It’s so important to feel like yourself again after brain surgery and to be a part of normal life. Alcohol is often a part of adult life- especially cultural events. Alcohol use after brain surgery isn’t a one size fits all scenario, so you may need to do some experimenting to find out the right methodology for your life. I will share what I have learned in my life and the sorts of concerns I have heard from others.

It’s important to wait to resume alcohol use until you have made it through the immediate recovery period post-op. You need to make sure you are no longer taking pain medications before you try alcohol again. I also recommend planning for a bit of extra safety measures the first time, like being in a safe and easy to navigate location like at home, just until you see how alcohol impacts you. This is especially true if you have any balance issues.

I have always been very infrequent in my alcohol use. I take a medication that exacerbates the experience of alcohol, so I have pretty much always been a one to two drinks person because that can already feel like a lot for me. My alcohol use since brain surgery has been fairly similar to what I did before surgery. I tend not to have alcohol very often, and when I do, I only have one drink or perhaps two. I have found in the last couple of years I often get a headache when I drink alcohol, but that wasn’t always true after surgery for me. I am not sure if it is directly related or not. I haven’t experimented if different types of alcohol do and don’t produce headaches, as I have heard from others that they experience headaches with wine and some beer but not hard liquor.  I do not have any different balance problems with a little bit of alcohol. So, really, alcohol use hasn’t changed much in my life at all post brain surgery.

I have heard from other people a wide variety of experiences with alcohol after brain surgery. It seems people’s experiences can run the full gamut from exactly the same as pre surgery to not feeling great with alcohol. Balance can be impacted when you partake of alcohol. Sometimes, people feel judged for drinking because they are already not the steadiest on their feet, and the perceived stigma can keep them from feeling comfortable enjoying a beverage. A common complaint that has been shared is that alcohol often increases tinnitus symptoms. Headaches can also be more frequent or more intense post surgery, especially if you are struggling with headaches anyway. One person has mentioned to me that they experience a lot more of a hangover, even with only a small amount of alcohol.  Their guess is this is linked to issues with dehydration, which I discussed here if you want to read more: https://luckybraintumor.com/2024/04/17/got-water-dehydration-and-heat-sensitivity-with-acoustic-neuroma-diagnosis/

Hopefully, if alcohol is something you desire in your life, you are able to enjoy it after your surgery. Be prepared with safety features like good lighting, easy walking surfaces, and a quiet atmosphere for your first attempt. Perhaps drink some extra water to combat any dehydration symptoms. If you do have some unpleasant side effects, next time, try a different kind of alcohol and see if the symptoms persist.