Did you know that you lose about 50 to 100 hairs every day? In that light, seeing a few stray hairs on your brush or in your drain cover shouldn’t frighten you too much. However, for thousands of people suffering from alcohol use disorder across the country, seeing clumps of hair clogging the sink drain could be the norm. Although science has not fully established a legitimate connection between alcohol problems and hair loss, you may want to rethink consuming that nightly glass of wine. Keep in mind that practices like heavy drinking or binge drinking can most likely result in hair loss, but this problem can also take root as a result of comorbidity (e.g. simultaneous alcohol and drug abuse). Let’s take a closer look at the realities of alcohol and hair loss.
Mind Your Minerals
Overall, scientists have not fully established if mineral deficiencies or malabsorption (which ultimately lead to hair loss) are caused by alcohol use disorder. In certain cases, alcohol abusers and alcoholics may not be ingesting the appropriate amount of minerals, while, in other cases, the booze itself may ruin the body’s ability to process these substances. For example, a 2013 study speculated that zinc deficiency may contribute to problems like alopecia areata, female/male pattern hair loss, and telogen effluvium. Likewise, some researchers claim that low levels of copper may also trigger premature hair loss.
Protein Deficiency
Studies have also revealed that alcohol directly impede protein absorption and trigger a reduction in protein consumption, overall. Ultimately, a deficiency of this vital material can result in severe problems with nails, hair, and skin (for example, flaking skin and fragile hair). Overall, doctors recommend a person should take 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight.
Troublesome Thyroid
Interestingly, scientists have speculated that cases of hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism may directly contribute to hair loss (over the period of a few months to a single year). Based on additional reports, heavy drinking can trigger changes in the hypothalamo-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis and the thyroid itself, which may lead to incidences involving hair loss.
Seeking Treatment for Alcohol Abuse and Addiction
Always remember that alcohol and drugs do not have control over your life. You do. Are you suffering from a substance use disorder or a severe form of addiction? Do you have a friend or family member suffering from one or more of these debilitating illnesses? If you do, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our counselors and healthcare experts are ready to walk you through every step of the detox and withdrawal process and rehabilitation and guide you towards living a happier, healthier, and freer lifestyle. While the road to recovery might not be an easy road to travel, we promise to help you every step of the way. Take the first step to stay fit, healthy, and safe.
The time for you to take back control of your life is now. If you are interested in one of our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how to overcome your alcohol abuse, drug abuse, or addiction troubles today.
