DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

The amount of alcohol it takes to cause health-related problems is much lower than you think, and even moderate drinking is associated with an increased risk of cancer.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Drinking one glass of wine daily puts you at moderate risk, which is linked to nearly every form of cancer, and drinking two glasses can increase your risk by about 40%.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

There's a lot of misinformation about how much alcohol is safe to drink, and many people are unaware of the actual risks involved.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

One in three people may struggle with alcohol at some point in their lives, and globally, 2.6 million people die from alcohol-related causes each year.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Alcohol impacts nearly every organ in the body, and chronic use can lead to brain damage that resembles the brain of a 90-year-old with dementia.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Trauma is a significant driver of substance use, with studies showing that 40 to 60% of addiction risk is genetic, while the other half is influenced by trauma.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Alcohol acts as an anti-anxiety and pain relief medication by activating the brain's natural painkiller system, which can lead to dependency.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Many addiction treatments fail because they don't provide the evidence and tools necessary for understanding addiction and effective recovery.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

The biggest misconception about addiction is that it's a moral failing or a matter of willpower, rather than a complex health issue that requires medical care.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Addiction is defined by continued use despite negative consequences, and it can manifest in various forms, including loss of control and compulsive behavior.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

The four C's of addiction are loss of control, compulsive use, continued use despite consequences, and craving, which help define the severity of the disorder.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

The prevalence of alcohol use disorder is significant, with around 400 million people affected globally, highlighting the need for better awareness and treatment.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated addiction issues, leading to increased rates of alcohol and drug use and related deaths.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Trauma experienced at any age can increase the risk of addiction, but earlier trauma tends to have more lasting effects due to brain development stages.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

The opposite of addiction is connection; building relationships and community is crucial for recovery and preventing substance use.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

People dealing with addiction often feel powerless and may struggle with guilt and confusion about how to help their loved ones effectively.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Those affected by addiction need science-based treatment, compassion, and a shift in societal perception to view addiction as a health issue rather than a moral failing. I think about how much time I lost with people I loved because of the tough love model, where I thought I shouldn't see them until they stopped using or drinking. You miss out on precious moments that you can't get back.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Change happens when the pain of staying the same becomes greater than the pain of making a change. However, many people endure pain repeatedly without changing, and true change often occurs when they find hope that things can improve.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

We often hear stories of people hitting rock bottom before they change, but many others remain stuck in hopelessness, which prevents them from seeking help or making changes.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Imprisonment is not an effective intervention for addiction. After release, individuals face a significantly higher risk of dying from drug-related causes, indicating that incarceration does not address the underlying issues of addiction.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

There is no safe level of alcohol consumption when it comes to breast cancer. Even drinking below low-risk limits can increase the risk of developing this type of cancer.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

If you drink alcohol, your body sees it as poison and works to eliminate it, which can lead to inflammation and other health issues over time.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Alcohol can cause cancer through various mechanisms, including inflammation and the production of toxic byproducts during its metabolism, which can damage cells over time.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

The liver processes about 90% of the alcohol consumed, making it particularly vulnerable to damage from excessive drinking, which can lead to liver disease and failure. The safest way to prevent liver damage is to avoid heavy drinking and seek medical care for early detection through blood tests and ultrasounds.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

The liver is a remarkable organ that can regenerate itself, but once significant scarring occurs, it cannot heal. This is crucial for understanding the long-term effects of alcohol on liver health.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

The normalization of binge drinking, especially among young people, has serious health consequences that are often overlooked. We need to educate ourselves about the real harms of alcohol consumption.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Obesity and diet significantly impact liver health, as the liver is involved in glucose metabolism.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Acetaminophen, commonly known as Tylenol, can cause serious liver damage when taken above a certain threshold, especially when combined with alcohol.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Moderate to high alcohol consumption tends to cause liver damage, with binge drinking being more harmful than moderate drinking over a longer period.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Alcohol affects multiple organs in the body, including the brain, where heavy use can accelerate brain shrinkage and lead to dementia-like symptoms.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Heavy alcohol use can lead to brain damage, with ethanol causing inflammation and nutritional deficiencies that accelerate deterioration.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Alcohol consumption increases the risk of cancers in the mouth, esophagus, and stomach, and can exacerbate conditions like acid reflux.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

At low risk levels, alcohol does not seem to harm the heart, but moderate to high consumption can lead to irregular heartbeats and heart failure.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

People metabolize alcohol at different rates, which can affect their hangover severity and overall health risks associated with drinking.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Rehab is often not effective for treating addiction, as it is typically viewed as a short-term fix rather than a long-term treatment for a chronic illness.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Effective treatments for alcohol use disorder include medications that block opioid receptors, reducing the rewarding effects of alcohol consumption.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Psychedelics like psilocybin have shown promising results in reducing alcohol consumption by increasing neuroplasticity and forming new brain pathways.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Stigma surrounding addiction prevents individuals from seeking help, as they fear judgment and potential consequences like losing their job or children.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

I can't always save the person in front of me or change issues around homelessness or housing policy, but I can try to work on a broader scale to make things different for the next person.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Building resilience and connection early on is crucial to prevent addiction, as these factors are deeply related to adverse childhood experiences.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

True prevention work involves breaking the cycles of intergenerational trauma, poverty, and substance use by supporting families and communities from the very start.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Rat Park experiments show that addiction is often driven by a lack of connection and community; when rats were isolated, they sought substances, but in a stimulating environment, they did not.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Addiction treatment should be widely available immediately when people need it, with compassion and effective care, similar to how other health conditions are treated.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

We need to stop punishing people who use substances, as sending them to jail sends a confusing message about addiction being a health problem.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Empathy is powerful in supporting individuals with addiction; it can often be the catalyst for change when someone feels cared for.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

The concept of enabling addiction is nuanced; love and support are generally not harmful, but it's important to recognize when to protect oneself.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Positive reinforcement of desired behaviors is a more effective motivator for change than punishment, which often leads to resistance.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Finding a personal 'why' or purpose is essential for making lasting changes in behavior, as motivation can be fleeting.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Setting specific, personalized goals based on what truly matters to you makes it easier to make changes, rather than vague recommendations. It's simpler and easier to just avoid alcohol completely or to only drink at a restaurant.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

You need to understand how your goals and purpose interact with your response to alcohol, as this will be different for everyone.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Socializing and being surrounded by people can help insulate against stress and loneliness, which often lead to alcohol use.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

If you're feeling depleted and not your best self, it's harder to make any behavior change, including reducing alcohol consumption.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Healthy habits like eating well, getting enough rest, and exercising can help you feel your best when trying to make a change.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Alcohol can feel like a way to reduce stress after a bad day, but it's important to find healthier alternatives for stress relief.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Replacing alcohol with unhealthy foods or substances can lead to other health problems, so it's crucial to find healthier alternatives.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

The misconception that alcohol is a health-promoting behavior is dangerous; no amount of alcohol is good for your health.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

The brain is plastic and can change over time, meaning that adverse childhood experiences do not determine a person's future addiction risk.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

After five years of recovery from addiction, a person's risk of developing addiction is no higher than that of the general public.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Using person-first language, such as 'person with addiction' instead of 'addict,' can help reduce stigma and promote a more humanizing view of individuals with substance use disorders.

DS

Dr. Sarah Wakeman

05/22/25

@ The Diary Of A CEO

Addiction doesn't always last a lifetime; many people manage their addiction and move on with their lives, while others actively manage it.

They Lied About Alcohol’s Effect On Your Brain! Here’s The Proof | Dr. Sarah Wakeman

Takeaways