The answer to whether alcohol can trigger seizures is more complex than you might think. To learn more about the risks of epilepsy and alcohol, speak to your medical team. There is evidence that people who have uncontrolled seizures are more likely to have seizures after drinking (but people with controlled seizures could also be at risk). Every effort is made to ensure that all our information is correct and up to date. However, Epilepsy Society is unable to provide a medical opinion on specific cases. Responses to enquiries contain information relating to the general principles of investigation and management of epilepsy.

Can People With Epilepsy Safely Drink Alcohol?

• One of the major questions people with epilepsy have is whether or not they can safely consume alcohol.
• Press the escape button or close the dialog to go back to the page you were on.
• Furthermore, seizures seemed particularly likely if the participants did not regularly drink that much alcohol.
• One theory is that when someone repeatedly binges on alcohol and then withdraws, it gradually causes permanent changes in the brain.
• Predictably, the alcoholic beverage industry opposes more restrictive guidelines.
• Moderate to high alcohol consumption has also been found to increase the risk¹ of seizure, even in those who are not epileptic.

At the very least, it can be very uncomfortable to deal with the effects of both. Moderate to high alcohol consumption has also been found to increase the risk¹ of seizure, even in those who are not epileptic. The higher the dose of alcohol consumed and the longer the duration of its consumption, the higher the association with the onset of seizures. It’s also important to understand that quitting alcohol after a period of alcohol abuse or misuse may be harder for people diagnosed with epilepsy than it is for those without it. People with epilepsy may have a higher risk of withdrawal seizures than others.

Health Conditions

Our team of specialists helps individuals navigate the recovery process and stay motivated. It can be easy to forget once you start drinking, but it is always in your best interest to set a reminder or tell a friend to remind you to take your medication. It is generally safe for people with epilepsy to drink a small amount of alcohol up to a certain level. Excessive drinking should be completely avoided, especially for those on prescribed epilepsy medication. Drinking alcohol can cause changes in the brain’s electrical activity, particularly when the body is going through the withdrawal process from alcohol. If you don’t drink, starting drinking with epilepsy is not a good idea, as your body is probably more sensitive to alcohol and its impact.

Alcohol-Related Seizures

It’s also important to avoid binge drinking, a pattern of drinking that causes your blood alcohol content to reach 0.08% or higher. Blood alcohol content refers to the percentage of alcohol in your blood. Research from 2020 found that binge drinking doubled the risk of CKD progression. Third, people can try out Dry January—whether that involves cutting back or quitting entirely.

Talk to Your Doctor

Your doctor can also help you determine if any medications you are taking may interact with alcohol. Taking cannabis, ecstasy, speed, cocaine, and other recreational drugs can trigger, or increase the frequency of, seizures for some people. Taking recreational drugs increases the risk of seizures and of mental and physical health problems, which in turn may make seizures more likely. Learning more about your own epilepsy and treatment means you can make informed choices about your lifestyle. On the other hand, some experts suggest that there may be certain benefits to drinking alcohol for people with epilepsy.

This means that some people who do not actually have epilepsy may also experience seizures when they stop drinking. This is especially true for alcoholics or people who often drink heavily. Dual diagnosis complicates alcohol addiction treatment and requires specialized behavioral therapy. This condition occurs when someone has an addiction coupled with a mental illness.

• “When people are thinking about drinking, and if they choose to do so, it should be part of a healthy lifestyle,” Rimm says.
• Moderate to heavy alcohol consumption is never recommended for people with epilepsy.
• There is also some risk of negative interactions between alcohol and epilepsy medicine.
• Drinking alcohol can cause changes in the brain’s electrical activity, particularly when the body is going through the withdrawal process from alcohol.
• On MyEpilepsyTeam, the social network and online support group for people with epilepsy and their loved ones, members have discussed alcohol, epilepsy, and seizure triggers.
• If you’re enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing.
• This means that some people who do not actually have epilepsy may also experience seizures when they stop drinking.

Yes, there are ways to reduce the risk of drinking alcohol for people with epilepsy. It is important to stay hydrated before, during, and after drinking alcohol. Additionally, it is important to consume alcohol in moderation, as excessive drinking can increase the risk of seizures. Furthermore, it is important to ensure that any medications taken for epilepsy are not interacting with can someone with epilepsy drink alcohol the alcohol consumed.