Worried About the Effect of Alcohol on Diabetes?
The relationship between alcohol and diabetes is a complicated one. Drinking alcohol does not directly cause diabetes, but drinking large amounts often can raise your risk. In this article, we’ll look at how alcohol addiction affects people with diabetes. You should always seek advice from a GP or health professional who can assess your needs on an individual basis. The team at CATCH Recovery can help with concerns around alcohol misuse, which may in turn impact conditions like diabetes. However, we do not treat diabetes itself.
What Is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a long-term health condition that makes it harder for the body to control blood sugar levels. Normally, insulin helps move glucose from the bloodstream into cells, where it is used as energy to fuel the body. There are two main types of diabetes – type 1 and type 2.
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a condition where the immune system attacks and destroys the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. By the time type 1 diabetes is diagnosed, the vast majority of these cells have been destroyed. It can develop at any age, but type 1 diabetes is mostly diagnosed in children and teenagers.
People with type 1 diabetes need to check their blood sugar every day to stay healthy and avoid problems. They may take glucose tablets to increase their blood sugar and will need to take insulin for life, using injections, a pen, or a pump.1,2
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is more common than type 1 diabetes, especially in adults. For sufferers with type 2 diabetes, cells in their body gradually become less responsive to insulin. This means that, over time, they can have trouble producing enough insulin to maintain normal blood sugar levels.
Type 2 diabetes typically arises due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors, such as excess weight and a lack of physical activity. It is often managed through lifestyle changes that individuals can implement at home. In some cases, oral medications or insulin therapy may be required to manage blood glucose levels.3
Can Drinking Alcohol Cause Diabetes?
Chronic heavy drinking carries with it many symptoms and risks when it comes to personal health. Alcohol can disrupt blood sugar regulation and increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by reducing insulin sensitivity. Chronic alcoholism and diabetes 4 can be linked, as alcohol also raises the risk of low blood sugar levels, known as hypoglycaemia, as the liver focuses on processing alcohol instead of releasing glucose into the bloodstream.
If you have diabetes, alcohol can cause severely low blood sugar levels, especially if it is consumed without eating food. According to HSE, ‘Alcohol and Diabetes‘, the risk of experiencing hypoglycaemia, also known as a ‘hypo’, can persist for up to 24 hours after drinking. The typical symptoms of alcohol consumption, such as drowsiness or slurred speech, can mask the signs and symptoms of hypoglycaemia. This can make it harder to recognise and easier to dismiss or ignore.4,5
For those taking insulin or other medications to control diabetes, such as sulphonylureas, the risk of hypoglycaemia is higher. If you are unsure about how alcohol may interact with your diabetes medications or how it will impact your blood sugar level, consult your healthcare provider for guidance and how to drink safely, if at all.5,6
Pancreatitis and Long-Term Alcohol Misuse
Your pancreas is a gland located just behind your stomach that plays a key role in digestion; releasing enzymes to break down your food. It also produces hormones, like insulin.7
When the pancreas becomes inflamed – a condition called pancreatitis – it can lead to serious complications, such as sepsis and shock. There are two types of pancreatitis: acute and chronic. Acute pancreatitis occurs when someone experiences short-term symptoms of pancreatitis, for example, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting. In cases of chronic pancreatitis, you experience bouts of symptoms over a longer period of time.
Drinking alcohol increases your risk of developing acute and chronic pancreatitis. In fact, long-term heavy alcohol use is the single greatest risk factor for developing chronic pancreatitis, accounting for around 40-70% of cases. Although heavy alcohol use is the leading risk factor, it is an indirect cause of this condition. Alcohol makes the pancreas more prone to damage from other factors, such as your genetics, smoking and the presence of infections or autoimmune diseases.
Acute pancreatitis may resolve independently or with medication, but repeated episodes often lead to chronic pancreatitis, causing lasting damage. Continuing to drink after an acute episode can increase the likelihood of future attacks and can make them more severe. Those who go on to develop chronic pancreatitis are also at risk of serious complications, like pancreatic cancer and diabetes.
If you consume alcohol, over time it raises the risk of pancreatic damage, even if it is not a direct cause. The good news is that cutting down on alcohol is one of the most effective ways to prevent recurrent attacks.8,9
Alcohol Misuse and Weight Gain
Heavy drinking or binge drinking can add excess calories and raise blood pressure, making weight management more difficult. Excess weight and body fat percentage can increase your risk of developing obesity and related conditions, like diabetes.
