It is crucial for everyone to balance their blood sugar; however, it is especially critical for people recovering from alcohol or drug abuse to balance their blood sugar. Most alcoholics and people recovering from alcohol abuse have blood sugar problems. However, beyond that, destabilized blood sugar makes it nearly impossible to stop abusing alcohol because the cravings are just too strong.
Research indicates, 70-90% of people that abuse alcohol suffer to some degree from hypoglycemia (chronic low blood sugar) and over 90% of alcoholics are hypoglycemic or diabetic . Symptoms and effects of hypoglycemia can include dizziness, fatigue, sleep disorders, headaches, lack of ability to concentrate, depression, anxiety, light-headedness, tremors, cold sweats, heart palpitations, loss of coordination, and upset stomach. In time, the drinker’s overworked pancreas may stop producing insulin and diabetes can result.
Our body compensates, as a protective mechanism, every time our blood sugar spikes too high or too low. When we don’t eat healthy fats and protein regularly, our blood sugar drops extremely low. When we drink alcohol or eat sugary or processed, refined carbohydrates our blood sugar spikes so high that the pancreas has to protect us by releasing insulin which causes a fast drop in blood sugar also. Every time our blood sugar drops, our body craves refined carbohydrates and sugar, because they provide the quickest source of usable glucose to the body, to pump back up our blood sugar. Guess what alcohol is, in all of its forms? Refined carbohydrates. A person’s body who has abused alcohol, innately knows that alcohol is quickly absorbed into our blood stream, bypassing our digestive system and quickly spiking our blood sugar, so that’s what our body craves. As a result, having imbalanced blood sugar makes it nearly impossible to stop alcohol cravings.
Luckily, hypoglycemia and even adult onset diabetes is often reversible with dietary and lifestyle changes. Unfortunately, regulating our blood sugar and reversing hypoglycemia is not a quick fix. When over body is used to high and low blood sugar spikes, it takes a while for nutrition and lifestyle changes to take affect and for the body to not overreact every time something that is converted to sugar is consumed (fruit, grains, refined carbohydrates, starchy vegetables, sugars). After years or maybe even decades of blood sugar disregulation, don’t expect your blood sugar to balance after making changes for one week. Give it some time, be patient with yourself and you will be happy that you did.
Victoria Bresee, owner of Technologies of the Self, and I gave a presentation tonight at a Moderation Management meeting in Denver. It was great to have the opportunity to present with Victoria, who is such an accomplished hypnotherapist and brain nutrition specialist.
3/9/2015 update: Given questions in the comments, I’ve realized that others may benefit too from other related articles and reading. For more information check these out:
For articles supporting you to balance your blood sugar read these:
“One simple step to end your 3pm energy slump and sugar cravings”
“It’s all about balance… Blood sugar that is”
For articles on kicking your sugar addiction (which will support you to balance your blood sugar), visit these:
“Kick the crack (aka sugar) addiction” video
“Are your sugar cravings ‘all in your head‘”
“Want cake? Got sugar cravings? Listen to this…” audio
For more information about the connection between blood sugar imbalance and alcoholism:
↵ Drug-Induced Glucose Alterations Part 1: Drug-Induced Hypoglycemia:http://spectrum.diabetesjournals.org/content/24/3/171.full
↵ Field JB, Williams HE, Mortimore GE: Studies on the mechanism of ethanol-induced hypoglycemia. J Clin Invest 42:497–506, 1962
↵ ALCOHOL HYPOGLYCEMIA. I. CARBOHYDRATE METABOLISM OF PATIENTS WITH CLINICAL ALCOHOL HYPOGLYCEMIA AND THE EXPERIMENTAL REPRODUCTION OF THE SYNDROME WITH PURE ETHANOL: http://www.jci.org/articles/view/104797
↵ Alcohol Intake Impairs Glucose Counterregulation During Acute Insulin-Induced Hypoglycemia in IDDM Patients: Evidence for a Critical Role of Free Fatty Acids: http://diabetes.diabetesjournals.org/content/42/11/1626
