Can You Drink Alcohol After Anesthesia?

Anesthesia, one of the world’s greatest medical developments, helps us not feel pain during critical procedures. While a century and a half ago, during the Civil War, alcohol may have been used during amputations, it is a practice of the past (for good reason). 

Procedures that require anesthesia today typically come with clear warnings not to drink beforehand. However, the direction for drinking alcohol after anesthesia is a bit more muddled. To help us practice safe and speedy recovery, let’s get a closer look at what anesthesia is and how drinking after it is not a great idea. 

What Is Anesthesia?

Anesthesia is the use of anesthetic drugs to keep us from feeling pain during medical procedures and surgeries. Anesthetic drugs temporarily inhibit the nerves that send pain signals to our brains until the procedure is over.

Anesthesia can be administered by inhalation, injection, ointment, and sprays. The way it's administered and the level of sedation depends on the type and length of the procedure. Understanding the different types will help us understand when drinking after anesthesia is acceptable. 

Different Types of Anesthesia 

There are four main types of anesthesia: 

1. General anesthesia. General anesthesia is used for major operations. It’s what we commonly think of when we hear anesthesia. As we may have seen in our favorite medical series or movies, it typically involves a face mask, a countdown, and a loss of consciousness. 
2. Monitored sedation. This type is also used for invasive procedures but varies in the depth of sedation. As the name suggests, this type of anesthesia requires monitoring throughout and is commonly used for radiology procedures, biopsies, and colonoscopies.
3. Regional anesthesia.
Regional anesthesia numbs a large part of the body and does not require the loss of consciousness. We can remain awake while the doctor works on the numb part of our body. It is commonly used in childbirth and orthopedic surgeries. 
4. Local anesthesia. This form is similar to regional anesthesia but focuses on a smaller area. It is administered near the surgical site and allows us to stay conscious and alert. Local anesthesia is used in smaller procedures, such as dental work or biopsies.

Different types of anesthesia will impact the safety of consuming alcohol after it’s administered. Let’s take a closer look at how anesthesia and alcohol interact to determine if and when it’s safe to drink after.

How Anesthesia and Alcohol Interact 

Alcohol and anesthesia interact because they act on the same systems in our body. Anesthesia suppresses nerve transmission to our central nervous system. Higher levels of sedation also suppress functions of our nervous system such as our heart rate, circulation, and breathing. Similarly, alcohol depresses messengers in our brain that affect our motor, emotional, and cognitive control. 

Another similarity that causes interactions is how alcohol and anesthesia are metabolized. Both substances are primarily broken down and eliminated by our liver. Anesthesia stays in our system even after some of its effects wear off. When we drink before our body metabolizes the anesthetic, our liver may not be able to keep up — leading to prolonged and compounded impairment. 

Drinking Before Anesthesia

Consuming alcohol before administration of anesthesia can be dangerous. Due to the interactions between the two, the anesthetic may have reduced effectiveness. The amount of sedation is carefully calculated and takes into account many different factors to ensure our safety. When alcohol blocks the effect of the anesthetic, our treating physician may prescribe more, without knowing the full picture. This can cause serious complications with not only the anesthesia but also the procedure itself. 

Alcohol causes acute effects on anesthesia, but chronic drinking is also shown to cause permanent changes to anesthetic tolerance. Research shows that higher levels of anesthesia are needed for successful induction and maintenance of sedation for chronic drinkers. Anesthesia is generally safe, but complications can occur when other factors are involved.

Through its interactions, we can see why drinking before anesthesia is a no-go. But what about after?

Can You Have Alcohol After Anesthesia Wears Off?

The safest wait time depends on the type of procedure and anesthesia administered, but as a rule of thumb, the longer the better. Anesthesia inhibits our nerves and can affect our motor and cognitive function. Although the numbness or sedation may have worn off, the anesthetic drugs take time to be fully eliminated from our body and can continue to impair our normal functions. Anesthesia is also paired with medical procedures that typically require rest and recovery. Drinking after anesthesia can interfere with healing and opens the door to other risks. 

Dangers of Drinking After Anesthesia

With any procedure involving anesthesia, drinking alcohol afterward can greatly increase the risk of complications: 

• Blood thinning.
Alcohol reduces platelet function, which consequently thins our blood. Following a procedure that requires anesthesia and incisions, blood thinning can be extremely dangerous and cause excessive loss of blood. 
• Risk of infection. Our immune system function is decreased when we drink. This directly increases the risk of developing an infection. Many anesthetic procedures are invasive and require incisions, which are highly susceptible to infection.
• Impacts healing. In addition to thinning our blood and increasing the risk of infection, alcohol also impacts healing by increasing inflammation and causing dehydration. This can prolong recovery and lead to negative effects such as increased tiredness and scarring. 
• Interaction with medication. Medication is commonly prescribed following invasive procedures. Analgesics, anti-inflammatory medication, and antibiotics can all interact with alcohol and may impact its effectiveness and cause dangerous side effects.

Due to the numerous risks associated with drinking after anesthesia, it’s generally recommended that we wait at least two weeks after anesthesia to resume drinking alcohol, but it’s best to follow guidance from our practitioners who are most familiar with our medical background. 

Practicing Safe Recovery After Anesthesia

While drinking after anesthesia may not always cause immediate risk, it can still delay the healing process after a procedure. Safe recovery practices lead to optimal healing and get us functioning in less time. We can prioritize safety and healing after recovery with five simple steps:

• Refrain from harmful substances. Harmful substances such as alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drugs only complicate recovery. They harm us when we’re healthy and even more so when we are trying to heal.
• Get adequate rest. Adequate sleep is associated with decreased pain and quicker recovery. Rest also supports tissue growth and regeneration, which helps us heal faster. 
• Stay hydrated. Water aids in all of our body’s functions. When recovering from surgery, proper hydration can help cell growth, flush out waste, and regulate our body temperature. It also helps combat symptoms of dehydration that can aggravate recovery.
• Maintain proper nutrition. This may go without saying, but proper nutrition is essential to our overall health and well-being. Prioritizing nutritious and balanced meals can help our cells and organs return to normal functioning.
• Follow aftercare protocols. Different procedures will require different protocols. Whether it be refraining from intensive movement or avoiding certain foods, specific aftercare instructions are provided to promote optimal healing.

Alcohol and Anesthesia in Review 

Alcohol before anesthesia is a big red flag. Drinking after anesthesia can also be dangerous. While the timeframe of abstinence may vary depending on the type and application, anesthesia and the procedures it’s used for are best left uncomplicated. It’s important to follow specific aftercare instructions, but in general, the longer we wait, the safer we are. We only get one chance to recover correctly, and alcohol can majorly disrupt the process.