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 theory is that when someone repeatedly binges on alcohol and then withdraws, it gradually causes permanent changes in the brain. These changes mean that the person would be more likely to have seizures in future, even if they stopped drinking alcohol altogether. If you have epilepsy you may have heard about risks related to alcohol and seizures. It is true that drinking beer, wine and spirits may make you more likely to have a seizure.

It’s all too common that problem drinking disrupts bonds with a spouse, family members, friends, coworkers, or employers. Consuming alcohol makes it even more dangerous, and it is never a good idea to can someone with epilepsy drink alcohol combine drinking and driving, even in small amounts. If your medication allows drinking, only drink a few drinks, and make sure to drink slowly.

What Should I Do if I Have a Seizure After Drinking Alcohol?

One study found that, six months after participating in Dry January, 40 percent of participants reported drinking less often and having fewer drinks, whereas 10 percent reported the opposite. The key, according to Seija, is not to do Dry January just to go binge drinking on February 1 but to perhaps find a new drinking pattern that feels comfortable and sustainable. There are two important considerations when someone with epilepsy is considering using alcohol. First, those with epilepsy may be more likely to have a seizure while withdrawing from alcohol or using alcohol.

Drinking Alcohol & Epilepsy

• Your doctor can tell you how alcohol may interact with your medications.
• This is because residential treatment can increase the likelihood of long-term sobriety.
• Alcohol and seizure medication may interact in ways that make it more likely that some people will have a seizure.
• If you experience a seizure after drinking, seek medical advice to evaluate your alcohol consumption and seizure management.
• By contrast, another 2023 study found similar rates of death between nondrinkers and light to moderate drinkers.
• For people with epilepsy, drinking alcohol can be a controversial topic.
• Because of the risk of seizures and other serious symptoms, detoxing from alcohol should only be attempted with medical support.

Yes, alcohol can provoke seizures, particularly when consumed in large quantities or during withdrawal periods. If you take an ASM, speak with your doctor about the risks of drinking alcohol. They can advise you on what is safe for you and if there could be interactions. Of course, it is lower risk – and better for your general health – to avoid alcohol altogether. If you have epilepsy and would like to drink alcohol, it’s best to speak with your physician about this first. Withdrawing (stopping drinking) from alcohol causes people’s  brains to become more excitable.

Drug and Alcohol Addiction

It is vital, however, that they clear alcohol use with their doctor before changing their drinking habits or whenever their medications are changed. While it is technically true that no level of alcohol is risk-free, neither are many daily activities, from driving to eating bacon. Still, there are some groups for whom going sober might be the best policy, such as those with a family history of addiction, liver disease or cancer, Anton says. Abstinence is also important for people who are pregnant, take medications that interact with alcohol or have certain genetic conditions. In many cases, even moderate drinking (defined below) appears to increase risk.

Treatment Options for Epilepsy and Alcohol Dependence

She says that alcohol itself is not terribly toxic, but the liver breaks it down into acetaldehyde, which damages DNA and plays a key role in cancer development. It’s worth noting that current guidelines advise against drinking alcohol as a way to improve health. And not so long ago there was general consensus that drinking in moderation also came with health advantages, including a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Recovery Ranger is a website that offers direction and support for those seeking to overcome addiction and achieve lasting sobriety.

Epilepsy is typically treated using medications that increase the brain’s seizure threshold. Surgery or neurological stimulators can be used in some situations to help prevent epileptic seizures. The alcohol detox timeline and the withdrawal treatment approach will depend on the symptoms’ severity. However, people with mild alcohol use disorders may start AEDs right away and begin an outpatient treatment program. Outpatient treatment can help them learn how to avoid triggers and deal with stressful situations in healthier ways.

• While abstaining from alcohol is the safest option, if one chooses to drink, adhering to low-risk drinking guidelines is crucial.
• This is especially true for alcoholics or people who often drink heavily.
• Taking recreational drugs increases the risk of seizures and of mental and physical health problems, which in turn may make seizures more likely.
• You should never stop taking your prescribed ASM without talking to your specialist first as this could cause more seizures or more severe seizures.
• Mixing ASMs and alcohol can also reduce the effectiveness of medication and/or increase side effects by affecting how the ASMs are metabolised, increasing the risk of seizure activity.
• Talk with your doctor about how drinking alcohol may affect your life with CKD and your risk of other conditions.

However, these seizures may differ in physiology from true epileptic seizures. Because of the risk of seizures and other serious symptoms, detoxing from alcohol should only be attempted with medical support. Talk with your doctor about how drinking alcohol may affect your life with CKD and your risk of other conditions.

People with epilepsy are strongly advised to limit daily alcohol intake to a maximum of two drinks. Anyone with epilepsy is urged to discuss alcohol use with their doctor, especially if they take epilepsy medication. Binge drinking and chronic alcohol misuse are major risk factors for seizure activity. The risks of drinking alcohol for people with epilepsy are serious, but that does not mean that people with epilepsy cannot have a few drinks from time to time. It is important to talk to your doctor and understand your own risk factors before having any alcohol.

Press the escape button or close the dialog to go back to the page you were on. Bråthen, Geir; et al. “Alcohol-related seizures.” European Handbook of Neurological Management, 2011. If you or someone you know has epilepsy, you may find it helpful to learn more.

Drinking water in between alcoholic drinks can help reduce the chances of a hangover, but will not prevent seizures from occurring. The patient information leaflet that comes with your ASM should say if alcohol is not recommended. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is a condition that occurs after an abrupt stopping of heavy drinking in people with alcohol use disorders (AUD). The researchers also found that the risk of epilepsy increased as alcohol consumption increased. According to the researchers, these results are consistent with previous studies. In a 2022 review of 8 studies, researchers found that the risk of epilepsy was 1.7 times higher (95% confidence intervals from 1.16 to 2.49) in people who consumed alcohol compared to non-drinkers.