↵ Challenges of Type 2 Diabetes in Patients With Alcohol Dependence:http://clinical.diabetesjournals.org/content/30/3/120.full
↵ Carlsson N, Hammar V, Grill V: Alcohol consumption and type 2 diabetes. Diabetologia 48:1051–1054, 2005
↵ McMonagle J, Felig P: Effect of ethanol ingestion on glucose tolerance and insulin secretion in normal and diabetic subjects. Metabolism 24:625–632, 1975
↵ Howard A, Arnsten J, Gourevitch M: Effect of alcohol consumption on diabetes mellitus. Ann Intern Med 140:211–224, 2004
↵ Paulson Q, Hong J, Holcomb V, Nunez N: Effects of body weight and alcohol consumption on insulin sensitivity. Nutr J 9:1–14, 2010
↵ Christiansen C, Thomsen C, Rasmussen O, Glerup H, Berthelsen J, Hansen C, Orskov H, Hermansen K: Acute effects of graded alcohol intake on glucose, insulin and free fatty acid levels in non-insulin-dependent diabetic subjects. Eur J Nutr 47:648–652, 1993
↵ Christiansen C, Thomsen C, Rasmussen O, Hauersley C, Balle M, Hansen C, Hermansen K: Effect of alcohol on glucose, insulin, free fatty acid and triacylglycerol responses to a light meal in non-insulin-dependent diabetic subjects. Br J Nutr 71:449–454, 1994
↵ Burge MR, Zeise TM, Sobhy TA, Rassam AG, Schade DS: Low-dose ethanol predisposes elderly fasted patients with type 2 diabetes to sulfonylurea induced low blood glucose. Diabetes Care 22:2037–2043, 1999
↵ Koivisto VA, Tulokas S, Joivonen M, Happa E, Pelkonen R: Alcohol with a meal has no adverse effects on postprandial glucose homeostasis in diabetic patients. Diabetes Care 16:1612–1614, 1993
↵ Walsh CH, O’Sullivan DJ: Effect of moderate alcohol intake on control of diabetes. Diabetes 23:440–442, 1974
↵ Lao B, Czyzyk A, Szutowski M, Szczepanik Z: Alcohol tolerance in patients with non-insulin-dependent (type 2) diabetes treated with sulphonylurea derivatives. Arzneimittelforschung 44:727–734, 1994
↵ Moss SE, Klein R, Klein BE: The association of alcohol consumption with the incidence and progression of diabetic retinopathy. Ophthalmology 101:1962–1968, 1994
↵ Young RJ, McCulloch DK, Prescott RJ, Clarke BF: Alcohol: another risk factor for diabetic retinopathy? BMJ (Clin Res Ed) 288:1035–1037, 1984
↵ Van De Wiel A: Diabetes mellitus and alcohol. Diabetes Metab Res Rev 20:263–267, 2004
↵ Kiechl S, Willeit J, Poewe W, Egger G, Oberhollenzer F, Muggeo M, Bonora E: Insulin sensitivity and regular alcohol consumption: large, prospective, cross-sectional population study. BMJ 313:1040–1044, 1996
↵ Avogaro A, Beltramello P, Gnudi L, Maran A, Valerio A, Miola M, Marin N, Crepaldi C, Confortin L, Costa F, Macdonald I, Tiengo A: Alcohol intake impairs glucose counterregulation during acute insulin-induced hypoglycemia in IDDM patients: evidence for a critical role of free fatty acids. Diabetes 11:1626–1634, 1993
↵ Kerr D, Cheyne E, Thomas P, Sherwin R: Influence of acute alcohol ingestion on the hormonal response to modest hypoglycemia in patients with type 1 diabetes. Diabet Med 24:312–316, 2007
Where did you get that statistic about 90% of people with alcohol problems being hypoglycemic?
The reason i ask is because I am one of them, and I would like to read as much as possible about it.
I’m so glad that you commented. I’m embarrassed that I didn’t link to the research cited in the article. I’m going through my research to uncover what I initially cited. James Milam in the book Under the Influence, 1981 was one of the first researchers to draw a strong connection between alcoholism and hypoglycemia. He actually found that over 95% of alcoholics are hypoglycemic! As a hypoglycemic experiences that drop in blood sugar, the brain goes into self-protection mode and the person craves alcohol to quickly boost back up the blood sugar. Alcohol is an even faster way to raise back up blood sugar than sugar in desserts or refined carbohydrates because alcohol goes straight to the blood, bypassing digestion and all alcohol comes initially from grains or fruits processed to the point of being very high in sugars. This is why it is essential for folks trying to stop their addiction to alcohol to first work on blood sugar regulation since a drop in blood sugar will result in cravings for alcohol.
