How to Stop Diarrhea After Drinking Alcohol

Key takeaways:

• Small amounts of alcohol can speed up digestion and cause diarrhea. Large amounts of alcohol are more likely to cause constipation because of the diuretic effect of alcohol.
• Alcohol in any amount causes inflammation in the stomach and speeds up the contraction of the intestinal muscles. Increased muscle contractions expedite the passage of intestinal contents and prevent the intestine from absorbing liquids efficiently.
• Chronic heavy drinkers often have diarrhea as a result of damage to the protective lining of the gut and changes in function and motility.

Diarrhea is a common symptom associated with many digestive disorders. It is a frequent complaint of both people who drink occasionally and chronic alcoholics. Alcohol is quickly absorbed and enters the bloodstream as soon as it is ingested.

Alcohol’s effects on the gastrointestinal (GI) system can vary, depending upon the amount you drink and whether or not you are a chronic heavy drinker. The alcohol content of your drinks also affects your digestive system. Beverages over 15% alcohol typically cause constipation. Lower-alcohol drinks, like beer and wine, are more likely to cause diarrhea.

Is it normal to have diarrhea after drinking alcohol?

Diarrhea is a common symptom of alcohol’s effects on the GI system. It is reported often after consuming alcoholic beverages such as beer and wine.

However, binges of hard alcohol are more frequently associated with constipation. This occurs because alcohol can prevent the secretion of the hormone vasopressin from the pituitary gland. Vasopressin causes fluid reabsorption in the kidney, and a lack of it can cause constipation.

How alcohol can cause diarrhea

There are several ways that alcohol affects the digestive system. Alcohol speeds up digestion and increases contractions of the intestines, known as peristalsis. This limits fluid and electrolyte reabsorption in the intestine. Alcohol can also cause the cells in the intestinal mucosa or lining to secrete fluids, which also contribute to diarrhea.

People who regularly drink large amounts of alcohol often have chronic diarrhea. Alcohol causes changes in the internal structure of cells and tissues, the function of the gastrointestinal tract, and gut motility.

Other ways that alcohol may cause diarrhea are as follows.

• Alcohol has an inflammatory effect on the digestive tract. This mobilizes specific cell types that release chemicals, causing increased peristalsis.
• Increased permeability of the gut may also occur. This is sometimes known as leaky gut syndrome. Leaky gut syndrome is associated with diarrhea, bloating, and gas.
• Chronic alcoholism alters the microbial balance in the gut. The gut microbiome refers to the microorganisms that live in the intestinal tract. Good microorganisms aid digestion, but chronic use of alcohol can affect their function.
• Alcohol can also increase the secretion of fluids from the cells lining the large intestine. This contributes to the watery consistency of diarrhea.
• Alcohol reduces the secretion of digestive enzymes by the pancreas, which can contribute to diarrhea.

Other factors that may contribute to diarrhea after alcohol consumption

Alcohol can harm the protective lining of the gut and weaken immunity, in addition to its aforementioned inflammatory effect. As a result, drinking should be avoided by people with the following gastrointestinal disorders:

Ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease primarily affecting the colon. The sulfites and sugars in alcohol may increase diarrhea associated with this disorder. Alcohol can worsen diarrhea and trigger flare-ups. It alters immunity, causes inflammation, and changes the gut mucosa.

If you take medications to reduce your symptoms, they may be less effective when you drink. Alcohol alters the gut microbiome, which can worsen ulcerative colitis or cause a flare.

Crohn’s disease

Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease primarily affecting the small intestine. It is associated with diarrhea and abdominal pain. Symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease are usually increased with the use of alcohol.

As with ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease involves damage to the intestine's lining. Inflammation and changes in gut bacteria also worsen symptoms and cause flare-ups.

Gluten sensitivity

If you have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, you may have a reaction to grains in beer or certain alcoholic beverages. These reactions include abdominal cramps and diarrhea.

Read our guides on diarrhea causes and types of diarrhea for more.

Duration of diarrhea after alcohol consumption

People who drink occasionally and develop diarrhea after drinking have symptoms that usually start a few hours after they drink.

These symptoms last one to two days. People who consume large amounts of alcohol regularly may have permanent damage to the intestinal lining, resulting in chronic diarrhea.

How to get short-term relief from diarrhea after drinking alcohol

If you develop diarrhea after drinking alcohol, there are a few things you can do to relieve your symptoms. If you are having diarrhea, there are several over-the-counter treatments that may help.

Your doctor may also prescribe an antidiarrheal drug or antispasmodic, which relaxes intestinal muscles and helps relieve cramping and pain associated with diarrhea.

Antidiarrheal drugs

Antidiarrheals can act directly or through the parasympathetic nervous system on the smooth muscles of the intestine to increase the time it takes for food to transit the digestive system.

