Does Alcohol Thin Out Your Blood?

Alcohol brings with it many risks and side effects but as a legal substance, it’s easy to overlook how dangerous alcohol consumption can be, not to mention alcohol addiction. Alcohol reduces things like platelets which has a negative effect on blood cell clotting, something that can carry with it severe medical consequences. Unfortunately this damage happens immediately though it can, thankfully, be reversed with the right level of rehab.

Does Alcohol Thin Out Your Blood?

Yes, alcohol thins out your blood indirectly. Alcohol consumption, even in mild to moderate levels, prevents your blood cells from clumping together to form clots. Alcohol actually stops the production of platelets and the effectiveness of platelets, the things responsible for coagulation or blood formation. As such, chronic or heavy drinking brings with it many life-threatening consequences as a result.

Risks from Alcohol-Induced Blood Thinning

When blood cannot effectively coagulate and platelet production is stopped, it brings with it many risks.

The first risk is increased bleeding from things like minor cuts or bruises. This is of particular concern for an individual who might be under the influence of alcohol as heavy alcohol consumption can also lead to reduced coordination and a higher risk of falls or cuts. When this happens it means that the wound continues to bleed.

The second risk is hemorrhagic stroke. With excessively thin blood, there’s a severe risk of blood vessels bursting in the brain and this results in hemorrhagic stroke, something that can be lethal.

Similarly, the third risk involves gastrointestinal bleeding as alcohol irritates the stomach and intestinal lining. Not only does it cause this irritation but the blood thinning effect means that there’s an elevated risk of ulcers and internal gastrointestinal bleeding.

Those who are taking prescription medications like Warfarin or Coumadin as a blood thinner are at a particularly high risk if they combine those prescriptions with alcohol. The drugs don’t have to be prescription either, over the counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or aspirin can compound the blood thinning effects of alcohol leading to highly toxic problems.

How East Coast Recovery Center Helps Reverse the Damage

At East Coast Recovery Center we help clients reverse the damage both physically and psychologically from chronic alcohol use or abuse with our flexible outpatient programs.

Alcohol withdrawal brings with it risks of severe health complications which is why we often recommend medication assisted treatment where our medical team uses FDA approved medications to reduce alcohol cravings and help manage the withdrawal symptoms in a safe and supportive environment.

After the initial withdrawal has been managed, our clients can transition to our full day treatment program which offers 6 hours per day of clinical sessions that include evidence-based therapies and holistic therapies. During these sessions clients have the opportunity to deal not only with the psychological aspect of addiction but with the health issues that have been caused by alcohol consumption.

Our next level of care is our partial Day program which functions as an Partial Day program with individual and group counseling where our clients learn to establish healthy routines, build relapse prevention skills, and focus on physical health and nutrition.

We also know that many people struggling with alcohol addiction often have an underlying mental health condition, something like untreated trauma, depression, or anxiety and for that reason each of our program levels are available with a dual diagnosis program.

Contact our admissions team to get started.

FAQs

Does Alcohol Thin Your Blood?

Yes, alcohol changes how thick your blood is because it interferes with platelet production. Platelets are responsible for the clotting process or the thickening of your blood. This effect begins immediately after drinking and for those who drink long-term or binge drink, the risk becomes even more pronounced.

Is It Safe To Use Alcohol As A Blood Thinner Instead Of Prescription Medication?

Absolutely not, as thinning your blood intentionally is incredibly dangerous. Not only that, alcohol causes damage to brain chemistry, vital organs, and risks of internal bleeding.

How Long Does It Take For Your Blood To Return To Normal After You Stop Drinking?

Once you stop drinking, your bone marrow starts producing healthy platelets again within the span of a few days but the timeline is contingent on any underlying liver damage and how long you have been drinking. Someone, for example, who has struggled with alcohol use disorder for several years might take longer compared to someone who has only struggled with binge drinking for a few months.

Do I Need MAT for Alcohol Addiction?

This varies from one client to the next but in general medication assisted treatment is most efficacious when used for alcohol addiction treatment or opioid addiction treatment. Alcohol recovery comes with the risk of potentially severe health complications during the withdrawal stage and very strong cravings, but with FDA approved medication, individuals can get help with both of these. Medications used during outpatient therapy can, for example, help an individual stay focused on the lessons that are being taught during individual and group therapy without being overwhelmed by cravings.

Can I Attend Alcohol Rehab While Maintaining My Job Or School Schedule?

Absolutely, in fact, that’s why East Coast Recovery specializes in full day and partial day treatment programs. With each of our outpatient levels of care the goal is to provide clients with a program that suits their needs while also allowing them to attend things like morning or evening sessions around other responsibilities. Those who have career or academic responsibilities or our primary caregivers at home can still find clinical therapy and peer support on a schedule that works around other obligations.

Does Insurance Cover Alcohol Rehab?

All health insurance providers are required to cover basic substance use disorder programs including alcohol addiction treatment. Our team can help evaluate individual needs and insurance options for alcohol treatment.