Many of the effects of drinking every day can be reversed through early intervention. People who drink in moderation are not likely to experience seizures. In this article, learn what alcohol does to the brain, how it can lead to seizures, and what you need to know about alcohol use if you already have a seizure disorder. Additionally, if a seizure cannot be stopped or multiple seizures occur in rapid succession, it could result in permanent injury or prove fatal. Before a seizure, people may experience an aura or feel a change in sensation — such as smell, taste, sound, or vision — due to abnormal activity in the brain. This article looks at the connection between alcohol, seizures, and epilepsy, as well as treatment options and support.
Epilepsy
The authors report that over 90% of alcohol withdrawal seizures occur within 48 hours after the last drink. Alcohol consumption or withdrawal may trigger seizures in those with epilepsy. Some experts link excessive alcohol consumption to the development of epilepsy. In one small study from 2018, people with epilepsy who reported seizures after drinking had consumed seven or more standard-sized drinks before their seizures occurred. Nearly all of the seizures occurred within 12 hours after they stopped drinking. Furthermore, seizures seemed particularly likely if the participants did not regularly drink that much alcohol.
Avoid binge drinking
A report from 2021 also found that alcohol-related deaths were five times more likely in people with epilepsy than those without the condition. Symptoms are generally mild during the first 12–24 hours of withdrawal but increase in intensity around the third day without alcohol. Epilepsy and alcohol have often been seen as a dangerous mix and people who have seizures may be warned to avoid drinking. However if you are an adult, you should be able to make an informed decision about what’s right for you.
What does an alcohol withdrawal seizure feel like?
However, people with epilepsy may be more likely to have seizures while going through alcohol withdrawal. Light, infrequent drinking isn’t linked to seizures, but people who are regular or heavy alcohol users have an increased risk of alcoholic tremors or seizure activity. Though alcohol can trigger seizures, they are more often linked to withdrawal from alcohol if your body has developed a tolerance for it and dependency on it.
Alcohol and seizure medication can sometimes interact in ways that make it more likely that you will have a seizure or affect your health in other ways. For example, Keppra and alcohol may increase your risk of liver problems. Meanwhile lamotrigine and alcohol may cause you to feel very sleepy. Anti-epilepsy drugs can also reduce your tolerance to alcohol which means you will feel drunker faster. Most of these antiepileptic medications also have side effects that mimic those of alcohol. They may slow down central nervous system responses, make a person sleepy, or cause parts of the brain to work differently.
You will of course want to check with your doctor and read the leaflet inside your anti-epilepsy medication, but an occasional beer, glass or wine or spirit is normally fine. People whose seizures are controlled by drugs or a medical device may have fewer problems drinking alcohol. On the other hand, if your seizures are not controlled, drinking alcohol is more risky. If people have an alcohol use disorder, they can talk with a healthcare professional about treatment options. If people withdraw from alcohol after heavy use, it is important to do so with medical supervision.
When the person you love has recovered from the seizure, explain how treatment works. Outline how counseling combined with medications can ease chemical imbalances caused by addiction. Daily drinking can have serious whats smack the dirt consequences for a person’s health, both in the short- and long-term.
If you have epilepsy, consult your physician for more information on the approach to alcohol that is right for you. According to the Epilepsy Foundation, seizures by themselves typically are not fatal. alcohol brain fog However, they may cause people to fall and sustain potentially serious injuries, such as head injuries. Alcohol seizures may share symptoms with seizures that are not linked to alcohol. Join the conversation today to share your experiences and connect with others on MyEpilepsyTeam. Fetal alcohol syndrome can occur when a person is exposed to alcohol before birth.
- Rather, the risk of alcohol withdrawal seizures is more of a concern.
- According to the Epilepsy Foundation, seizures by themselves typically are not fatal.
- If you are conscious during an alcohol withdrawal seizure, you may experience repetitive, uncontrolled movements of part or all of your body.
- Epilepsy can cause seizures to occur with more mild levels of alcohol withdrawal than would occur in most people.
- Over half of those with alcohol withdrawal seizures may have repeat seizures, and up to 5% of cases may lead to status epilepticus.
Drinking alcohol in small amounts generally does not trigger seizures, but seizures can result from alcohol withdrawal. In the end you are an adult and you can make the best choices for yourself. For many people with epilepsy it is perfectly fine to drink small quantities of alcohol from time to time without having a higher risk than usual of seizures. By making sensible choices about epilepsy and alcohol, you could possibly enjoy a drink without worrying about the consequences.
Call our hotline at today to speak to an admissions alcohol and levaquin navigator about your treatment options. If you think someone is experiencing an alcohol overdose, call 911 immediately. Since 1956, we have been serving the province as a registered health charity incorporated under the statutes of Ontario as a non-profit and non-governmental organization. We aim to raise public awareness and improve education through publications, conferences, outreach initiatives and our website.
Although these are general guidelines, your tolerance or consumption recommendation can vary based on your overall health, size, and medical condition. This section answers some frequently asked questions about alcohol and seizures. A person with epilepsy should speak with their doctor to determine how much alcohol, if any, is safe to consume with their condition. When people stop consuming alcohol after chronic use, they lose the inhibitory effects of the GABA receptors, resulting in the central nervous system being overstimulated. In a 2019 study, researchers showed that quitting alcohol had a positive effect on most people’s mental well-being.
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. Completely avoiding alcohol and eating a balanced diet can help minimize damage. Your chances for recovery depend on how early the disease is diagnosed and how much damage has already occurred. This is a severe and short-term neurologic disease that can be life threatening.