• Bismuth salicylate (Pepto Bismol) is an over-the-counter medication that coats the inside of the stomach and can reduce or relieve diarrhea.
• Loperamide (Imodium) is an over-the-counter medication frequently used to stop or prevent diarrhea. It reduces the movement of the intestinal muscles. Loperamide also minimizes the loss of fluids and electrolytes and decreases stool volume.
• Diphenoxylate and atropine (Lomotil) is a combination prescription antidiarrheal drug that acts through the autonomic nervous system.

Antispasmodics

Antispasmodics relax the muscles of your intestine, which can relieve cramps and abdominal pain. They also reduce sweating and salivation and relax the bladder. Antispasmodic medications target the parasympathetic nerves, which are part of the autonomic nervous system.

Common antispasmodics include:

• Hyoscyamine (Levsin, Losinamine)
• Dicyclomine (Bentyl)
• Peppermint oil

Replace lost fluids

It’s critical to replace fluids lost through diarrhea. Clear liquids are recommended. You may want to try an electrolyte drink if your diarrhea is particularly severe. If you don’t replace fluids, you can become dehydrated.

How to get long-term relief from diarrhea after drinking alcohol

Chronic alcohol use can result in permanent damage to the lining of the intestines, which alters the microbiome and permeability of the gut. Measures to get relief from chronic diarrhea after drinking alcohol include the following.

Stop drinking

Abstaining from alcohol may decrease long-term diarrhea. However, if you regularly drink a lot of alcohol, you should not stop suddenly without consulting your doctor. Withdrawal from heavy alcohol use can cause hallucinations, seizures, and even death.

Some prescription medications can mitigate the harmful effects of alcohol withdrawal. In some cases, you may be admitted to the hospital for a few days to monitor your withdrawal symptoms.

Avoid gluten

Celiac disease is associated with gluten sensitivity. Many people with celiac disease react to the grains in beer and certain alcoholic beverages.

Don’t drink without eating food

Food slows the absorption of alcohol by the digestive system and can reduce alcohol-related damage to the body.

Probiotics

Probiotics are live microorganisms that usually inhabit the gut. Taking a probiotic restores a healthy balance of intestinal microorganisms. You may consider taking a probiotic supplement to treat diarrhea.

Medications to reduce acid production

Reducing stomach acid may help with symptoms of alcoholic gastritis, like diarrhea. These medications include:

• Antacids
• Histamine blockers (famotidine, cimetidine, nizatidine)
• Proton pump inhibitors (omeprazole, pantoprazole)

Read our guide on treating diarrhea for more.

When you should see a doctor about alcohol consumption and diarrhea

Alcohol consumption has many gastrointestinal effects in addition to changes it may cause to the small and large intestines. These effects include problems like esophageal reflux, delayed stomach emptying, liver disease, and pancreatitis. Diarrhea can also cause significant dehydration.

You should see a doctor if:

• Your diarrhea lasts longer than two days
• You have frequent bouts of diarrhea during or after drinking

You should go to the emergency room if:

• You have a fever
• You have blood in your stool
• You have severe abdominal pain
• You have black stools
• You feel lightheaded, as though you might faint, particularly when you move from sitting to standing

Questions to ask your provider about alcohol consumption and diarrhea

If you have diarrhea after drinking alcohol and seek medical care for one of the reasons listed above, there are a few things you should ask your doctor to ensure you understand your condition and how to treat it. These questions include:

• How can I prevent diarrhea when I drink?
• Is my condition unusual, given my drinking history?
• When will my diarrhea clear up?
• Should I avoid alcohol?

Frequently asked questions: alcohol consumption and diarrhea

People who develop diarrhea after alcohol consumption often ask the following questions.

Is diarrhea a symptom of alcohol intolerance?

Alcohol intolerance is an inherited condition. It causes flushing, low blood pressure, increased heart rate, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. This condition is caused by a genetic mutation that prevents you from metabolizing (breaking down) alcohol. Symptoms usually occur immediately after drinking.

When is diarrhea a sign of alcohol poisoning?

Alcohol poisoning usually causes vomiting and seizures. Diarrhea is not a common symptom of alcohol poisoning or overdose. Alcohol overdose can lead to stupor, coma, and death.

Can alcoholism cause chronic diarrhea?

Heavy, long-term drinking or frequent binge drinking can cause chronic diarrhea. Alcohol use disorder damages the gut's protective lining and disrupts its function.

What to remember about diarrhea associated with alcohol consumption

Alcohol has significant effects on the digestive system, including diarrhea. Alcohol decreases intestinal transit time, reducing fluid absorption. Alcohol can increase fluid secretion in the gut. Chronic heavy alcohol use can result in damage to the digestive tract, causing chronic diarrhea.

General Medicine follows a strict editorial process, including using real experts to write our articles, vetted primary sources, fact-checking, a secondary medical review, and updates as necessary. This article was medically reviewed and fact checked by Dr. Lane Thaut, DO.

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