You also might be interested to read the research of the addiction researcher, Forrest Tennant, MD, who calls alcohol the ultimate carbohydrate drug and that alcohol and cocaine, even more than high carbohydrate food trigger brain chemical releases creating an even stronger addictive effect than refined carb foods. Over time, in order to get that same biochemical brain release, the body must consume more alcohol and/or more sugars and refined carbohydrates.
For blood sugar regulation, I would suggest supplementing with l-glutamine: https://www.nourishedhealth.com/kick-the-crack/ and follow this breakfast tip: https://www.nourishedhealth.com/end-3pm-slump-cravings/. Also consider supplementing with chromium which helps balance blood sugar. Eat every 3 hours during the day so 3 meals and 2-3 snacks a day with each containing protein and fat.
Other research that you will find useful include:
↵ Drug-Induced Glucose Alterations Part 1: Drug-Induced Hypoglycemia: http://spectrum.diabetesjournals.org/content/24/3/171.full
↵ Field JB, Williams HE, Mortimore GE: Studies on the mechanism of ethanol-induced hypoglycemia. J Clin Invest 42:497–506, 1962
↵ ALCOHOL HYPOGLYCEMIA. I. CARBOHYDRATE METABOLISM OF PATIENTS WITH CLINICAL ALCOHOL HYPOGLYCEMIA AND THE EXPERIMENTAL REPRODUCTION OF THE SYNDROME WITH PURE ETHANOL: http://www.jci.org/articles/view/104797
↵ Alcohol Intake Impairs Glucose Counterregulation During Acute Insulin-Induced Hypoglycemia in IDDM Patients: Evidence for a Critical Role of Free Fatty Acids: http://diabetes.diabetesjournals.org/content/42/11/1626
↵ Challenges of Type 2 Diabetes in Patients With Alcohol Dependence: http://clinical.diabetesjournals.org/content/30/3/120.full
↵ Carlsson N, Hammar V, Grill V: Alcohol consumption and type 2 diabetes. Diabetologia 48:1051–1054, 2005
↵ McMonagle J, Felig P: Effect of ethanol ingestion on glucose tolerance and insulin secretion in normal and diabetic subjects. Metabolism 24:625–632, 1975
↵ Howard A, Arnsten J, Gourevitch M: Effect of alcohol consumption on diabetes mellitus. Ann Intern Med 140:211–224, 2004
↵ Paulson Q, Hong J, Holcomb V, Nunez N: Effects of body weight and alcohol consumption on insulin sensitivity. Nutr J 9:1–14, 2010
↵ Christiansen C, Thomsen C, Rasmussen O, Glerup H, Berthelsen J, Hansen C, Orskov H, Hermansen K: Acute effects of graded alcohol intake on glucose, insulin and free fatty acid levels in non-insulin-dependent diabetic subjects. Eur J Nutr 47:648–652, 1993
↵ Christiansen C, Thomsen C, Rasmussen O, Hauersley C, Balle M, Hansen C, Hermansen K: Effect of alcohol on glucose, insulin, free fatty acid and triacylglycerol responses to a light meal in non-insulin-dependent diabetic subjects. Br J Nutr 71:449–454, 1994
↵ Burge MR, Zeise TM, Sobhy TA, Rassam AG, Schade DS: Low-dose ethanol predisposes elderly fasted patients with type 2 diabetes to sulfonylurea induced low blood glucose. Diabetes Care 22:2037–2043, 1999
↵ Koivisto VA, Tulokas S, Joivonen M, Happa E, Pelkonen R: Alcohol with a meal has no adverse effects on postprandial glucose homeostasis in diabetic patients. Diabetes Care 16:1612–1614, 1993
↵ Walsh CH, O’Sullivan DJ: Effect of moderate alcohol intake on control of diabetes. Diabetes 23:440–442, 1974
↵ Lao B, Czyzyk A, Szutowski M, Szczepanik Z: Alcohol tolerance in patients with non-insulin-dependent (type 2) diabetes treated with sulphonylurea derivatives. Arzneimittelforschung 44:727–734, 1994
↵ Moss SE, Klein R, Klein BE: The association of alcohol consumption with the incidence and progression of diabetic retinopathy. Ophthalmology 101:1962–1968, 1994
↵ Young RJ, McCulloch DK, Prescott RJ, Clarke BF: Alcohol: another risk factor for diabetic retinopathy? BMJ (Clin Res Ed) 288:1035–1037, 1984
↵ Van De Wiel A: Diabetes mellitus and alcohol. Diabetes Metab Res Rev 20:263–267, 2004
