Alcohol & Health
Treatment
Helping Alcoholics
Medically Reviewed by Annamarie Coy, BA, ICPR, MATS
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Most hangover symptoms disappear independently after your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) drops significantly. However, it’s not unusual for the symptoms to last up to 24 hours.
According to a recent study, the average duration of an alcohol hangover is 18 hours after stopping drinking or 12 hours after waking up.4 However, several factors influence this timeline.
The following factors will determine how long your hangover will last:
Some people may have a hangover from just one alcoholic drink, while others can drink excessively and not get a hangover.
On average, the body processes one alcoholic drink per hour. Consuming many drinks in a short period increases the likelihood of a hangover after the effects of alcohol wear off.
Although alcohol is known to induce sleep, it’s most likely to cause disrupted sleep.6 This makes you feel worse when you wake up, prolonging and worsening hangover symptoms.
The diuretic effects of alcohol can hinder kidney function, suppressing the production of the antidiuretic hormone (ADH). This hormone influences the kidneys to retain or release water.8
When ADH production is affected, you may experience a more frequent urge to urinate. If your hydration levels are low, it can lead to a headache or nausea, which characterize dehydration caused by alcohol consumption.
Alcohol is absorbed more slowly when food is in the stomach before you start drinking. Without food in your stomach, most of the alcohol finds its way into your blood quickly.
Drinking on an empty stomach may cause nausea or vomiting, so stop immediately and inform the person you’re with how you’re feeling.
Some health conditions can influence the severity and duration of your hangover, including:
According to a recent study, a person with type 1 diabetes will likely experience hypoglycemia after drinking alcohol.9 Hypoglycemia is a dangerous condition characterized by low blood sugar levels.
Frequent migraine attacks can also influence your hangover symptoms to last longer because alcohol is a common trigger.10
Your body’s metabolism slows down as you age, affecting alcohol metabolism.
Your liver breaks down acetaldehyde, a common toxin and contributor to hangover symptoms. Then the body breaks it down further to non-toxic acetate for easy bodily elimination.
Since liver function slows down as we age, acetaldehyde tends to last longer in the system of older people. This results in prolonged hangovers.
A study indicates that genes contribute to the ability to drink without experiencing the adverse effects of alcohol intoxication.10 However, people who show a reduced response to intoxication and those with considerable resistance to hangovers have a greater risk of dependency.
Medications may make it difficult for your body to break down alcohol, making your hangover last longer.
Some drugs that affect the way your body processes alcohol include:
If you take any medications, always check with your healthcare provider before drinking alcohol to avoid negative interactions that may prolong your hangover.
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A hangover may showcase either mild or severe symptoms.3
The mild symptoms of a hangover include:
The severe symptoms of a hangover include:
There are no instant hangover cures, but doctors recommend waiting at least 48 hours before drinking again to give your body time to recover. They recommend doing this for everyone, regardless of the presence of a hangover.
Aside from that, here are some remedies to ease hangover symptoms:
Drinking lots of fluids (preferably water) will help your body stay hydrated and ease the hangover symptoms.
Alcohol significantly affects sleep quality. Even if you fell asleep after drinking, the chances are that it was not restorative. If you wake up exhausted after a night of drinking, taking more time to rest your body will help ease the discomfort.
A hangover may ruin your appetite, especially if it causes frequent visits to the bathroom. However, eating can help replenish lost electrolytes and settle your stomach. Consider foods like:
An over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication may relieve hangover headaches and muscular pains. Take these medications with a meal to avoid stomach irritation or further harming your stressed liver.
Although the research is limited, several studies have shown that some supplements may help with hangover symptoms. Such supplements include:
Gentle exercises are an excellent method to ease a terrible hangover because they will increase your alertness, and your body will release endorphins. These feel-good hormones can help alleviate some symptoms of a hangover.
Some gentle exercises you can do include:
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The most effective way to prevent a hangover is to avoid drinking alcohol. However, if you have to drink, the following tips will help you avoid a hangover:
Limit how much you intend to drink and stick to it, no matter how much alcohol your friends consume.
The presence of food in the stomach reduces the rate of alcohol absorption into the blood. Slowing the rate of alcohol absorption will reduce the risk of a severe hangover.
Mixing different types of alcoholic beverages will increase your risk of severe hangovers.
Light-colored alcohols, such as vodka or white wine, have fewer congeners (hangover-causing toxins). The darker the drink, the worse the hangover.
Drinking and smoking at the same time increase the severity of a hangover.
Consider alternating a non-alcoholic drink with each alcoholic beverage. It will give your body more time to digest the alcohol, reducing hangover symptoms.
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The best way to prevent hangovers is to avoid drinking. If you find that you are unable to control your drinking, it is essential to seek help.
Several treatments for alcohol addiction are available. These include:
Inpatient treatment programs provide intensive therapy and medical care in a residential setting. You’ll receive 24-hour care and support from medical professionals.
Outpatient treatment programs provide counseling and therapy sessions on an outpatient basis. This means you can attend treatment sessions while living at home. These programs are often more flexible and less expensive than inpatient treatment.
CBT helps you identify and change unhealthy drinking behaviors. It also teaches you how to cope with cravings and manage stress.
Support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) help you stay on track for recovery. They provide a safe and supportive environment to share your experiences with others struggling with alcohol addiction.
MAT combines medication with counseling and behavioral therapies to treat alcohol addiction. Drugs such as naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram can help reduce cravings and prevent relapse.
Depending on different factors, a hangover usually lasts around 24 hours after drinking. There are various ways to relieve hangover symptoms. If you must drink, it’s best to limit your alcohol intake. Treatment options are also available for those suffering from alcohol addiction.
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