Alcohol and Vertigo: The Impact Drinking Has on Balance Disorders

Frequently lose your balance and feel that the room is spinning? Those who haven’t experienced vertigo don’t understand how hard it can be to function normally with these symptoms. 

The good news is that vertigo is just that, a symptom. In every case of vertigo, an underlying cause results in the symptoms. Heavy drinking can impact both brain function and the inner ear. Either of these can cause balance disorders and spatial disorientation, also known as vertigo. 

Vertigo and alcohol use often go hand in hand. Let’s dive into what vertigo is, whether alcohol can trigger or worsen your vertigo symptoms, and ways to manage and eliminate alcohol-induced vertigo.

Table of Contents

• Vertigo: More Than Just Feeling Dizzy
• Can Alcohol Trigger Vertigo? The Relationship Between Alcohol and Spatial Disorientation
• 4 Ways Alcohol Can Increase Your Chances of Experiencing Vertigo
• Things You Can Do to Manage Alcohol-Induced Vertigo 
• Dove Recovery is Here To Support Your Journey To Sobriety

It is a common misconception that vertigo is a standalone condition when it only describes a symptom of another health problem. Vertigo is often incorrectly used to describe any feeling of “dizziness”. In reality, it is the specific sensation of you or your surroundings spinning, resulting in a debilitating loss of balance.

There are two types of vertigo: peripheral and central, and both can be affected by alcohol consumption. Both forms of vertigo can cause: 

• Dizziness 
• Spinning sensation
• Nausea
• Unsteadiness and instability
• Balance loss
• Ringing in the ears

All of these symptoms can be amplified by alcohol consumption. Cutting back on alcohol use or complete sobriety may improve or even eliminate these symptoms.

Peripheral Vertigo

Peripheral vertigo is a form of dizziness or spinning sensation caused by an issue with the inner ear or vestibular nerve. It is the most common type of vertigo. 

Symptoms of peripheral vertigo can also include the following:

• Hearing loss in one ear
• Ringing just in one ear
• Difficulties with vision, in particular with focusing
• Sweating
• Fluctuations in blood pressure

Central Vertigo

Central vertigo is caused by damage or problems impacting the central nervous system, including the brain stem or cerebellum. It is less common than peripheral vertigo, but still a cause of many cases.

Symptoms of central vertigo can also include the following:

• Hallucinations of movement
• Difficulty walking 
• Hearing loss
• Problems focusing your eyes

Yes, absolutely. Alcohol can cause vertigo and exacerbate underlying disorders that can contribute to vertigo. Studies have been conducted that suggest those battling alcohol use disorder are also more likely to experience vertigo. Here are some of the ways that can happen, which will be further explored in the next section:

1. Alcohol can cause dehydration, harming the inner ear structures and impacting balance.
2. Alcohol acts as a depressant to the Central Nervous System (CNS), impacting coordination and balance.
3. Excessive, repetitive use of alcohol can result in permanent brain damage. 
4. Vertigo is a common symptom of alcohol withdrawal in individuals with alcohol dependence. 

#1: Dehydration

Alcohol can act as a diuretic and cause your body to become dehydrated, which affects fluid levels in your inner ear. This disruption can induce peripheral vertigo either by causing your inner ears to be low on necessary fluids and/or by causing an imbalance in the fluid in one ear canal. 

#2: Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressant

Alcohol acts as a nervous system depressant. In simple terms, this means that alcohol slows down brain activity. This can cause muscles to relax and delay signals between the brain and the rest of the body.

Alcohol can have toxic effects on your central nervous system, including your brain, spinal cord, and neurons. Impairment to the CNS can trigger central vertigo. 

#3: Permanent Brain Damage

Excessive, repeated use of alcohol can have permanent effects on your brain and neural pathways. This damage can lead to alcohol-induced brain damage, such as Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, of which a common symptom is vertigo.

#4: Withdrawal

Vertigo is a common symptom of someone going through alcohol withdrawal. In particular, symptoms may present more severely when there is a sudden/abrupt reduction in alcohol consumption. Seek professional help for managing vertigo and alcohol withdrawal.

There are several things you can try to do in the short term to alleviate vertigo, but it is important to look at the big picture and how alcohol consumption is affecting your daily life. 

#1: Limit Alcohol Consumption

Excessive drinking, and in particular alcohol dependence, increases your chances of experiencing vertigo and extending the length of episodes. Conservative moderation can decrease your chances of experiencing vertigo. Abstinence is the best and ideal course for health and recovery from the many symptoms caused by alcohol misuse, including vertigo.

#2: Stay Hydrated

If you choose to drink, ensuring you stay hydrated and your electrolytes are balanced may decrease the risk of peripheral vertigo. Sobriety is often the best choice for maximum improvements to health and wellness.

Hydration is important for healthy balance and coordination, with or without the use of alcohol. Studies have found possible links between dehydration and inner ear issues that impact balance. 

#3: Allow Your Body to Recover

Give yourself enough time in between drinking so your body can rest. Exhaustion, fatigue, and hangovers can worsen vertigo episodes.

In between times when you consume alcohol, make sure you:

• Hydrate with plenty of water
• Sleep enough
• Take vitamin supplements
• Consume healthy, whole foods
• Get some exercise

#4: Seeking Professional Help

Doctors may prescribe antihistamines, antiemetics, benzodiazepines, and anticholinergics to manage vertigo that lasts more than a couple of days — but these are short-term solutions. 

Vertigo also isn’t the only symptom associated with regular alcohol use. For long-term changes, seeking professional recovery treatment is the best option.

 If you know on some level that you have a problem with drinking, we are here to help. Dove Recovery offers effective alcohol rehab in Colombus, Ohio, using a balance of evidence-based methods and compassionate support. 

Dove Recovery offers world-class, effective, evidence-based treatment for alcohol and substance use disorders. We understand the disease and the many implications and stigmas impacting those who suffer from it. 

Our caring and professional staff will guide and support your recovery in a way that can lead to lasting sobriety. You don’t have to suffer any longer from alcoholism and vertigo or any of the other unpleasant symptoms. 

The treatment programs at Dove Recovery in Colombus, OH, are individualized, offering comprehensive and compassionate care with a dual approach prioritizing medical stabilization and emotional support. We are waiting for your call and are ready to help you get your life on track.