Alcohol affects the way brain signals travel and communicate. 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. Responses to enquiries contain information relating to the general principles of investigation and management of epilepsy. However, Epilepsy Society is unable to provide a medical opinion on specific cases. You can also reach us by email or chat with us online. Here are some basic facts about epilepsy and where to get more information.

Medical professionals often recommend that people with epilepsy avoid or consume a moderate amount of alcohol. Their stance is that drinking less is always better for your health than drinking more, but even moderate drinking may have risks. Consuming alcohol in large quantities for extended periods seems to increase seizure frequency and might increase your risk of SUDEP. In another 2020 study, researchers found that people with epilepsy were more 5 times more likely to die from alcohol-related causes than people without epilepsy. The risk in people with epilepsy is roughly 1 in 1,000 people per year.

Symptoms

According to the Epilepsy Foundation, seizures by themselves typically are not fatal. A person with epilepsy should speak with their doctor to determine how much alcohol, if any, is safe to consume with their condition. This can happen after someone who has misused alcohol for a long time stops consuming it.

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The researchers also found that the risk of epilepsy increased as alcohol consumption increased. Another one of the big reasons people with epilepsy are warned not to consume alcohol is that many of the anti-seizure and anti-epileptic drugs that treat epilepsy do not mix well with alcohol. People with epilepsy are usually advised to avoid alcohol because it can increase the risk of seizure activity.

Avoiding binge drinking entirely is advised, as this significantly increases seizure risk. There are no universal guidelines regarding alcohol consumption for people with epilepsy, as individual responses differ. When alcohol is abruptly removed, the brain becomes hyperexcitable, leading to withdrawal seizures.

Prevention

Certain ASMs, particularly benzodiazepines like clonazepam, lorazepam, and diazepam, should generally not be mixed with alcohol at all. EpilepsyDisease.com does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult your doctor about your medical conditions. They can suggest a treatment plan or refer you to another health professional. If you are struggling with alcohol misuse, talk to your doctor. A majority consumed alcohol within the past year.

Seizure triggers

Dehydration during a hangover may also increase the risk of seizures. The greatest risk of a seizure during a hangover is not due to the hangover itself but to the long-term blood sugar effects of alcohol. Misusing alcohol can increase your overall risk of developing epilepsy. This can lead to temporary and lasting brain damage and increase the likelihood of seizures. When the nervous system is overly depressed, it can lead to conditions that increase the likelihood of seizures when large amounts of alcohol are used. Most of the time, because drinking enhances GABA’s effects, the brain is even more relaxed than normal.

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• Here are some basic facts about epilepsy and where to get more information.
• Often, the person will have no bodily control during the seizure and will not remember it, being very groggy as they slowly wake up afterward.
• According to the Epilepsy Foundation, seizures by themselves typically are not fatal.
• It’s especially dangerous to mix them when driving.It’s important to always talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume alcohol with your medication.Medications such as clonazepam and lorazepam are benzodiazepines that can cause a life threatening interaction when mixed with alcohol.
• Seizures are different for everyone; however, seizures can often be predicted right before they occur by a phenomenon called an aura.

Binge drinking can increase your seizure risk in many ways. You can prevent alcohol seizures by avoiding binge drinking and moderating your drinking so alcohol dependence does not develop. Hangovers do not generally increase the risk of seizures, but they can play a role in seizures occurring. Someone with epilepsy should use alcohol very carefully, as it can increase the risk of severe health problems and complications. Alcohol withdrawal seizures are more likely to occur in those who have used alcohol heavily over prolonged periods. While alcohol withdrawal can cause seizures, they are not guaranteed to happen.

Alcohol and Seizures: Can Drinking Cause Seizures?

The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. We are committed to helping you medically detox safely and maintain long-term sobriety. If you or a loved one are struggling with alcoholism and need help safely detoxing, we are here for you.

