The Reality and Risks Of Drinking Alcohol With A Concussion
It’s easy to want to rush the healing process after a concussion. You’ll usually be advised to limit screen time, physical activity, and drinking alcohol. This makes it hard to find a way to relax.
Even though it can be tempting to unwind with a drink, it brings up the question: Is it safe to drink with a concussion?
Let’s lead with the reality: there is no safe amount of alcohol to drink following a concussion. It’s not enough for symptoms to be gone; your body needs time to heal.
This helpful guide from Purpose Healing Center will answer your questions and help you navigate the healing process, as well as offer insights and treatment options if alcohol intake is becoming an issue.
Understanding Your Concussion
Being concussed goes beyond bumping your head. A concussion is a traumatic brain injury. It doesn’t happen unless the bump or other injury is so severe that your brain function is impacted. You can’t rush things; concussions heal with rest and time.
Don’t do anything strenuous and avoid alcohol consumption so that your brain has a chance to heal completely.
Knowing the Symptoms of a Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Concussions are a traumatic brain injury that affects you physically, mentally, and emotionally. Common physical symptoms include dizziness, headache, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound.
Mental fatigue, memory loss, confusion, and problems concentrating are also common. On the emotional side of things, you may have anxiety, depression, irritability, or mood swings.
What Does the Process of Recovering from a Concussion Look Like?
The severity of your concussion and how well you follow doctor’s instructions will play a big role in your recovery timeline. Mild concussions might heal within 2-4 weeks, but this doesn’t mean you’ll be cleared to drink then.
Even after you are no longer experiencing headaches or mental fatigue, your brain could still be healing. Continue to listen to your doctor, and if you’re unsure if you can drink, ask! It’s always better to be on the safe side when healing from a concussion.
Possible Persistent Symptoms and Post-Concussion Syndrome
On average, it takes several days to a few weeks to heal from a head injury. However, the timeline for concussion recovery varies from person to person. Some people also develop post-concussion syndrome.
Basically, this means that your symptoms last much longer than they are supposed to. You might experience headaches, memory loss, and fatigue long after you should have healed. Post-concussion syndrome often happens in people who have a history of concussions and those struggling with a severe brain injury.
Can I Drink Alcohol During Concussion Recovery?
Consuming alcohol is never a good idea during concussion recovery. Even a drink or two puts strain on your body, and especially your brain. Your brain isn’t able to heal with the added stress of processing alcohol.
Alcohol consumption can also mask symptoms or make them worse. In either case, it’s hard to know whether you’re actually recovering. Let’s take a look at the reasons you shouldn’t drink during concussion recovery.
Alcohol Consumption Slows Recovery
Concussions are a type of brain injury, and just like a broken bone or wound, concussions take time to heal. When you drink alcohol, it works as a neurotoxin. It causes inflammation and affects your brain cells and central nervous system.
By interfering with the brain’s natural healing abilities, drinking alcohol causes unnecessary setbacks in your post-concussion recovery.
You Can’t Get Quality REM Sleep After Drinking
It’s hard to rest after a concussion, which makes it tempting to use alcohol to self-medicate your sleep difficulties. Just know that even having 1-2 drinks can negatively impact your sleep quality. You might fall asleep a little easier, but you won’t get the same restful REM sleep as you do when you’re sober.
REM sleep is really important post-concussion. During REM sleep, your brain and body heal. It’s also important for memory, cognition, and brain development.
Drinking Can Make Concussion Symptoms Worse
Drinking alcohol has a way of exacerbating the symptoms of your concussion because it adds to the inflammation you’re already experiencing in your brain. You’ll have headaches, forget things, feel dizzy, and experience mood swings. Your judgment is also worse, so you might not recognize the damage you’re doing by continuing to drink.
Drinking Slows the Healing Process
When you’re concussed, the symptoms you experience come from neuron damage and inflammation in your brain. Adding alcohol to the mix adds to the inflammation and creates an environment where it’s hard for your brain cells to heal.
If you do drink, you’ll notice worsening symptoms. You also lengthen the amount of time that you need to recover. Instead of healing for a few weeks, it’s very possible that healing will take months or longer.
Drinking After A Concussion Intensifies Alcohol’s Effects
Having even one drink after a brain injury can make you feel intoxicated. When you’re recovering, your brain can’t process substances like it used to.
It’s much more sensitive, so you feel alcohol a lot more intensely than before. It can also be hard to judge your limits.
Alcohol Use Leads to an Increased Risk of Head Injury
Even if you only have one or two drinks, your concussion will amplify how you’d typically feel. You’re much more likely to feel dizzy and fall down, making your brain injury worse. The added inflammation in your brain also increases the risk of post-traumatic seizures, which can lead to further injury.
If you were to injure your head, it could lead to second impact syndrome. This condition causes rapid, dangerous swelling in your brain, and it only takes a small bump when you aren’t healed from a concussion. Second impact syndrome can cause permanent, irreversible cognitive problems or even death without medical intervention.
When Will it Be Safe to Drink Following Concussion Recovery?
With so much variation in the healing timeline and no guarantee of when drinking will be safe, it’s best to avoid alcohol until you’re cleared by a medical professional. The person who is treating you is the most familiar with your case and can tell you when it will be safe to drink alcohol again.
As a general guideline, you should wait at least 2-3 weeks after being symptom-free before you consider alcohol use. Then, only drink a small amount to see how alcohol affects you.
Signs to Watch Out For When Consuming Alcohol Post-Concussion
After all your symptoms fade, it does not mean that you’ve made a complete recovery. Drinking too soon seriously halts your progress and can even be dangerous. Once you are medically cleared to drink, you’ll still want to pay attention to how you feel. If symptoms like brain fog, dizziness, or headache come on suddenly, talk to your doctor.
Even if you’re showing signs of a complete recovery, drinking too soon causes inflammation and other adverse effects. Pay attention to how alcohol makes you feel and watch out for increased symptoms, such as headache, dizziness, or brain fog. If the effects of alcohol are more intense than usual, stop drinking and talk to your doctor.
Why You Might Be Tempted to Drink During the Healing Process
If you’ve felt yourself craving a drink after a concussion, even though it’s dangerous, you aren’t alone. You might want to drink because you feel stressed or bored. For chronic or heavy drinkers, you might even crave alcohol or go through withdrawal.
If you are struggling to quit or experiencing withdrawal, Purpose Healing can help you manage withdrawal symptoms and find healthier ways to cope.
Stay Safe and Let Purpose Healing Help You Quit Drinking
Even with the dangers of alcohol consumption, it might not be easy to quit drinking. If you need support, call Purpose Healing Center today. We offer a variety of inpatient and outpatient programs, so you can heal on your schedule.
If you have questions about treatment or are ready to take the next steps, one of staff members is ready to take your call, totally confidentially, any time of day or night.
480-579-3319