Vertigo after drinking alcohol: what to know

Alcohol can disrupt the brain's processing of movement and balance. It may also contribute to dehydration, low blood sugar after missed food, sleep loss and nausea. The inner ear can become more sensitive to motion, so turning your head or standing may feel unstable. Repeated episodes after small amounts, spinning when rolling in bed, or symptoms that continue when sober should not automatically be blamed on alcohol. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, Meniere's Disease, Middle Ear Infection and Migraine can all involve dizziness, with different accompanying features. The symptom itself is explained in [Vertigo](/symptoms/vertigo/).

Stop drinking, sit or lie on your side if nauseated, and have a sober adult stay with you if you are markedly impaired. Sip water if you can swallow normally and eat a light meal if you have not eaten. Avoid driving, bathing alone, heights and medicines that cause drowsiness unless a clinician has advised them. Record what you drank, when spinning began, whether you had food, and whether symptoms remain after you are sober. A clinician may review medicines, blood pressure, ears, eye movements and balance. Avoid trying the Epley Manoeuvre on your own until positional vertigo has been assessed.

Get urgent help if the person is difficult to wake, breathing abnormally, repeatedly vomiting, having a seizure, confused, or unable to protect their airway. Emergency assessment is also needed for new weakness, numbness, trouble speaking, fainting, chest pain, double vision, a sudden severe headache, or dizziness after a fall or head injury. Contact a clinician if vertigo recurs when sober, lasts longer than expected, or comes with hearing loss or ear pain.

Could alcohol be exposing another balance problem? Do my medicines interact with alcohol or worsen dizziness? Should my hearing, blood pressure or blood sugar be checked? What should I do if spinning returns when I am sober?