Sheen admits to Still Drinking
Charlie Sheen being HIV positive is not exactly earth shattering news. No one seems as focused on the most important part of the story: that this well known alcoholic/addict, despite his HIV diagnosis, is still drinking.
Alcohol is a Drug
This morning (Nov 17, 2015) The Today Show featured an interview with Charlie Sheen by Matt Lauer. After Sheen’s announcing his news that he was diagnosed HIV positive four years ago, Matt eventually asked a couple direct questions pertaining to Charlie’s substance abuse.
Matt Lauer: “Are you still doing drugs?
Charlie Sheen: “No, I’m not.”
Matt: Are you still drinking?
Charlie: “I’m still drinking a little bit, yeah.”
For whatever reasons, people still tend to separate alcohol abuse and drug abuse, creating the dangerous illusion of a distinction in the mind of an addict. When it comes to addiction, alcohol is a drug. Drug addicts are wise to abstain from alcohol as well as other drugs. Yet due to the societal influences which create the distinction, drinking too often slips into a gray territory so easily manipulated by the drug addict.
Alcoholics Drinking “A Little Bit”
Speaking from the world of addiction recovery, those on the other side of the illness would argue the reply to Matt Lauer’s question “Are you still drinking” requires a one word answer: yes or no. Adding the “a little bit” only points to the attempt to defend the behavior, as if to justify it is okay based on the quantity. In truth, that is the slippery slope of addiction. The mental obsession leads the untreated addict to justify “a little bit.” That “little bit”, however little, opens the door to the physical aspect of the addiction which entails the compulsion for more.
Imagine if Matt were to ask Charlie “Are you still having unprotected sex with prostitutes” and his reply were to be “A little bit, yeah.” Risky behavior is risky behavior. The point is, that a self-admitted drug addict who is still engaging in drinking is an active addict, regardless of how they may present in the moment. It’s a game of Russian Roulette - it’s a matter of when, not if, someone will get hurt.
“The idea that somehow, someday he will control and enjoy his drinking is the great obsession of every abnormal drinker. The persistence of this illusion is astonishing. Many pursue it into the gates of insanity or death.” -Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 30.
Against Doctor’s Orders?
Sheen’s doctor explained to Lauer that his “biggest concern with Charlie as a patient is his substance abuse….. more than what the HIV virus could do in terms of shortening his life.”
Let’s take a rational look at whether or not Charlie Sheen, as the example here, should be drinking. If you’re an alcoholic, it’s not a healthy choice to drink. If you’re not an alcoholic, not drinking shouldn’t be an issue for you, right? If you can take it or leave it, go ahead and leave it if your doctors suggest that. Charlie’s doctors are very concerned about his substance abuse history and the fact that his health with HIV diagnosis relies on his ability to take consistent actions daily.
If Charlie drinks a little, and a little eventually leads to more, and he goes on a bender… not only are we talking about his behavior putting himself at risk for his HIV viral load to increase, but his recklessness would likely extend to harming others as well.
Leading by Example
A little later in the interview, Matt goes on to say, “A lot of people might say: ‘Charlie, you should stop drinking; you say you’ve stopped doing drugs- you need to stop drinking as well.’”
Charlie: “Well, perhaps the freedom of today might lead to that as well.”
We can only hope that to be true. As the saying goes, “you’re as sick as your secrets”. Only Charlie himself knows his true motivation for coming out with this information, whether entirely just to put an end to the “shakedowns” resulting from his shady encounters, or to genuinely come clean and make a fresh start.
Sheen claims that he will continue to speak to raise awareness about HIV. While that is an admirable intention, that fact is that speaking as a still-drinking addict with HIV, Charlie may be doing more harm than good.
Two new studies in the British Medical Journal report research that suggests even a small amount of daily drinking (as little as a third or half a drink a day!) plus obesity increases the risk of liver disease in men and women.
Drinking + Obesity = Double Trouble for your Liver
So you’ve put down the drink. Maybe it’s been a matter of days, or years. Either way, that is awesome. Just by stopping the daily or binge drinking episodes, you have already decreased your risk for liver disease. Let’s take it a step further. Now that you are sober, have you ever given your liver some support, via healthy dietary changes and/or nutritional supplementation? If not, you can read more about how to be proactive in this way at our previous article on Liver Health & Nutrition.
Having removed the first half of the equation, let’s look at the other factor: obesity. The American Obesity Association utilizes Body Mass Index (BMI) to evaluate your degree of risk based on excess weight. Here are the risk parameters:
- BMI > 25 defines overweight and marks the point where the risk of disease increases from excess weight.
- BMI > 30 defines obesity and marks the point where the risk of death increases from excess weight.
- Waist circumference of > 40 inches in men and > 35 inches in women increases disease risk.
You can quickly have your BMI calculated by clicking here.
