Can a person who has sustained a brain injury drink alcohol?

Alcohol consumption following a brain injury is known to impair brain injury recovery and is not recommended. After sustaining a brain injury, many people find they are much more sensitive to the effects of alcohol – specifically its negative impact on cognition and an increase in symptoms of depression. 

For these reasons, staying away from alcohol is strongly recommended to avoid further injury to the brain and to promote as much healing as possible. Please consult your physician prior to drinking any amount of alcohol after a brain injury. Additional information about the risks associated with drinking, how to get help with problems with alcohol and other drug use may be found at the links below:

• Ohio Valley Center for Brain Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation Substance Abuse Information
• TBI Model Systems Fact Sheet on Alcohol Use After Brain Injury

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