What'S Going On? Can'T Handle Alcohol Any More

[chiangmaibruce]

Hi Folks. And no I don't mean I get drunk fast and fall down. Over the past decade or so I just can't enjoy alcohol as I know that even after a small amount I'll get a headache (not next day ... within hours!). I have tried alternating with water but still get a headache ... have also tried some different types of beers and other drinks. I have only ever been a light social drinker, but it would be nice just to be able to have a few beers every now and then or a couple of glasses of red wine with dinner.

I have been searching online for the answer and have found MANY other people reporting exactly the same thing happening to them ... and all sorts of theories ... but no clear answers. Anyone?

[luckyluke]

Getting older.

[chiangmaibruce]

_{<bbbuuzzzz> wrong answer}

_{... i hope}

Edited May 17, 2012 by chiangmaibruce

[Jessi]

Bruce, I think it might be the chemicals that they are putting in the beer. Does the same thing happen with spirits?

[rixalex]

Have exactly the same problem. Always been prone to alcohol headaches but as i've got older, the problem has got progressively worse. The only way i get away with drinking now, is by simultaneously drinking water - and not the odd sip, big frequent gulps of the stuff. It does work, but only to a point. If i go beyond a set number of bottles (about two big ones), i'm doomed whatever i do. It's frustrating as if it wasn't for the headaches, i could drink quite a lot without the other usual hangover side effects other suffer, and without getting particularly drunk. Perhaps it's nature's way of saving me from myself!

If you have tried the drinking water thing before and it hasn't worked, it either means you didn't drink enough water, or you drank more alcohol than even water can help you with.

[Neha]

Lots of people talk about gluten sensitivity these days. This could be one of the reasons especially for beer. I have recently had the same thing with wine and some theorize that it might be due to the wine being aged in oak barrels or something. I, like you, have always been a very light social drinker. I find that hard liquors like tequila are a lot easier to have mixed with soda than other drinks. Still, I just don't enjoy alcohol anymore the way I used to at 18-21. I'm only 24 so I doubt it's "old age".

[CPH]

The symptoms can be a sign of Migraine.

[poanoi]

I feel your pain, i'm one of those reporting this curse.

I can report now that after a couple of years with embarrassingly little consumption,

i don't seem to suffer the hell any longer, but now i've been away from the party for so long that i don't even enjoy the drinking.

So my suggestion is: give it a rest, but try getting back into the race before marriage & boredom mess you up for good, perhaps try once every 3rd month

Edited May 20, 2012 by poanoi

[dddave]

Asians in particular are susceptible to "Asian Flush" as well as headaches from consuming alcohol. I get headaches from highly tannic red wine (Cabernet Sauvingion) but not from soft reds or whites.

Like caffeine and nicotine , alcohol is a poison of sorts and I think some people have highly active immune systems that overreact to perceived threats. This could be the case with you