Diarrhea is one of the most common gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms people experience after consuming alcohol. While alcohol-induced diarrhea typically doesn’t require treatment, it can be indicative of an unhealthy relationship with alcohol, or another serious health condition. As a physician at Monument, I often work with patients to understand this symptom, why it occurs, and how to find relief.
Why Do I Get Diarrhea After Drinking?
In general, diarrhea occurs when the intestine excretes too much water, moves too fast, or can’t properly absorb water. Alcohol consumption can trigger diarrhea through all of these mechanisms, and damage the GI tract in the process. Let’s break down the different ways alcohol can cause diarrhea.
Faster Gut Movement
The gut is constantly stretching and contracting in order for the body to process food and absorb important nutrients. One location these gut contractions happen is in the large intestine, which is responsible for absorbing water. When alcohol enters the large intestine, it causes these contractions to move abnormally fast, which minimizes water absorption. The excess water left in the large intestine can lead to diarrhea.
Inflammation
Although most alcohol gets metabolized in the liver, some of it is metabolized in the GI tract due to the way alcohol travels through the bloodstream. The more alcohol you consume, the more your GI tract will come in contact with alcohol. The GI metabolizes alcohol by breaking it down into acetaldehyde, which is known to damage gut cells and cause chronic inflammation. While inflammation itself doesn’t cause diarrhea, it leads to the malfunctioning of the sodium pump in the gut. This increased secretion of water and sodium into the gut then causes diarrhea.
It’s also important to note that drinks with lower ethanol content, such as beer and wine, tend to increase gastric acid secretion, which further exacerbates inflammation and therefore diarrhea.
Reaction to alcoholic beverages
For some people, diarrhea is not actually caused by alcohol but by other products commonly consumed with alcohol, such as dairy, gluten, and fructose. If your gut can’t process these products properly, it’ll hold on to water. This results in diarrhea. Speaking with your medical provider can help you determine if you’re having a reaction to alcohol, or have an allergy to a product that is commonly consumed with alcohol.
Prolonged Alcohol-related Diarrhea
It’s possible to experience alcohol-related diarrhea for up to two weeks after you stop drinking. This is because of how alcohol damages the gut. Extended alcohol use can impair the absorption of nutrients, disrupt the way the gut contracts, and promote overgrowth of “bad” gut bacteria. Gut damages can also disrupt bile acid absorption and cause a malabsorption of important vitamins. All of these prolonged damages can cause someone to experience diarrhea even after they stop drinking.
While the process may be uncomfortable, the gut has an incredible ability to heal from these damages with time. If you’re experiencing prolonged diarrhea, it’s important to speak with a physician to discuss your symptoms and options for relief.
Risk Factors for Alcohol-Induced Diarrhea
The severity of alcohol-related diarrhea depends on how much alcohol is consumed and at what rate. Therefore, you’re at greater risk for alcohol-related diarrhea if you drink more heavily and frequently. Cutting back or stopping drinking can immediately reduce your chances of experiencing alcohol-related diarrhea.
If you have an underlying gastrointestinal condition, you are also at a higher chance of experiencing diarrhea after drinking. These conditions include Chron’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and celiac disease.
Lastly, frequently consuming high-carb drinks, such as beer, is another risk factor. These beverages don’t break down before reaching the large intestine so when the gut bacteria metabolizes these carbs, you may experience uncomfortable GI symptoms, including diarrhea. Some people are also allergic to a component of wine, which can also result in diarrhea.
Navigating the non-linear treatment journey
How Long Does Alcohol Diarrhea Last?
In most cases, alcohol-induced diarrhea will resolve on its own in 1 to 3 days. It’s important to not drink more alcohol during this time so the gut has time to recover. There are a few other factors that can influence the duration of symptoms. These include how much alcohol was consumed, the amount of sugar in the alcoholic drink, your metabolic rate, and if you’ve been drinking water to combat alcohol-related dehydration.
While many of these factors aren’t in our control, hydration is. You can help decrease the duration of diarrhea by drinking lots of water and replenishing your electrolytes. If you have other symptoms such as fever and chills, or if diarrhea does not resolve within a few days, you should seek medical attention immediately to determine the cause. As mentioned above, alcohol use can lead to chronic gut issues, which can cause diarrhea to last two weeks or more. Working with a physician and changing your relationship with alcohol can help reduce the chances of diarrhea from drinking.
How to Prevent Diarrhea From Drinking Alcohol
The good news is that once you recognize that alcohol may be causing diarrhea, there are several steps you can take to reduce symptoms. Plus, these methods can help with other alcohol-related health concerns as well.
Reduce or Eliminate Your Alcohol Consumption
The best way to avoid alcohol-induced diarrhea is, of course, not to drink alcohol. Because an unhealthy amount of alcohol is typically required to cause diarrhea, this symptom is often a sign you could benefit from changing your relationship with alcohol. If you’re struggling to manage your drinking, you may meet the criteria for alcohol use disorder, which is a medical condition where you drink more than you want and for longer than you want, despite wanting to cut down.
The good news is, cutting back on alcohol can decrease physical side effects, such as diarrhea, and introduce countless other benefits of sobriety or moderation. There’s many tools and resources to help you get there. Treatment options like medication to stop drinking, alcohol therapy, and peer support can help you change your drinking on your own terms.
