How come alcohol dehydrates you even if you drink lots of water as well?

Question

I used to drink to the point of ending up detoxing in hospital (I’m 3 years sober now). I’d be downing vodka but at the same time I’d be downing water too, loads of it. But every time I’d end up in hospital they’d say I was chronically dehydrated. I’d have thick brown pee. I don’t understand it. Where was all the water actually going?!

In: Biology

Answer 1

There’s a hormone called antidiuretic hormone, that tells your kidneys to reabsorb water. Alcohol inhibits ADH. Making antidiuretic into diuretic hormone basically. So quite literally you pee inappropriately. You need to be OVER hydrated and then also drink while drinking alcohol.