Ep29 – Doritos Made Me an Alcoholic: The Why, the How and the Stigma of Alcoholism
Ep29 – Doritos Made Me an Alcoholic: The Why, the How and the Stigma of Alcoholism

Untoxicated Podcast

To blame my alcoholism on Doritos is a bold statement, but the more we learn about neurochemistry and the way our brains process inputs, the more obvious the link between my adolescent snack patterns and my addiction to alcohol becomes. -

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46:34•3 Feb 2020

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About this podcast

Untoxicated Podcast

Matt & Sheri Salis

Sheri and Matt Salis just wanted a normal life – normal marriage, normal careers, a normal house and happy kids. Instead, they lived a life of lies and terror as they struggled with Matt’s alcoholism. While their experience sounds rare, with over 15 millions problem drinkers in America, their alcoholic marriage was all too normal. Matt has been writing about their experiences in alcoholism and recovery for years. On the Untoxicated Podcast, Sheri and Matt talk about it, too. No subjects are off limits as the couple discusses the trauma of active addiction, the pain of early recovery, the destruction and rebuilding of trust, and the impact on their intimate relationship. If you love an alcoholic, the disease will terrorize your relationship. We hope you’ll listen and find healing in our shared stories. For more support from Sheri and Matt, check out their Echoes of Recovery program providing connection and healing for the loved ones of alcoholics.

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Episodes: 391

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Doritos and Drinks: Matt Salis on Neurochemistry and Alcoholism

“So if we get a surge of sugar or we eat some crappy carbs and we eat in large quantities, our brain will flood itself with dopamine, that good-feeling drug. Okay, we know what to do with this, that sugar, that simple carb that causes this injection of dopamine. So then, later in life, when I started introducing alcohol into my system, guess what. So our brain's not cool with just firing off dopamine all the time.”

Can a bag of Doritos really set someone on the path to alcoholism? In this episode of the Untoxicated Podcast, Matt and Sheri Salis dive into the unexpected connections between adolescent snack habits and adult addiction. Matt opens up about his journey, revealing how his teenage love for certain snacks may have influenced his brain's chemistry and contributed to his struggles with alcohol later in life.

He tackles the tough questions: How did he recognize his alcoholism despite leading a high-functioning life? Why do some people with similar drinking patterns not develop an addiction? Through candid storytelling, Matt discusses the importance of embracing the 'alcoholic' label to combat stigma and pave the way for recovery. The episode also touches on deeper issues like childhood trauma, the link between alcohol and depression, and the necessity of professional help.

Sheri and Matt emphasize the critical role of self-acceptance and supportive relationships in achieving lasting sobriety. Whether you're grappling with your own addiction or supporting a loved one, this episode offers valuable insights and hope.

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