↵ Kiechl S, Willeit J, Poewe W, Egger G, Oberhollenzer F, Muggeo M, Bonora E: Insulin sensitivity and regular alcohol consumption: large, prospective, cross-sectional population study. BMJ 313:1040–1044, 1996
↵ Avogaro A, Beltramello P, Gnudi L, Maran A, Valerio A, Miola M, Marin N, Crepaldi C, Confortin L, Costa F, Macdonald I, Tiengo A: Alcohol intake impairs glucose counterregulation during acute insulin-induced hypoglycemia in IDDM patients: evidence for a critical role of free fatty acids. Diabetes 11:1626–1634, 1993
↵ Kerr D, Cheyne E, Thomas P, Sherwin R: Influence of acute alcohol ingestion on the hormonal response to modest hypoglycemia in patients with type 1 diabetes. Diabet Med 24:312–316, 2007
Katie Bauer recently posted..You Must Judge a Book By Its Cover: Why Being Judgmental is Critical to Your Health
As a recovering alcoholic, I can vouch for the hypoglycemia episodes. What has helped more than anything has been a supplemnent called Pgx. It is commonly used in diabetic and diet circles as a blood sugar stabilizer. For the diabetic, it keeps sugars in range. For the dieters, it keeps sugars in range, with weight loss as a result. You take 2-6 caps with each meal and thats it. drink plenty of water too.As my body was healing, I was also trying to lose my last 10 lbs. it was nearly impossible with the wild fluctuations in bs. This has been a tremendous help with both problems….
Thanks so much Kathy for sharing! I’m not familiar with Pgx and will look into it. I’m glad to hear you found something that worked for you.
Katie Bauer recently posted..You Must Judge a Book By Its Cover: Why Being Judgmental is Critical to Your Health
If you have alcohol poisoning, can it last into the next day?
How do I know?
Adriana recently posted..Adriana
Go to the ER.
Katie Bauer recently posted..You Must Judge a Book By Its Cover: Why Being Judgmental is Critical to Your Health
Hi Katie. Nice article there. This will make people know that being alcoholic will also result to another disease. I don’t know if this will stop them from abusing alcohol though. But I hope!
Thanks Jason! I think you misunderstood the purpose of the article. I think that most people would not stop abusing alcohol as to avoid developing diabetes. However, the purpose of this article is to suggest that those who are trying to stop abusing alcohol already (for whatever reason) include balancing their blood sugar in their method of change to make it easier and to be more successful.
Katie Bauer recently posted..You Must Judge a Book By Its Cover: Why Being Judgmental is Critical to Your Health
Hi Katie , Your spot on with your post i have been looking into this for a couple of years now and have recently started to adapt my lifestyle to accommodate these principle. Im 35 years old 5 years into my recovery from
alcoholism. AA has helped me rebuild the emotional and nourish the spiritual aspect of my life of which im entirely grateful, but falls short on the physical (Bio-Chemical) aspects of the illness despite the fact that our AA co-founder Bill W suffered 25 years depressed in sobriety. A little known fact in modern times is that he found a cure for the physical/mental aspect of the illness by means of diet adjust to prevent hypoglycemia and the use of
cont….
vitamins namely Niacin ( Vitamin B-3) which he discovered in the sixties re-leaved his depression and anxiety and he spent the last decade of his life promoting this unsuccessfully to my despair. Im not sure if you are aware of Joan Mathews larson author of “Seven Weeks to Sobriety” if not check her out . Here is a link to a blog that contains documents pertaining to the communications between Bill W and AA physicians who are both Alcoholic and non-alcoholic independent professionals and University researchers .
http://vitaminb-3therapy.blogspot.co.uk/
Lets get the word out enough people are dying from this Afflition.
