Alcohol and Chronic Pain

Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that can temporarily numb pain sensations and induce feelings of relaxation. Initially, this may seem beneficial for pain management; however, research shows that chronic use of alcohol worsens chronic pain.

Short-term effects

Although alcohol may offer short-term relief from pain, chronic alcohol use can worsen pain and has a negative impact on overall health. Short-term effects of alcohol consumption include the following:

• Alcohol may provide temporary relief from pain and promote relaxation. However, while alcohol has temporary analgesic properties, the amount of alcohol required to achieve pain relief is greater than the recommended maximum daily amount of alcohol (up to one drink per day for women, up to two drinks per day for men).
• Research shows that individuals who consume alcohol in moderation tend to better cope with chronic pain than individuals who abstain from alcohol.
• Some studies show that Individuals who consume alcohol in light or moderate amounts have reduced markers for inflammation, which may be due to the ethanol content of alcoholic drinks.

Long-term risks

While alcohol may offer some short-term relief from pain, chronic alcohol use can worsen chronic pain and has a wide range of negative effects on health. Long-term or excessive use of alcohol can lead to numerous issues, including the following:

• Chronic alcohol increases pain sensitivity. This phenomenon, known as pain sensitization, involves changes to the central nervous system that make it more reactive to pain signals.
• Regular use of alcohol can damage the nervous system, potentially leading to neuropathic pain and small fiber peripheral neuropathy.
• Developing tolerance to alcohol’s effects can lead to increased consumption, raising the risk of alcohol dependence, addiction, and associated health issues (e.g., liver disease, weakened immune system, heart disease, etc.)
• Alcohol can interfere with medications used for pain management, leading to dangerous interactions and side effects.
• Alcohol disrupts sleep patterns, which can worsen pain perception and affect overall pain management.
• Withdrawal from alcohol can also increase pain sensitivity, often driving individuals to drink more.

Bottom line

Conventional medical or alternative treatments for chronic pain are safer, more sustainable options than alcohol use for chronic pain management.

Additional source: Michigan Medicine: University of Michigan