Does Alcohol Cause Fatigue? Signs & Symptoms of Fatigue Caused by Alcohol DependenceBy Michaela

Does Alcohol Cause Fatigue?

Fatigue is one of the most commonly-reported symptoms of those that are dealing with alcohol dependence, especially for women in their late 40s, 50s and 60s. If you have frequent fatigue, you might be wondering about the ties between alcohol dependence and fatigue and more importantly, how to address them properly. If you have asked the question: Does alcohol cause fatigue, we’re going to answer that and explain the science behind that here.

In this post, we are going to cover the science behind the ties between alcohol consumption and fatigue. We’ll also cover why The Alcohol Coach approach is a great way to tackle alcohol dependence and reclaim your energy.

The Ties Between Alcohol Dependence & Fatigue

It’s no secret that alcohol consumption can lead to fatigue. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant and when you drink, it slows down your brain function. This can result in feeling tired, difficulty concentrating, and trouble sleeping.

While it may seem like only heavy drinkers or those with alcoholism experience these symptoms, even moderate drinking can cause fatigue. In fact, research shows that as little as one drink can impact your sleep quality.

Fatigue caused by alcohol consumption is different than run-of-the-mill tiredness. It can be more difficult to manage and can interfere with your daily life. If you find that your fatigue is impacting your work, relationships, or hobbies, it’s important to seek help.

Science Behind Alcohol Dependence & Fatigue

When you drink alcohol, it’s metabolized by your liver and broken down into acetaldehyde. Acetaldehyde is then further broken down into acetic acid. This process happens relatively quickly but the final step, converting acetic acid into carbon dioxide and water, takes a bit longer.

During this final stage is when fatigue from alcohol consumption is most likely to occur. As your liver is working to metabolize the alcohol, it’s not able to process other nutrients as efficiently. This can lead to a build-up of toxins in your body which can contribute to feelings of fatigue.

Another factor that plays into fatigue from alcohol consumption is dehydration. Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it causes you to urinate more frequently. This can lead to dehydration, which can then contribute to fatigue.

Signs That Your Fatigue Might Be Caused By Alcohol Dependence

There are a few key signs that your fatigue might be caused by alcohol dependence. If you experience any of the following, it’s worth considering enrolling in The Alcohol Coach to help you through it:

• You need to drink more alcohol to feel its effects
• You have withdrawal symptoms when you don’t drink
• You keep drinking even though it’s causing problems in your life
• You can’t control how much you drink
• You continue to drink despite health consequences
• You neglect work, family, or social obligations to drink

If any of these sound familiar, then it’s clear that your fatigue could be a direct cause of alcohol dependence or your relationship with alcohol.

Impacts of Alcohol Dependence and Fatigue in Your Life

As you might imagine or you may even be going through it right now, alcohol dependence and the resulting fatigue can have a major impact on your life. It can make it difficult to focus at work, enjoy time with your family, or engage in activities you love.

Additionally, alcohol dependence puts you at risk for a number of health problems. These include liver disease, high blood pressure, heart disease, and certain types of cancer.

The good news is that there are treatments available that can help you recover from alcohol dependence and improve your overall health.

Alcohol Dependence & Fatigue FAQs

Still have questions? Here are some points of clarification.

Q: I don’t drink that much alcohol. Can I still be experiencing fatigue?

A: Yes, as we mentioned earlier, even moderate drinking can lead to fatigue. If you find that your consumption is impacting your life in any negative way, it’s worth considering seeking help from The Alcohol Coach.

Q: Will I need to give up alcohol completely?

A: While some people do choose to give up alcohol altogether, it’s not a requirement of The Alcohol Coach. We’ll work with you to develop a plan that meets your unique needs and goals.

Q: I’m not sure if I’m ready to quit drinking. Can The Alcohol Coach still help me?

A: Absolutely. The Alcohol Coach is here to support you no matter where you are in your journey. We’ll help you explore your relationship with alcohol and make a plan for moving forward.

The Alcohol Coach is a Great Way to Address Alcohol Dependence

One of the best ways to address alcohol dependence and reclaim your energy is through The Alcohol Coach. The Alcohol Coach focuses on ways that can help, not limiting beliefs. Here are the key pillars of how we work.

Positivity & Self-Empowerment

One of the main reasons for the popularity of The Alcohol Coach is the focus on positivity & self-empowerment. From the very first session, you’ll start to see yourself and your relationship with alcohol in a new light. This can help set the foundation for making lasting change.

No Judgment or Labels

The Alcohol Coach doesn’t bring judgment or labels to the table. We understand that everyone’s relationship with alcohol is unique. We’ll work with you to develop a plan that meets your needs and helps you achieve your goals.

Avoids Limiting Beliefs

While many programs, including AA, focus on perpetuating limiting beliefs and the idea that you are without control in your situation, The Alcohol Coach doesn’t believe that placing limitations on your ability helps in any way.

Editor’s Note:

In this article, you might notice that we use ‘labels’ such as “alcoholic”, “disease”, and other identifiers that are used to link individuals together by their habits with alcohol. Though they are used colloquially, we believe them to perpetuate limiting beliefs.  

A key tenet of The Alcohol Coach is that the way to overcome alcohol addiction is through empowerment, not retreating into a space of powerlessness or victim status. 

So, even though we may use these terms to communicate a point as it is known by the general public, keep in mind that our core beliefs dictate that these terms be avoided as much as possible.