Why Most Functional Medicine Practitioners Say No to Alcohol: An In-Depth Look for an Australian Audience

Functional medicine January 28, 2025
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What we’ll cover
  1. What Is Alcohol and How Is It Made?
  2. Why Is Alcohol Addictive?
  3. What Does Alcohol Do to Your Brain and Body?
  4. How Alcohol Affects Australians
  5. Functional Medicine’s Perspective on Alcohol
  6. Practical Strategies to Reduce or Eliminate Alcohol
  7. Final Thoughts

Whether celebrating a milestone or coping with emotional challenges, alcohol has been a fixture in human culture for millennia. Securing a promotion? Pop a bottle of champagne. Feeling down after a breakup? Reach for a drink. Alcohol serves as both a celebratory indulgence and an emotional crutch. However, its aftereffects extend far beyond its fleeting pleasures, impacting your mood, hormones, immune system, liver, brain, and cardiovascular system for much longer than the buzz lasts.

While enjoying an occasional drink in a social or cultural context is often viewed as harmless, the adage “the dose makes the poison” is especially true when it comes to alcohol consumption. Let’s delve into why functional medicine practitioners advocate for minimal or no alcohol use.


What Is Alcohol and How Is It Made?

Alcohol, or ethanol, is a psychoactive substance created through the fermentation of yeast, sugars, and starches. It’s the main component in beer, wine, and spirits. Alcohol impacts nearly every organ in the body, with its intensity dependent on the type, quantity, and frequency of consumption.

Here’s a breakdown of standard drink sizes in Australia:

  • Beer (4.8% alcohol): 375 mL
  • Wine (13% alcohol): 150 mL
  • Spirits (40% alcohol): 30 mL

A standard drink in Australia contains 10 grams of pure alcohol, a metric used to help Australians track their intake.


Why Is Alcohol Addictive?

Alcohol’s addictive nature stems from its profound effects on the brain. It influences over 100 unique receptors, impacting neurotransmitters, mood, and decision-making processes. Initially, alcohol acts as a stimulant, increasing norepinephrine—a neurotransmitter linked to arousal, pleasure, and impulsivity. However, as drinking continues, alcohol takes on a sedative role.

This dual action primes the brain for addiction. Alcohol triggers dopamine release in the brain’s reward centre, creating the euphoric “buzz” that encourages repetitive use. Over time, this dopamine surge reinforces drinking behavior, fostering dependence.


What Does Alcohol Do to Your Brain and Body?

1. Brain Health

  • Memory Impairment: Alcohol impacts the hippocampus, which is crucial for memory formation, often causing blackouts or memory gaps.
  • Brain Shrinkage: Studies from the University of Oxford reveal that drinking just one alcoholic beverage per day can reduce brain volume over time. Moderate drinkers are three times more likely to experience hippocampal shrinkage compared to non-drinkers.
  • Cognitive Decline: Alcohol dampens activity in the prefrontal cortex, impairing rational thought and decision-making.

2. Cardiovascular System

  • High Blood Pressure: Alcohol can increase blood pressure, leading to long-term cardiovascular strain.
  • Arrhythmias: Excessive drinking can trigger irregular heart rhythms, increasing the risk of complications.

3. Liver Health

Alcohol is metabolised primarily in the liver, where excessive consumption can lead to:

  • Fatty liver disease
  • Alcoholic hepatitis
  • Fibrosis and cirrhosis

4. Immune System

Heavy drinking weakens the immune system, disrupting gut barrier function and reducing the body’s ability to fight infections.

5. Sleep Quality

Though alcohol may initially help you fall asleep, it disrupts restorative REM sleep, impairing memory consolidation and leaving you fatigued.

6. Cancer Risk

Long-term alcohol use is strongly linked to cancers of the liver, breast, colon, esophagus, and throat. The risk is cumulative, increasing with each additional drink.


How Alcohol Affects Australians

In Australia, alcohol consumption is a deeply ingrained cultural norm. However, excessive drinking is a public health concern. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), nearly one in six Australians exceed the recommended alcohol guidelines. This has led to significant health burdens, including increased rates of liver disease, mental health disorders, and alcohol-related cancers.


Functional Medicine’s Perspective on Alcohol

Functional medicine views alcohol as a disruptor of systemic balance. It depletes essential nutrients, including:

  • Thiamine (B1): Alcohol inhibits absorption, increasing the risk of nerve damage and cognitive decline.
  • Folate (B9) and B12: Deficiencies contribute to anemia and impaired DNA repair.
  • Vitamin C: Critical for glutathione production, the liver’s main antioxidant.

Alcohol also disrupts the gut microbiome, impairing digestion and nutrient absorption. For Australians with chronic health conditions, alcohol exacerbates inflammation, oxidative stress, and hormonal imbalances.


Practical Strategies to Reduce or Eliminate Alcohol

1. Set Boundaries

  • Limit drinking to special occasions.
  • Set a maximum number of drinks per week.

2. Stay Hydrated

Alternate alcoholic beverages with water to minimise dehydration.

3. Plan Alcohol-Free Activities

  • Explore local activities, such as hiking in the Blue Mountains or paddleboarding on the Gold Coast.
  • Organise a mocktail night with friends. Popular Australian mocktails include Virgin Mojitos and Lychee Lime Spritzers.

4. Choose Alternatives

The rise of non-alcoholic beers and wines in Australia offers a great way to socialise without compromising your health.

5. Seek Support

If reducing alcohol is challenging, reach out to resources like:

  • Alcohol and Drug Foundation Australia
  • Hello Sunday Morning (an Australian platform for mindful drinking)
  • Smart Recovery Australia

Final Thoughts

While occasional drinking may fit into a balanced lifestyle, the risks of alcohol often outweigh its benefits, especially when consumed excessively. Functional medicine practitioners recommend evaluating your relationship with alcohol and prioritising your long-term health.

If you’re sober-curious or considering reducing your alcohol intake, start small. Make mindful choices, seek support, and embrace the benefits of an alcohol-free or reduced-alcohol lifestyle. Your brain, body, and future self will thank you.