Best Wishes Phil T
Thank you so much Phil for sharing your story and getting the information out there. I apologize for such a late response to your comment, but I unfortunately missed seeing it until now! That’s great to know about Niacin and I will definitely look into Joan Mathews Larson and the website you sent. Thanks! I appreciate your passion around this.
Katie Bauer recently posted..Are Your Sugar Cravings all “in Your Head”?
Hi,
I suffer depression and have drank between 2 glasses and half a bottle of wine every day for the past 9 years. Does that make me an alcoholic who could end up with this sugar problems?
Thanks
Kelly, I am not qualified to make any diagnosis regarding alcoholism. That said, anyone that drinks often is also having their blood sugar spike when they drink and when our blood sugar drops we unconsciously crave sugars to bring it back up to a healthy level. Alcohol is the fastest way to bring it back up so often the craving is for alcohol. Unfortunately, alcohol spikes our blood sugar up too high which causes our body to release insulin to knock the glucose down to safe levels, but it knocks too much glucose out causing low blood sugar and causing the sugar cravings again (and alcohol cravings again) as a result. Hence the cycle…. You may want to have your glucose levels tested to determine whether your blood sugar is in safe ranges or whether you have imbalanced blood sugar (which is contributing to sugar and alcohol cravings). I like to see glucose be between 85-99. Also, if you find that you have 3-4pm energy slumps and sugars/alcohol/caffeine cravings at that time, you are likely dealing with blood sugar imbalance. If that does resonate with your experience, you may want to read this next: https://www.nourishedhealth.com/end-3pm-slump-cravings/
Katie Bauer recently posted..Are Your Sugar Cravings all “in Your Head”?
Thank you so much for this post! I have been trying to control my drinking for about a year now and, despite taking lots of thiamine, I can’t shake the feeling of being dizzy, foggy-headed and sluggish all of the time, especially about 3-4 hours after I eat. I’ve never been the type to eat a lot of sweets, but I find myself craving something (cookies!) every day in the afternoons, a craving that usually leads me to drink as well. And boy, do I have a hard time eating breakfast! Anyway, this shed a lot of light for me. Thank you!
One question though: how long does it usually take for blood sugar to stabilize if eating right and taking a supplement like l-glutamine?
Hi Tanya,
Thanks so much for sharing your experience. Craving sugar in the afternoons or having an energy drop around 3-4pm (assuming a “normal” sleep schedule) is the biggest indicator of blood sugar imbalance. In this article, I share the most important key to getting your blood sugar balanced: https://www.nourishedhealth.com/end-3pm-slump-cravings/.
Unfortunately, there is no set rule for how long it will take to stabilize your blood sugar. It completely depends on your body and how imbalanced your blood sugar is. You may want to get your glucose tested so that you can monitor how you are doing with the changes you are making with diet and supplementation so that you can track your own success. The ideal range for fasting glucose is between 85-99 mg/dL. If your blood sugar is lower than 65 you are leaning more toward potential hypoglycemia. If your blood sugar is between 65-85 you are leaning more toward reactive hypoglycemia which will be easier and faster to get under control with dietary changes and supplementation than hypoglycemia. If you are between 100-127 you are leaning more toward insulin resistance which will take longer to resolve than hypoglycemia and at over 127 you are leaning more toward diabetes which is the most challenging. All of that said, I cannot attribute a time period. Whether you test or not, and wherever you fall on the blood sugar spectrum, you need to constantly be working toward improvement and know that it will not be a quick fix. The easiest way to know that you are on the right track is to look at your 3-4pm energy level and sugar cravings. You are on the right track as those cravings desist and energy stays more stable.
Yes, most likely being dizzy, foggy-headed and sluggish 3-4 hours after eating is indicating that your blood sugar is dropping. If that was happening sooner, I would think it may be food sensitivity/allergy reaction, but it is happening right around when you should be eating again. Make sure you are eating every 3 hours a meal with protein and fat, set an alarm on your phone if you need to. And eat a very small bit of protein and fat right before bed — e.g. a tablespoon of almond butter or a hard boiled egg or the like to support blood sugar stabilization while you are sleeping.