If you are ready to improve your body composition to lose fat and preserve lean muscle, a lifestyle change is what you need… not a diet! Diets don’t really work, in fact they contribute to the obesity problem overall. Start by educating yourself on the correct healthy way to lose weight. Check out this highly recommended Health Guide to learn the essentials. Keep coming back for future articles with more information on liver health and other health issues pertaining to recovering alcoholics and addicts.
Alcohol use affects the health of your liver, as everyone knows. Both quantity and frequency of alcohol use can have a serious impact on your health, especially the liver - a vital organ. If you are a recovering alcoholic, perhaps you have wondered how your drinking days have affected your liver. Whether you were a weekend warrior binge drinker or a daily drinker, your liver had to process your excessive alcohol intake.
Binge Drinking vs. Daily Drinking Effects on Liver
Obviously, binge drinking is harmful to your liver- in addition to other areas of your body. Researchers have also investigated the impact of daily drinking on liver health. A recent study found that long-term daily drinking, rather than weekly binge drinking, is by far the biggest risk factor in serious liver disease. Generally, patients with alcoholic cirrhosis have been drinking heavily for 10 to 20 years.
Alcoholic liver disease is one of the most serious medical consequences of chronic alcohol use. Chronic alcohol abuse can cause fatty liver, cirrhosis and alcoholic hepatitis. Alcohol is a leading cause of liver cancer in the western world. Among heavy drinkers, up to 100% show evidence of fatty liver, an estimated 10-35% develop alcoholic hepatitis, and 10-20% develop cirrhosis.
For those who have been fortunate enough to escape liver disease, chances are you still did some damage during your active alcoholism/addiction.
Normal Liver Function
First, consider the fact that normal liver function is essential to life. It filters blood, removes and destroys toxic substances; helps digest and absorb fats; and it is involved in many of the metabolic systems of the body. The liver stores vitamins; synthesizes cholesterol; metabolizes or stores sugars; processes fats; and assembles amino acids into various proteins, some for use within the liver and some for export. The liver controls blood fluidity and regulates blood-clotting mechanisms. It also converts the products of protein metabolism into urea for excretion by the kidneys.
How Exactly Does Alcohol Damage the Liver
There are many mechanisms by which alcohol injures the liver. The most advanced form of alcoholic liver injury is alcoholic cirrhosis. Before the 1970's, the cause of alcoholic cirrhosis was believed to be nutritional deficiencies from heavy drinking. Overwhelming evidence subsequently proved that alcohol itself is toxic to the liver. It is now believed that nutritional effects and direct alcohol toxicity interact in such complex ways that the influence of the two cannot be separated. Other Factors include: genetics, free radicals & acetaldehyde, liver metabolism, gender (women may be more susceptible), and environmental factors (i.e. medications, exposure to pollution).
Other Ways we Damage the Liver
In addition to alcohol use, you may have also used other recreational drugs; perhaps you are currently taking over-the-counter or prescription medication, or have been on medications in the past; currently or previously engaged in unhealthy eating habits, or have been obese. All of these factors further tax the liver and contribute to your need for a liver cleanse and nutritional supplementation.
Vitamin Deficiencies from Liver Damage
Once liver function is compromised, your body's ability to use vitamins is significantly reduced. The liver is no longer able to process, store or utilize many of the water-soluble vitamins such as thiamin, B6 and folate, and your body is no longer able to use fat-soluble vitamins A, D and E.
Remember also that your liver is also crucial in the transportation of minerals throughout your body. If it is damaged, the minerals can't get out of the liver. This can result in mineral deficiency throughout your body, as well as a potentially toxic buildup of minerals in the liver.
Help Your Liver Recover
Recovering alcoholics & addicts, you have already detoxed off of alcohol & drugs. Whether it was days or years ago, you should absolutely give your liver its own detoxification cleanse! Use this simple 7-day system to cleanse your liver. This particular system not only cleanses and detoxifies the liver but also cleanses the digestive system and colon at the same time. It is recommended to cleanse first, then follow up with a liver support protocol that will be better absorbed and utilized due to cleansing first.
For a superior daily multivitamin/mineral formula that is easily absorbed, click here. *Note: choose the without iron version unless you know you are anemic.
For ongoing support of normal liver detoxification activity and overall liver health, two great supplements are Curcumin and Hepatocleanse. Curcumin has multiple health benefits in addition to liver support, including promoting neurological health, cognitive health, and a strong immune system to name a few. Hepatocleanse contains milk thistle and other safe natural herbs that help to detoxify the liver and blood, supports a healthy liver and gallbladder, and helps excrete the toxins that accumulate over time. Use the links provided to read more about the research and benefits of the best supplements that support liver health and may be especially beneficial for active and recovering alcoholics.
You can also lower your chance for liver disease with healthy eating habits. For liver health and overall health, eat foods that are high in fiber and low glycemic. To get a complete education for life on how to incorporate the healthiest eating plan, check out this great health guide and journal. With these simple yet advanced strategies, you can take charge of your liver health and nutrition to continue to truly recover in BODY, as well as mind and spirit.
