1e. Breaking it Down: Alcohol Metabolism

As we explore alcohol abuse and how it affects our body and mind, it is also important to understand why some people seem to be more affected by alcohol than others. This is partially because of alcohol metabolism.

Metabolism is a term used to describe all the chemical processes that occur in the body. Just about everything we consume, including alcohol, must be chemically broken down before our body can use or eliminate it. A snack of bread and peanut butter, for example, is broken down into sugars, fats and proteins. These are absorbed by our bloodstream and moved into our cells to be used for energy or stored for later.

When alcohol is consumed, our bodies break it down through a process called alcohol metabolism. In this multi-step process, alcohol is broken apart into smaller and smaller pieces. After the final breakdown, the body has metabolized alcohol into carbon dioxide and water, both of which are non-toxic and easy for the body to eliminate through sweat, urine or exhalation.

Before reaching the final step, alcohol is broken down into a chemical called acetaldehyde, which is highly toxic. This toxin damages DNA and can also prevent your body from repairing the damage. Even though the body quickly breaks down acetaldehyde into less toxic chemicals, it can still cause damage to tissues and organs. In the next topic, you’ll learn more about the connection between acetaldehyde and health conditions.