Why do people feel sick after drinking?

Explains why drinking alcohol can cause nausea or vomiting, its impact on teenagers, and provides practical tips to prevent and manage feeling unwell from drinking.

About this article...

  • Suitable for members aged 12-17
  • 6 minute read
  • 1,110 words (2.8 sides of A4)
  • Providing help and guidance on Alcohol and Staying Safe
  • Created and reviewed by our team of experts

Let's get started...

Feeling sick after drinking alcohol is a common experience, but have you ever wondered why it happens? For teenagers, understanding how alcohol affects the body and why it can lead to nausea or vomiting is important. This knowledge can help you make informed decisions about drinking and know how to respond if you or someone else feels unwell after drinking. In this article, we'll explore the reasons why alcohol can make you sick, the real-life impact it has on young people, and practical strategies for dealing with the situation.

Why Does Alcohol Make People Feel Sick?

When you drink alcohol, your body goes through several processes to break it down and eliminate it. These processes can sometimes lead to feelings of nausea or vomiting. Here's why:

1. Irritation of the Stomach Lining

Alcohol irritates the stomach lining, increasing the production of stomach acid. This irritation can cause nausea and, in some cases, vomiting.

2. Dehydration

Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it makes you urinate more often. This can lead to dehydration, a common cause of headaches and nausea after drinking.

3. Toxin Build-Up

As your body breaks down alcohol, it produces a substance called acetaldehyde. This toxin can make you feel unwell until your liver processes it into a less harmful compound.

4. Overloading the Liver

When you drink too much too quickly, your liver struggles to process the alcohol efficiently. This can lead to higher levels of alcohol and toxins in your bloodstream, contributing to nausea and vomiting.

5. Disrupted Balance and Blood Sugar Levels

Alcohol affects the brain's balance and coordination systems, which can make you feel dizzy or nauseous. It also lowers blood sugar levels, leading to feelings of weakness or sickness.

Real-Life Impact on Young People

For teenagers, the effects of feeling sick after drinking can go beyond physical discomfort. Here's how it might impact you:

1. Embarrassment

Vomiting or feeling sick in front of friends can be embarrassing and affect your confidence. This might make social situations involving alcohol more stressful in the future.

2. Missed Opportunities

Feeling unwell after drinking can interfere with important commitments, like school, sports, or family activities, leading to regret and frustration.

3. Strained Relationships

Parents, teachers, or friends may become concerned or upset if they see you unwell after drinking. This can strain trust and communication.

4. Long-Term Health Risks

Repeatedly feeling sick after drinking could signal a pattern of overconsumption, which can harm your health over time. For teenagers, this is particularly concerning as your body and brain are still developing.

What Should You Do If You Feel Sick After Drinking?

If you or someone else feels unwell after drinking, it's important to take action to minimise the effects and stay safe. Here are some practical steps:

1. Stay Hydrated

Drink water or an electrolyte solution to rehydrate your body. Avoid caffeinated drinks like coffee or tea, as they can worsen dehydration.

2. Rest

Find a quiet, comfortable place to lie down and rest. Avoid lying flat on your back if you feel nauseous; lying on your side can help prevent choking if you vomit.

3. Eat Something Light

If your stomach can handle it, eat bland foods like crackers, toast, or bananas to settle your stomach and restore energy.

4. Avoid Further Alcohol

Drinking more alcohol won't help and could make you feel worse. Give your body time to process the alcohol already in your system.

5. Seek Fresh Air

Going outside or opening a window for fresh air can help reduce feelings of dizziness or nausea.

6. Monitor for Serious Symptoms

If you experience severe symptoms like confusion, slow breathing, or passing out, it could be a sign of alcohol poisoning. Call 999 immediately and seek medical attention.

How to Avoid Feeling Sick After Drinking

The best way to avoid feeling sick from alcohol is not to drink at all. However, if you choose to drink, these strategies can help reduce the likelihood of feeling unwell:

1. Drink Slowly

Sipping your drink instead of gulping it helps your body process the alcohol more effectively.

2. Eat Before Drinking

Having a meal before drinking slows alcohol absorption, reducing its impact on your stomach and bloodstream.

3. Stay Hydrated

Alternate alcoholic drinks with water to stay hydrated and minimise the dehydrating effects of alcohol.

4. Know Your Limits

Understand how much alcohol your body can handle and set a personal limit to avoid over drinking.

5. Avoid Mixing Drinks

Drinking a variety of alcoholic beverages in one session can upset your stomach more than sticking to a single type of drink.

What to Do If a Friend Feels Sick After Drinking

If you're with a friend who feels unwell after drinking, here's how you can help:

Why do people feel sick after drinking?
  • Stay with Them: Don't leave them alone, especially if they're vomiting or seem very drunk.
  • Encourage Hydration: Offer water or an electrolyte drink, but avoid giving them coffee or sugary drinks.
  • Help Them Rest: Find a safe, comfortable place for them to recover, ideally on their side to prevent choking if they vomit.
  • Watch for Warning Signs: If they're unresponsive, have difficulty breathing, or show signs of alcohol poisoning, call 999 immediately.

Final Thoughts

Feeling sick after drinking is your body's way of telling you it's overwhelmed by alcohol. For teenagers, it's especially important to understand the risks and effects of drinking, as your body and brain are still developing. By learning why alcohol can make you sick and taking steps to avoid over drinking, you can protect your health and make safer choices. Remember, the best way to avoid feeling sick is to avoid drinking alcohol altogether, and it's always okay to say no.

How are you feeling?

It is really important that when we need help, we feel able to ask for it. This could be speaking to a parent, a close friend, a teacher or someone else you trust. Sometimes it can be really hard to share our feelings with other people but if we are feeling low or don't know where to turn, sharing with others is really important. Teachers will always take you seriously and listen to your problems in confidence if you approach them for help. Likewise, parents, siblings or friends will help you if you reach out to them.

If you feel like you can't speak to anyone you know, there are people and organisations that can help support you:

  • Childline - Call them on 0800 1111 any time of the day or night, every day of the week
  • NSPCC - Call them on 0808 800 5000 between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday or email them on help@NSPCC.org.uk
  • The Samaritans – Call them on 116 123 any time of the day or night, every day of the week
  • SANE – Call 0300 304 7000 for support (4:30pm - 10:30pm every day)
  • Mind – Call 0300 123 3393 (9:00am - 6:00pm Monday to Friday)

*Sometimes we will use real life examples in our articles to aid understanding. When we do, names and ages will be changed.