To combat this, exercise guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity each week. Participating in aerobic exercises, like cycling, walking or jogging, throughout the week can be helpful in preventing diabetes. By improving blood sugar control and insulin sensitivity, these exercises can also help manage type 2 diabetes. If you are concerned about weight gain and the associated health risks, exercise with behaviour and diet changes to manage your calorie intake can help.10-12
Should I Drink if I Am Diabetic?
If you are diabetic, monitoring your intake of alcoholic drinks and drinking habits closely is crucial to ensuring you stay healthy. Elevated glucose levels must be brought down and you should stick to moderate amounts and contact your healthcare provider to find out what they recommend. Although recommended limits are the same as for the general population, it is essential to take extra caution. Staying aware of how alcohol impacts your blood sugar levels can help you manage your condition more effectively.
Here are some tips for drinking more safely with diabetes:
- Moderate your alcohol intake.
- Avoid drinking on an empty stomach: Alcohol can reduce blood sugar levels, so it’s important to eat before or after drinking alcohol.
- Choose low-calorie drinks and mixers: Go for options like water, club soda, diet soda or slimline mixers instead of sugary ones.
- Avoid drinks with a high alcohol content: Strong ciders, beers or lagers with a higher alcohol content can lower blood sugar levels.
It is important to avoid alcohol if your blood sugar is already low or if you are actively working on weight loss.
Following these tips can help you enjoy alcohol in moderation, whilst helping to regulate your blood sugar levels.13
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Talking To a Professional Always Helps
If you are concerned about how alcohol can affect your diabetes or you are not sure how much alcohol is safe to consume, speaking with a healthcare professional can provide valuable support. Your GP can offer practical advice if you are struggling to stay within recommended alcohol limits or are worried about your diabetes risk.
If you are struggling with alcohol addiction, the team at CATCH Recovery are available to provide helpful advice and support. We provide addiction therapy both in-person and online, including online treatment for alcohol addiction. Contact us today to find out how we can help you explore your relationship with alcohol or other substances and empower you to make informed decisions about alcohol misuse.
If you or someone you know is feeling suicidal as a result of alcohol use, it is important to seek help. Helplines such as NHS 111 and Samaritans are always available to provide support to those feeling down or desperate.
What’s Next?
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References
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- Whiteman H, Basina M. How does diabetes affect children and teenagers? https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/284974. [Accessed January 2025].
- Nakrani MN, Wineland RH, Anjum F. Physiology, Glucose Metabolism. Internet: StatPearls Publishing; 2023. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560599/.
- Kim SJ, Kim DJ. Alcoholism and Diabetes Mellitus. Diabetes Metab J. 2012;36(2): 108-15. doi: 10.4093/dmj.2012.36.2.108.
- Health Service Executive (HSE). Alcohol and diabetes. https://www2.hse.ie/living-well/alcohol/health/physical-health/diabetes/. [Accessed January 2025].
- van Dalem J, et al. Risk of hypoglycaemia in users of sulphonylureas compared with metformin in relation to renal function and sulphonylurea metabolite group: population based cohort study. BMJ. 2016;354: i3625. doi: 10.1136/bmj.i3625.
- Jewell, Tim. (2018). What Does the Pancreas Do? https://www.healthline.com/health/what-does-the-pancreas-do. [Accessed January 2025].
- Herreros-Villanueva M, et al. Alcohol consumption on pancreatic diseases. World J Gastroenterol. 2013;19(5): 638-47. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i5.638.
- Klochkov A, et al. Alcoholic Pancreatitis. Internet: StatPearls Publishing; 2023. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537191/.
- Traversy G, Chaput JP. Alcohol Consumption and Obesity: An Update. Curr Obes Rep. 2015;4(1): 122-30. doi: 10.1007/s13679-014-0129-4.
- Kirwan JP, Sacks J, Nieuwoudt S. The essential role of exercise in the management of type 2 diabetes. Cleve Clin J Med. 2017;84(7 Suppl 1): S15-21. doi: 10.3949/ccjm.84.s1.03.
- Shelton, Nicola Jane., and Knott, Craig. S. (2013). Association Between Alcohol Calorie Intake and Overweight and Obesity in English Adults. https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/full/10.2105/AJPH.2013.301643. [Accessed January 2025].
- University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust. Food Fact: Diabetes and Alcohol. https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/food-fact-diabetes-and-alcohol/. [Accessed January 2025].