Bendtsen, senior lecturer at the Department of Health, Medicine and Care at Linköping University.

One explanation for the increase is that alcohol problems are not something people like to show off in public. Then, for example, self-help tools in the mobile can be a way to reach those who otherwise fall through the cracks.

– Many people want help to drink less, but the step of going to healthcare and asking for help is huge. For them, digital tools such as apps can be an option, says Marcus Bendtsen.

Since 2018, he has been working on a study looking at whether mobile apps can be an alternative for those who for some reason do not want to have personal contact with healthcare.

Drink less

In Marcus Bendtsen’s study, roughly 2,000 people between the ages of 18 and 82 were included. What they had in common was that they drank too much, had suffered negative consequences from drinking and that they looked for help online. Those who were lucky enough to test the app received, among other things, help with keeping track of their alcohol consumption and a toolbox with concrete tips on how to change their drinking patterns.

– Our preliminary results show that 25 percent of the users of the app drank less, says Marcus Bendtsen.

Mobile apps are also used in addiction care, often together with a breathalyzer. There are also a plethora of alcohol apps to download. However, not all are based on evidence-based methods, according to Marcus Bendtsen. As a private individual, you can simply botanize yourself in the range and decide which one suits you best.

– We hope that healthcare can eventually compile a list of evidence-based alcohol apps. Until then, you can study for yourself and look at what studies have been done on the apps.

Facts

That’s how long it takes for the body to recover from an alcohol break

Read moreFacts

Alcohol apps

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