Why Do People Gain Weight After Quitting Drinking?
While alcohol leads most people to gain weight, alcoholics have a different relationship with the drug than most people do. The average alcoholic gains 10 pounds when he goes into recovery.
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Compensating
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An alcoholic is used to having a drink in her hand at all times. When she quits drinking, she will look for something to do with her mouth and hands, like eating. Cigarettes and coffee are popular among alcoholics for the same reason.
More Time
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When alcoholics quit drinking, they have a lot more time in their day. Boredom can lead to mindless eating.
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Longer Meals
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Many alcoholics drink rather than eating, or rush through meals to return to drinking. A recovering alcoholic will linger at the table, consuming more calories.
Pancreatitis
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Chronic alcoholism damages the pancreas, which is responsible for insulin and blood sugar regulation. Without proper pancreas function, an alcoholic's appetite may get out of control, especially with cravings for sugary foods.
Getting Healthy
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Chronic alcoholism leads to stomach problems like gastric bleeding and ulcers, which make eating unpleasant. When an alcoholic's stomach recovers after chronic abuse, she can eat without pain again, gaining weight.
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References
- Disability Resource Directory: How to Quit Alcohol without Gaining Weight
- Alcoholism Clinical and Experimental Research: Coffee and Cigarette Consumption and Perceived Effects in Recovering Alcoholics; Reich et al; Vanderbilt University School of Medicine; 2008
- Alcoholics Info: What Health Problems Can Alcohol Cause?
Resources
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Russell James Smith