As far as supplementation with l-glutamine goes–I assume you watched my video on that here: https://www.nourishedhealth.com/kick-the-crack/. Know that this is a way to trick the body into not having the sugar (and alcohol) cravings–thinking it already consumed glucose, but is not as important as nutrients like B vitamins and chromium for stabilizing blood sugar. What other nutrients you need is dependent on what your actual blood test results of glucose indicates for where you are on the spectrum of blood sugar imbalance.
I’ve went ahead and linked to other articles related to sugar and blood sugar in the article as a result of your comment. Thanks!
Katie Bauer recently posted..Want Cake? Got Sugar Cravings? Listen to this…
Thank you for the quick reply and the additional info! I’ve been giving it a try without the glutamine so far and can notice slight improvements in my physical and mental energy already 🙂 keep up the great blog!
That’s fantastic Tanya! Congrats and thanks for coming back to share that you are already seeing improvements in your energy! As your blood sugar balances and energy continues to improve, your cravings for alcohol should also decrease. And as you start actually craving breakfast and having an easier time eating breakfast that is protein-rich within an hour of waking, you will know your blood sugar is also balancing. Congrats on taking such active steps to improve your health and change your relationship to alcohol! What you are doing is so challenging and to do it and be caring about yourself in this way is huge! Way to go!
Katie Bauer recently posted..Sugar Free Meyer Lemon Bars
heyy!!
indeed a very nice share..
I really like your blog and also everyone’s comment plus their experiences…
Alcohol is much more like a chemical hand grenade in that it affects just about all parts of the brain and all neurotransmitter systems.
One of the best blog I ever have read and agree entirely..
This is the best guide for the people who are really suffering form this problem
thank you so much for this share..
God bless
Thanks Natalie! Yes! I completely agree that alcohol has a huge effect on our brains and can throw off our neurotransmitters. Thanks for sharing and your kind words!
Katie Bauer recently posted..Sugar-Free Coconut Peppermint Patties (I mean Peppermint Paddies)
Some people find it helpful to attend therapy for years after getting clean, while others may not want to continue treatment long-term. How Long Does Treatment Take? how long does alcohol stay in urine
Very true Julie!
Katie Bauer recently posted..Sugar-Free Coconut Peppermint Patties (I mean Peppermint Paddies)
Wonderful article, very informative and precise. I hope I have read this much earlier, anyways would you mind if I share this post to my colleagues? I would be grateful if you agree. Thanks!
Hi Shirley, sorry for the delay in my response and yes, please share with anyone that you think may find it interesting or helpful!
Katie Bauer recently posted..Easiest “no brainer” way to boost energy, mood & brain health? Drink more water!
You said right Blood sugar also rises due to the increasing use of alcohol. 70-90 percent of people that abuse alcohol suffer to some degree from hypoglycemia (chronic low blood sugar) and over 90% of alcoholics are hypoglycemic or diabetic
So true! Hence the reason why balancing our blood sugar to break the reliance to alcohol is so important! Thanks so much for commenting and sharing your knowledge Rick!
Katie Bauer recently posted..How to Take Back Control: What I’m Doing to Stay Healthy During this Time of Uncertainty That You Can Do Too
Hi Katie. I am really happy to say it’s an interesting post to read. I learn new information from your article about the alcohol abuse recovery, you are doing a great job. Keep it up. Nice article there. This will make people know that being alcoholic will also result in another disease. hope for good may be this small effort to create a big change.
Hey Katie,
first thanks for providing us with this extensive useful information
I view this article as especially carefully formed, and it truly conveys the meaning of its central subject. It includes the importance of staying aware of control over glucose levels and the way to recover from substance abuse. It discusses the relationship between alcohol or ongoing medication use and glucose instability and uncovers an understanding of refined starches, alcohol, and glucose rules. The article explains the body’s guarded frameworks when considering alcohol and glucose instabilities. In addition, it underlines the necessity for tirelessness and time while keeping an eye on hypoglycemia and the possibility of exchanging grown-ups starting diabetes