Drinking after a TBI

[Brian]

Hey everyone,

I'm 21 and suffered a TBI on 11/7/04 (about 4.5 years ago). I'm now a Junior at Penn State and am doing great. I hover around a 3.5-3.6 GPA every semester and am quite involved in different clubs. My athletic ability (or, mainly my right side) is not what it was pre-accident and will likely never be, but otherwise everything is going pretty well.

Now that we have some background information out of the way, my question is about alcohol and the brain. I like to go to the bars or different house parties with my friends on the weekends. I usually buy a pitcher of beer or a few drinks to sip on socially for the night. Occasionally I will drink more, but I've been trying to keep that to a minimum recently.

I have not had any negative effects (my brain power or loss of functionality), but realize that alcohol and brain injuries are not the best combination. Does anyone here do the same, or drink at all post-injury? Should I stop drinking completely, or is a pitcher a night or two a week fine? (Keep in mind that once I settle in after college and have a job, this will end. Just at college bars are the social scene and I enjoy it right now).

I realize this isn't a professional neurology forum, but any opinions are appreciated.

Thanks!

[Patrick]

Geo-

I know the feeling.

Per my neurologist, I may have one alcoholic beverage (preferably 8 oz. Irish Creme) per 30-day period.

Some friends say, "Why bother?" 

[Safiya Major]

Drinking is dangerous even to those without a brain-injury;it's a poison.It feels good and when done in moderation can be perfectly fine but one should take supreme precaution after a brain-injury when drinking.Many people with brain-injuries such as myself take medication too fro mental-illness and often times psychoactive-medication does not react well with booze.Not only does it not react well but it can cause death and other complications being mixed together with other substances and I've read(I do not know if this is true) but people with brain-injuries can black-out much more easily with alchohol and be harmed.Also many people with brain-injuries can't inhibit their behaviours and cannot drink in moderation and as such their behaviour is erratic and impulsive.

I personally drink however I stick to only getting drunk once a week or so and in the company of good friends and wait several-hours after my scheduled-time to take my medication so they do not interact with each other.By the way for good measure do not smoke pot while on prescribed-psychoactive medications and drinking.It leads to horrible trips,vomiting,hallucinations,wooziness and eventually you black out.

I know from experience how bad drinking with a brain-injury can be;in the first few months after I turned 21 I would drink nearly constantly with friends daily and that almost always lead to blackouts.

[Debbie Wilson]

Ron you are being very smart. I was always cautious about drinking cause both parents were alcoholics. Then the BI and seizures. I know I cannot drink without lowering my already lowered seizure threshold. You sound like a great friend! statistically about 90% self medicate. If you have seizures it is not an option. I drank a couple of glasses of wine Dec 12th. I ended up on a respirator with a seizure that caused my heart to stop. I was able to be brought back this time but that letting my guard down when I knew the facts was stupid on my part and I won't repeat it. I like you have been the designated driver, with my BI and seizures it was much safer. 
Ron Grigsby said:

Hey brother, i was hit in iraq 3-21-07 and my last beer was with dinner the night before. my docs have told me the alcohol effects the brain chemicals and I could have a seizure. I have seen others go down that road and I will not take that chance. I am now the driver for the other's. It is more fun seeing them make a clown of there selfs. If you'r buddies ask, tell them the drinking could do that and they will not think different of you. Drive on and I do not miss drinking one bit. The others pay for my gas, dinner etc. and they can get crazy, they know I will get them home.

Ron

[Dj Asselin - bionicbeachboy]

I see no reason not to have fun while out with friends.  A few beers or a glass of nice red wine before bed seems to make me sleep better than these pharmaceutical pills.  You must know your limits and agree with all those that state you should never drink while on medication.

[Brenda Bell]

The major part of the CNS(central nervous system) is the brain. Drugs of abuse and alcohol do what they do by stimulating parts of the brain.When alcohol and drugs are ingested they effect the whole brain so you cannot have the "good" effects without experiencing some of the "bad" effects.When the brain is bathed by addictive substances, behavior becomes very erratic and out of control.Most of these substances "disinhibit" the brain. This means that the usual inhibitions and social constraints are not in place, so that the person "shoots off the mouth," acts out their anger and is socially inappropriate.When people take addictive substances, their brain is affected in much the same way and, of course,they are"not themselves" and therefore acting in inappropriate ways. Drug addicts and alcoholics truly experience a more intense "high" because their reward center is overly sensitive or reactive to certain chemicals. Ask a non-alcoholic how alcohol makes them feel, and they will give an answer such as"Oh, it makes me feel kind of loose and giddy - calmer and uninhibited maybe, but at three or four drinks, I start to feel dizzy and out of control so I quit." An alcoholic will answer "It makes me feel GOOD and four drinks is great - five drinks is better and six is better still so I keep drinking and lose count." The alcoholic's reward center is very stimulated; it says "Do IT AGAIN" repeatedly; they feel great; this primitive part of the brain is running the show and they become out of control. And what is more dangerous, the brain is disinhibited and the vital neocortical functions including insight and judgement are impaired by these chemicals. One author said the brain gets "hijacked" by drugs and alcohol. This is according to Dr William Loving,MD. This is a doctor who had treated me in my alcoholism/brain injury.

 

[Paula L Florentine]

Hi. I suffered a basal skull fracture and 2 concussions in January and June, 2008. I was 53 at the time and will be 58 this month. I like beer and all alcohol. I have made 2 trips to the hospital becasue I passed out and stop breathing. I take seizure, anxiety, and anti -depressant medication everyday-I learned the hard way you cannot combine any medication you take for head injury and any alochol-my heart almost stopped in the hopital because I drank 4 beers and had just taken my seizure medication half hour before-so, medications for head injury and alcohol do not mix-now, I do not drink any alcohol. If you take prescription drugs for head injury drinking could be very hazerdous to you. Take Care and God Bless You , Paula in Idaho

 

[Tony Harewood]

After many years of 'living (drinking) according to expectations', I began a trial of not drinking. Whether I also had a lot to concentrate on, or I was living up to other's POV - I had calmed myself heaps. If & when I do return to drinking, it will be more gradual & measured.

[Kerry Mischka]

This is the curse of free volition....no one is going to stop you if you are of age, but the choice is yours to make and we all have to live with the consequences of our choices whether it is to have a drink or something else that can potentially hurt us.  Everyone make your own choices....you will be held responsible if it is the wrong choice.

[Kerry Mischka]

Tony, I wish I was in Australia.....no one has any expectations of me there.....YET!!!!  My expecations are on God....He is the only one I can please and be loved by perfectly.  We will never meet up to anyones expectations this side of heaven.  Can you transport me now (ha,ha).......
 
Tony Harewood said:

After many years of 'living (drinking) according to expectations', I began a trial of not drinking. Whether I also had a lot to concentrate on, or I was living up to other's POV - I had calmed myself heaps. If & when I do return to drinking, it will be more gradual & measured.

[Grant Kenney]

I am now 9 months out of my injury and have been told by my neurologist and nero surgeon I am at a low risk for seizure. I have had drinks here and there and the most in one night has been 3, yet I have not felt the alcohol nor have I had any side effects. I use to drink a lot before my accident but now I think it is best to drink casually. From what I have experienced with drinking a little bit here and there and not having any side effects nor feeling any of the effects of alcohol I would think I am ok to drink casually. Id appreciate any opinions... ?

Thanks