Understanding the Link Between Alcohol and Epilepsy: Risks and Recommendations

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). Any of us could potentially have a single epileptic seizure at some point in our lives. This is not the same as having epilepsy, which is a tendency to have seizures that start in the brain. Clearly, people diagnosed with epilepsy have different answers to the question, “Does alcohol affect epilepsy?

What does it feel like to have an alcohol-related seizure?

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. The choice about whether to drink alcohol as someone with epilepsy goes beyond, “Does alcohol cause epileptic seizures?

It’s about understanding how alcohol affects your body and brain, especially if you’re prone to seizures. If unsure, it might be wise to seek advice from a healthcare professional. Withdrawing (stopping drinking) from alcohol causes people’s  brains to become more excitable. 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.

• To learn more about the risks of epilepsy and alcohol, speak to your medical team.
• While abstaining from alcohol is the safest option, if one chooses to drink, adhering to low-risk drinking guidelines is crucial.
• Eating isn’t just so you have something to absorb the alcohol, it’s also a way to maintain stable blood sugar and reduce the risk of seizures.
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• Alcohol can significantly influence the frequency and severity of seizures among those with epilepsy.

Binge drinking and alcohol withdrawal together can cause seizures, even in people not previously diagnosed with epilepsy. Binge drinking refers to a scenario where you drink a lot in a short period of time, and the seizures related to binge drinking can stem from withdrawal. Even if you’re not a chronic drinker, in some cases, you may also experience withdrawal seizures after binge drinking. An alcohol withdrawal seizure is a serious complication that can occur when someone who has been drinking heavily for an extended period suddenly reduces or stops their alcohol intake. When a person consumes alcohol regularly, their brain and body become accustomed to its presence. Over time, the central nervous system adapts to alcohol’s depressant effects by increasing activity in certain neurotransmitter systems to maintain balance.

Is It Safe to Drink Alcohol if You Have Epilepsy?

• Medical professionals often recommend that people with epilepsy avoid or consume a moderate amount of alcohol.
• It’s about being responsible while still enjoying life in a way that keeps it safe and seizure-free.
• People with alcohol withdrawal seizures may also experience tremors, hallucinations, muscle spasms, and a rapid heart rate.
• Instead of guessing what they might say, the best thing to do is ask them if you can drink.
• Alcohol withdrawal seizures can occur within a few hours or up to 72 hours after stopping drinking.

Speak to your doctor and read the leaflet in the packet for more information. Combining ASMs with alcohol may also increase the side effects of medications, such as dizziness or drowsiness, and may also increase your risk of liver problems. However, other people with epilepsy find they can drink moderately without triggering a seizure. In fact, research shows that a drink or two does not increase seizure activity.

Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

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. Answers are not, and should not be assumed to be, direct medical advice and is not intended to be a substitute for medical guidance from your own doctors.

Why Does Alcohol Withdrawal Cause Seizures?

Knowing how these chemical changes affect you can help you make informed decisions about drinking, especially if seizures are a part of your life story. If your brain gets used to the presence of alcohol and suddenly it’s gone, the neurotransmitters go into overdrive trying to compensate. This can make seizures more likely, particularly in heavy drinkers or those with a seizure history. Are there any safe amounts of alcohol for someone with epilepsy? While abstaining from alcohol is the safest option, if one chooses to drink, adhering to low-risk drinking guidelines is crucial.

If you are dependent on alcohol, it’s important to participate in a medically supervised detox program, which can help alleviate the risks of the situation. In fact, people struggling with chronic alcohol abuse increase their risk of developing seizures when they suddenly stop drinking. The biggest seizure culprit may be when you often drink to excess and then suddenly stop.

If you are especially sensitive to either your AED or alcohol, it may be best to avoid drinking while taking that particular medication. 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. If you research a medication and these symptoms show up, it’s likely that AED will lower your tolerance for alcohol, too. Alcohol acts by stimulating receptors in your brain that cause brain activity to be suppressed. There are some specific considerations that may affect your risk of seizures when using alcohol.

What is an alcohol withdrawal seizure?

Consuming alcohol in large quantities for extended periods seems to increase seizure frequency and might increase your risk of SUDEP. The leaflet that comes with your medications can advise you on whether it’s safe to mix your medication with alcohol. According to the Epilepsy Society, consuming alcohol may make your epileptic medications less effective and may make the side effects of your medications worse. SUDEP is the sudden and unexpected death of a person with epilepsy who is otherwise healthy without a known cause.

If you are conscious during an alcohol withdrawal seizure, you may experience repetitive, uncontrolled movements of part or all of your body. Prior to the seizure, you may also experience an “aura,” consisting of an unusual visual change, smell, taste, or sound caused by abnormal brain activity. Over half of those with alcohol withdrawal seizures may have repeat seizures, and up to 5% of cases may lead to status epilepticus. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is a condition that occurs after an abrupt stopping of heavy drinking in people with alcohol use disorders (AUD). Binge drinking—downing a large number of drinks in a short time—is especially risky, upping your chances of having an alcohol-induced seizure.

When can you drink alcohol if you have seizures alcohol is abruptly removed, the body’s finely tuned equilibrium is disrupted, leading to a cascade of withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal seizures can begin within just a few hours after stopping drinking, or they can take up to 72 hours to start. Withdrawal is something that happens when your body has become dependent on the presence of drugs or alcohol.