Why Do I Drink But Never Get Drunk?
The Basics: How Alcohol Affects the Body
Alcohol affects everyone differently. One person gets tipsy after a glass of wine, while another downs three cocktails and feels… basically nothing. Sounds familiar?
So, what’s going on in your body if you drink but never seem to get drunk?
Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) – The Real Measure
Getting drunk is all about how much alcohol ends up in your bloodstream — that’s your BAC. The higher it goes, the more you feel it. But if your BAC stays low, you might not feel the effects, even if you’ve had quite a few drinks.
And here’s the kicker: BAC depends on a bunch of stuff, not just how much you drink. Things like body weight, metabolism, and even what you ate for dinner all matter.
High Alcohol Tolerance – a Blessing or a Curse?
What Is Tolerance, Really?
If you’re drinking and not getting drunk, the most likely explanation is alcohol tolerance. Basically, your body and brain get used to the presence of alcohol, and it takes more of it to produce the same effect.
There are two types:
Functional tolerance: Your brain adapts, so you feel less “drunk” even when your BAC is high.
Metabolic tolerance: Your liver processes alcohol faster than average, reducing the time it stays in your bloodstream.
Personal Story – The Time I Realized I Had It
I used to think I just had a “strong head.” Then, at a friend’s birthday, I drank the same as everyone else (okay, maybe a bit more), and while they were dancing on tables, I was just... chill. Not sober, but def not drunk either. That’s when someone said, “You’ve got monster tolerance, man.” And it hit me — maybe this isn’t so normal.
Genetics and Enzymes: It’s Not All in Your Head
The Role of ADH and ALDH
Two enzymes do most of the work breaking down alcohol: alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). Some people — due to genetics — have more efficient versions of these enzymes. That means alcohol gets metabolized super fast, before it really gets a chance to mess with your system.
So yeah, if you’re wondering “Why don’t I feel anything?” — blame your DNA.
Ethnicity and Genetic Differences
For example, people of East Asian descent often have a variant of ALDH that makes drinking feel unpleasant (hello, “Asian flush”). On the other hand, some people of European or African descent may have a genetic makeup that supports higher tolerance. Not always, of course, but it’s a factor worth knowing.
Other Factors That Affect Intoxication
Food, Sleep, and Stress
You’ve probably heard it before, but eating before drinking slows alcohol absorption. Same goes for being well-hydrated. If you’re well-rested and not stressed out, your body just handles booze better. (And vice versa — tired, hungry, and anxious? You'll feel tipsy faster.)
Also, caffeine can mask intoxication. If you're mixing alcohol with energy drinks... yeah, dangerous combo. You feel alert, but you're actually impaired.
Medication and Health Conditions
Certain meds or conditions (like liver issues) change how your body processes alcohol. If you're on anything regular — from antidepressants to allergy pills — you should definitely consider their effect. Talk to your doc if unsure.
Should You Be Worried If You Never Get Drunk?
A Red Flag for Heavy Drinking?
Okay, time to get a little real. If you always drink more than others and never feel drunk, it could be a sign you’re building dependence. Not to alarm you, but high tolerance often hides growing alcohol use issues.
And here’s the trap: just because you don’t feel drunk doesn’t mean alcohol isn’t affecting your body. Liver damage, memory issues, and other risks don’t wait for you to feel tipsy.
When to Check In With a Pro
If you're starting to feel like it takes more and more to get any effect, or if drinking feels like "no big deal" — it might be time to have a quick chat with a healthcare provider. Just to be safe.
Final Thoughts: Not Getting Drunk Isn’t Always a Superpower
So, to sum it up: if you drink but don’t get drunk, it could be due to high tolerance, fast metabolism, genetic factors, or even your lifestyle habits. It’s not necessarily a problem — but it’s also not something to ignore.
And hey, just because your head doesn’t spin doesn’t mean your liver isn’t working overtime behind the scenes. Be kind to it.
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Is 172 cm good for a man?
Yes it is. Average height of male in India is 166.3 cm (i.e. 5 ft 5.5 inches) while for female it is 152.6 cm (i.e. 5 ft) approximately. So, as far as your question is concerned, aforesaid height is above average in both cases.
Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?
The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.
Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?
How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).
How tall is a average 15 year old?
Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years
| Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 14 Years | 112.0 lb. (50.8 kg) | 64.5" (163.8 cm) |
| 15 Years | 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg) | 67.0" (170.1 cm) |
| 16 Years | 134.0 lb. (60.78 kg) | 68.3" (173.4 cm) |
| 17 Years | 142.0 lb. (64.41 kg) | 69.0" (175.2 cm) |
How to get taller at 18?
Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.
Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?
Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).
Can you grow between 16 and 18?
Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.
Can you grow 1 cm after 17?
Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.