Don’t Drink on an Empty Stomach
If you do decide to drink, eating before you consume alcohol can help prevent diarrhea. By having something to eat beforehand, less alcohol directly contacts the GI tract, which in turn reduces irritation. Furthermore, food delays alcohol from entering the intestine too quickly, giving your body more time to process alcohol.
Take Fiber Supplements
If you’re looking to proactively prevent alcohol-related diarrhea, you can try soluble fiber supplements. These supplements bind water in the large intestine and can help prevent or reduce diarrhea. You should consult your healthcare provider before taking supplements.
Treat Co-occurring Conditions
If you have an underlying disease or other medical condition that predisposes you to have diarrhea, seeking treatment will reduce the risk of suffering alcohol-induced diarrhea. The first step is to have a conversation with your physician.
How to Treat Alcohol-Induced Diarrhea
In most cases, alcohol-induced diarrhea doesn’t require medical treatment and resolves on its own in a few days. That said, there are a few treatment methods that can be helpful for some people.
Medication
Anti-diarrhea medication can be a useful treatment for those experiencing alcohol-related diarrhea. You can get different forms of this medication over the counter. However, this isn’t a long-term solution. It’s best to consult with your physician so that you can get a proper diagnosis and treatment, which may or may not include medication.
Hydration & Nutrition
One of the primary causes of alcohol-related diarrhea is dehydration. So naturally, drinking a lot of water is one of the best ways to combat it. The food you eat can also make a difference. Eating “bland” foods can help avoid irritating your gut. These foods include applesauce, bananas, and rice.
Reducing Your Alcohol Intake
If you continue to drink after experiencing alcohol-related diarrhea, it’s likely that symptoms will continue and worsen. Stopping drinking isn’t always as simple as wanting to. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a medical condition characterized by drinking more than intended for longer than intended. Whether or not you meet the criteria for AUD, there are many resources to help you change your relationship with alcohol, like online alcohol treatment.
Does Quitting Drinking Cause Diarrhea?
Some people experience diarrhea when they stop drinking alcohol. This is because diarrhea can be a symptom of alcohol withdrawal. After an extended period of unhealthy alcohol use, the body adapts to alcohol’s depressive effect on the central nervous system. When alcohol is removed from the equation, the nervous system gets overly excited, which can cause various withdrawal responses such as faster heart rate, shakiness, and anxiety. This withdrawal reaction can also include the overstimulation of the gut, which results in diarrhea. The symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous and even life-threatening. If you think you’re experiencing withdrawal symptoms, please seek medical attention immediately.
If you believe you might be experiencing acute alcohol withdrawal, please contact your healthcare provider immediately and visit https://findtreatment.gov/ to find a location to get supervised detox near you. If this is a medical emergency, call 911.
Can Quitting Drinking Reduce Diarrhea Over Time?
The short answer is yes. While it’s possible to experience diarrhea as a withdrawal side effect when you first stop drinking, these symptoms go away with time. When you cut back, your gut can recover its normal functioning, and inflammation dissipates. You will likely experience less overall diarrhea and other GI-related issues, such as nausea. Sobriety can boost your overall immune system, so you’re also less likely to catch a stomach bug, and if you did, you’d be able to recover more quickly.
If you experience alcohol-induced diarrhea, you are not alone and you deserve relief. Healing is within reach, and clinicians such as myself are here to help you explore how drinking less can lead to greater health and happiness.
Maintaining a Healthy Gut Microbiome for Long-Term Recovery
An often overlooked aspect of alcohol’s impact on the digestive system is its effect on the gut microbiome, the community of microorganisms living in our intestines. Chronic alcohol consumption can disrupt the delicate balance of these beneficial bacteria, exacerbating gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea. As you embrace sobriety, nurturing a healthy gut microbiome can play a pivotal role in mitigating digestive problems and enhancing overall health.
Incorporating a diet rich in prebiotic and probiotic foods can help replenish and maintain healthy gut flora. Prebiotic foods, such as garlic, onions, and asparagus, serve as food for beneficial bacteria, promoting their growth. Probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, kefir, and fermented vegetables introduce beneficial strains of bacteria directly into the gut. Together, these dietary changes can support the healing of the gut lining, improve nutrient absorption, and reduce the incidence of alcohol-related diarrhea over time.
Moreover, regular physical activity and managing stress through mindfulness practices can enhance gut health. Yoga and meditation have positively influenced the gut-brain axis, reducing inflammation and promoting a diverse and robust microbiome. As you navigate the recovery journey, remember that healing the gut is integral to the process. Adopting these lifestyle changes can support your body’s natural healing mechanisms, leading to a stronger, more resilient digestive system and a smoother transition to a healthier, alcohol-free life.
About the Author
Dr. Jiseung David Yoon, MD, MPH, is a distinguished physician specializing in addiction medicine and preventive health. He graduated from Loma Linda University with a Medical Doctorate and a Master of Arts in Bioethics and holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Andrews University. Dr. Yoon completed his Addiction Medicine fellowship and Preventive Medicine residency at Loma Linda University.
His professional journey includes pivotal roles as the Medical Director at Aegis Treatment Centers and a Telemedicine Provider at Monument, focusing on alcohol use disorder treatments. Dr. Yoon has also been a Physician for Veteran Evaluations, conducting disability exams for veterans.
Dedicated to community health and global medical outreach, Dr. Yoon has volunteered extensively in Africa and on medical mission trips to Peru. His involvement in educational projects like the ATTAIN Pilot Project at Kaiser Permanente highlights his commitment to innovative health solutions.