What’s Really Going On With Alcohol: The Truth We’re Not Being Told

“We don’t blame people for food poisoning when the food is bad. So why do we blame people when the substance is toxic?”

It’s time we blew the lid off what’s happening in the addiction space—because let’s face it, the stories we’re being sold are not just outdated, they’re dangerous.

I’ve spent years trying to understand my own relationship with alcohol (among other things). Yes, it’s complex—there’s personality, sensitivity, life conditions. But what if we’re not giving enough weight to the actual substance? What if the very thing we’re consuming is the problem?

This isn’t about blaming the bottle for every issue. But what I’ve learned—personally and professionally—is that for many of us, alcohol isn’t just a casual drink. It’s a neurochemical disruptor that hits sensitive systems like a bomb.

Take me, for example. I’ve always been like a walking thermometer—my body reacts to things most people seem fine with. Gluten, hormones, stress—you name it. By the time I was eight, I was hospitalised with unexplained gut issues. No one had answers. Fast-forward to adulthood, and it’s clear: my body wasn’t “overreacting”—it was responding appropriately to things that were never good for it in the first place.

Alcohol was one of those things. I’d drink, and everything would unravel. And I know I’m not alone.

But Here's The Thing - It's Not Just About Us

For years, we were told addiction was a personal failing—a lack of willpower or faulty dopamine wiring. But emerging research is turning that narrative on its head.

It turns out alcohol directly affects the gut—home to most of our neurotransmitters. That’s right: those mood-regulating chemicals like serotonin and GABA? They’re primarily produced in the gut, not the brain. And alcohol? It disrupts that entire system, even at so-called “moderate” levels.

We’ve been blaming the individual for struggling, when in reality the substance is destabilising the very systems that keep us mentally and emotionally balanced.

And if you already have a gut in need of some TLC, adding alcohol may put you at significantly higher risk for an accelerated addictive response—compounding neurotransmitter imbalances and inflammatory cascades.

And Yet - How Many of Us Are Aware of This?

Alcohol is a legal drug, readily available on supermarket shelves, in cafés, restaurants—even at the school quiz night. We treat it as an essential part of our culture, yet research is screaming at us that there is no truly safe level of alcohol consumption. None.

Even the World Health Organization says it: alcohol is a toxic, psychoactive, and dependence-producing substance. It’s classified as a Group 1 carcinogen—right up there with asbestos and tobacco.

And yet… we don’t treat it like that.

Here's What the Evidence Actually Says About Alcohol:

1. Alcohol disrupts gut health and neurotransmitter production. Even low-to-moderate intake can interfere with your microbiome—leading to increased inflammation, mood disorders, and immune dysfunction.

2. There is no “safe” level of alcohol for cancer risk. The WHO and The Lancet both confirm that even one drink a day raises cancer risk—especially for breast and gastrointestinal cancers.

3. Our bodies are more vulnerable than we think. For those of us with pre-existing sensitivities? We’re the canaries in the coal mine. What’s happening to us quickly and visibly is likely happening to others more slowly—but just as surely.

So Why Aren't We Being Told the Full Story?

Maybe because alcohol is a massive industry.

Maybe because public health messaging is still stuck on “moderation” instead of transformation.

Maybe because admitting the truth would force us to reconsider our cultural norms.

But here’s the bottom line: we’re sicker, more anxious, more inflamed, and more dependent than ever—and alcohol plays a much bigger role than we’ve been led to believe.

And let’s be real—how often do you scan a drinks menu looking for the non-alcoholic option, only to find it buried in tiny print at the bottom? That’s not an accident. We’ve normalised alcohol to the point where not drinking is the thing that requires explanation.

So What Now?

If you care about your health, your mood, your energy, your ability to function at your best—it’s time to rethink how alcohol fits into your life.

1. Want to age well? Ditch the daily wine.

2. Want better mental health? Start with your gut—and that means cutting back on alcohol.

3. Want to be strong, focused, and clear-headed? Alcohol isn’t helping.

   
   

You don’t have to quit forever. You don’t have to label yourself. But the more informed you are, the more empowered your choices become.

Because here’s the truth: we’ve been sold a fantasy that alcohol is a harmless, fun, social lubricant. But the reality? It’s a major driver of poor health—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

It’s time we started telling that story.

Much love,

Bec x