Do Multiple Sclerosis and Alcohol Mix?
Exploring Interactions, Impacts, and Empowering Personal Choices
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and the challenges that come with it create an obstacle course of challenges that non-MS’ers may not have to deal with. For people living with (MS), celebrations and other occasions associated with alcohol consumption may present risks beyond the expected hangover. Alcohol consumption can also increase your risk for other health conditions (comorbidities), like cardiovascular disease and certain cancers, which could worsen your MS. Getting out and having fun with friends may be just what the doctor ordered, but here are few things to consider before you head to the party.
Interactions with Disease Modifying Therapies (DMTs) and other Medications.
Alcohol may intensify the side effects of certain DMTs, such as dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, and decreased coordination, impairing cognitive and physical function. It may also interfere with the effectiveness of DMTs, potentially reducing their therapeutic benefits. Both alcohol and medications impact liver function, so use caution when combining them.
Other Medications that may not mix well with alcohol include:
- Antidepressants
- Anxiety medications
- Anticoagulant and cardiovascular medications
- Insomnia medications
- Over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol and Ibuprofen
- Opioids
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAA) suggests the following.
- Combining alcohol with certain medications, particularly those with sedative effects, can increase the risk of adverse events, including falls, driving accidents, and fatal overdoses.
- Alcohol can alter the metabolism and pharmacological effects of many common medications, and conversely, many drugs can alter the absorption and metabolism of alcohol.
- People aged 65 and older are at increased risk for harm due in part to age-related changes in their physiology and in part to their increasing use of medications that could interact with alcohol.
Impact of Alcohol on Gait, Balance, Fatigue, and other MS Symptoms
Even without the problems brought by medication interactions, alcohol’s direct effects can aggravate MS symptoms that impact mobility and balance. A few glasses of wine or beer are more likely to destabilize gait and heighten fall risk in those with existing weakness, fatigue, or sensory issues. The diuretic properties of alcohol mean more frequent bathroom trips, too. Hangover headaches and fogginess will also impair functions for longer in folks with MS compared to the general population, which translates into longer recovery time.
If you choose to consume alcohol, do so in moderation, and to ensure you stay hydrated, drink plenty of water alongside alcohol to minimize dehydration, which, again, can exacerbate MS symptoms. Are you sensing a pattern?
Individual tolerance to alcohol varies. Some with MS may find that alcohol affects them more strongly than before their diagnosis. Listening to your body and being aware of your tolerance levels is essential. Adjust your alcohol consumption accordingly to avoid discomfort or adverse effects.
Empowering Personal Choices
Participating in festivities does not require drinking alcohol. While abstaining may draw attention, empowerment comes from prioritizing one’s health needs above peer pressure. Mocktails offer refreshing alternatives to fit in with the festivities.
Mocktails (non-alcoholic cocktails), or other creative non-alcoholic beverages can be a fantastic way to partake in the festivities while skipping alcohol. Bringing a non-alcoholic beverage, like a seltzer or mocktail, ensures an enjoyable option that aligns with your choices.
An alternative beverage plan can help you feel more confident if you feel pressure to imbibe. And when the alternatives are just as fizzy and fun as the alcohol versions with none of the hangover, it is something to look forward to!
ARE YOU MOCKTAIL CURIOUS?
Would you like to include a festive Mocktail at your next celebration but are not sure where to begin? Download a copy of this booklet that offers ten tasty recipes with all of the festivity but none of the alcohol (or the hangovers)!
The question of whether multiple sclerosis and alcohol mix is a complex one, and the answer varies depending on individual circumstances. Ultimately, choosing to imbibe (or not) is about making informed decisions prioritizing health, happiness, and personal comfort in every celebratory moment.
If you find yourself feeling a bit of FOMO because others are drinking, and you are choosing not to drink, flip the script and focus on what you are happy to be missing out on instead: A hangover on steroids! Pun intended! 😉
I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist living in Greensboro, North Carolina. I help people overcome nutrition obstacles and help them meet their nutrition and wellness goals.
Hi, I’m Mona. I have been living with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) for over ten years. As a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) I help others with MS to navigate the nutrition superhighway and make sustainable progress toward their unique wellness goals.