Auras occur right before a seizure and can help someone with a history of seizures know that a seizure is about to happen. Seizures are different for everyone; however, seizures can often be predicted right before they occur by a phenomenon called an aura. This creates a close connection between alcohol use and seizures. Alcohol acts on receptors in the brain called gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA receptors, which are closely linked to seizure risk. It is important to discuss alcohol consumption with a neurologist or healthcare provider. While alcohol is a common part of social life, its interaction with brain chemistry and seizure activity requires careful consideration.

As mentioned, a hangover can also play a part in the occurrence of seizures. When it comes to festivities and celebrations, many seem to indulge in drinking alcoholic beverages; it is a familiar action to many. The Recovery Village Columbus offers comprehensive addiction treatment for drug and alcohol addictions and co-occurring mental health conditions. In severe cases, seizures can last more than five minutes or reoccur repeatedly; this is a dangerous condition called status epilepticus. Withdrawal seizures also happen independently of delirium tremens, and having seizures during withdrawal doesn’t necessarily mean can you drink alcohol if you have seizures that delirium tremens is present.

• For those who, after medical consultation, are advised that very moderate consumption might be permissible, certain precautions are important.
• It is important to discuss alcohol consumption with a neurologist or healthcare provider.
• Your chances rise sharply the more alcohol you drink beyond 24 grams.2,3
• Your body size, gender, metabolism, and genetics can affect alcohol tolerance and dependence.
• Those on blood sugar medications are most at risk for this complication.
• Seizures, and a severe condition called delirium tremens, are possible complications of alcohol withdrawal.

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome and risk of epilepsy

In some cases, excessive alcohol consumption may lead people to miss meals or medication, which can also make seizures more likely in people with epilepsy. Heavy drinking, particularly withdrawal from heavy drinking, may trigger seizures in those with epilepsy. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is a condition that occurs after an abrupt stopping of heavy drinking in people with alcohol use disorders (AUD). Heavy alcohol use can lead to seizures, especially when you stop drinking and start to enter a period of withdrawal. Drinking amplifies the effects of GABA and leads to a slowing of brain activity, a state that is referred to as central nervous system depression; because alcohol intensifies this state of mind, seizures are more likely to occur (Valenzky, 2025). While the effects of alcohol can differ from each individual, tiredness, disrupted sleep, seizures, and even impacts on anti-seizure medications are common occurrences for many.

Consuming alcohol seems to be a common trigger for seizures in people with epilepsy.Your risk of developing seizures seems to increase with an increasing amount of 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.The leaflet that comes with your medications can advise you on whether it’s safe to mix your medication with alcohol.Consuming alcohol in large quantities for extended periods seems to increase seizure frequency and might increase your risk of SUDEP. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is a condition that occurs after an abrupt stopping of heavy drinking in people with alcohol use disorders (AUD).The condition may initially cause minor symptoms such as anxiety, headache, tremors, stomach discomfort, and insomnia. Most people who drink lightly or even moderately are at low risk of alcohol withdrawal seizures.

What to Know About Epilepsy Seizures and Alcohol

Your chances rise sharply the more alcohol you drink beyond 24 grams.2,3 Researchers looked at more than a dozen studies on epilepsy and alcohol. Experts say 1 or 2 drinks a day will likely not cause a seizure.1 They could tell you to cut back or stop drinking altogether. But if you have epilepsy, your doctor may warn you about the dangers of alcohol. Status epilepticus is a medical emergency that may lead to lasting brain damage or death.

If people have an alcohol use disorder, they can talk with a healthcare professional about treatment options. Talk therapy and anti-addiction medications may help people manage their alcohol intake. 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 section answers some frequently asked questions about alcohol and seizures. Alcohol may also affect anti-seizure medications, which could trigger seizures.

Seizures related to alcohol most commonly occur during withdrawal, typically between 6 and 72 hours after drinking has stopped. However, the primary concern for individuals with seizures often arises not during alcohol consumption, but rather during the subsequent withdrawal phase. They found that drinking around 24 grams of alcohol — roughly 1 to 2 bottles of beer — does not raise your risk of a seizure. People with alcohol withdrawal seizures may also experience tremors, hallucinations, muscle spasms, and a rapid heart rate.