Understanding Alcohol & Your Health While Travelling
When relaxing by the pool, enjoying local wines or celebrating a special occasion, alcohol is often part of the holiday experience. For many people, drinking in moderation is unlikely to cause problems. However, when you are travelling, alcohol can affect your health & safety in ways you may not expect (1).
Understanding these effects can help you make informed choices & enjoy your trip while protecting your wellbeing.
Why Alcohol Affects You Differently When Travelling
Travel places additional demands on your body. Long flights, hot climates, changes in routine & disrupted sleep can all contribute to dehydration & fatigue.
Alcohol can:
Increase dehydration, particularly in hot weather.
Affect your balance & coordination.
Impair judgement & decision-making.
Disrupt sleep, making jet lag worse.
Increase your risk of accidents & injuries.
Reduce your awareness of unfamiliar surroundings.
Even small amounts of alcohol may have a greater impact when you are tired, dehydrated or at altitude (2).
Alcohol & Medications
One of the most important considerations before travelling is whether alcohol is safe to consume alongside your medication.
Alcohol can interact with many commonly prescribed medicines (3), including:
Pain relief medications, particularly opioids.
Sleeping tablets & sedatives.
Anti-anxiety medications.
Antidepressants.
Some antibiotics.
Diabetes medications & insulin.
Blood-thinning medications.
Some antihistamines.
Epilepsy medications.
Certain blood pressure medications.
These interactions may increase side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness or impaired coordination, reduce the effectiveness of your medication or, in some cases, cause more serious health complications.
Before travelling, always:
Read the patient information leaflet (4).
Check whether alcohol is safe with your medication.
Speak with your pharmacist or healthcare professional if you're unsure.
Managing a Health Condition While TravellingIf you are living with a long-term health condition, alcohol may also affect how well your condition is managed (5).
For example:
People with diabetes may experience changes in blood glucose levels.
Individuals with epilepsy may find alcohol increases seizure risk.
Those with liver disease may be advised to avoid alcohol altogether.
Alcohol can worsen dehydration, which may affect many chronic health conditions.
Your healthcare professional can advise what is appropriate for your individual circumstances.
Staying Healthy on Holiday
Enjoying your holiday does not have to mean avoiding alcohol completely. Instead, consider a balanced approach (6):
✔️ Alternate alcoholic drinks with water.
✔️ Never drink on an empty stomach.
✔️ Be mindful of the strength of local alcoholic beverages.
✔️ Avoid excessive alcohol before swimming or participating in adventure activities.
✔️ Keep your medication schedule consistent.
✔️ Know your own limits & do not feel pressured to drink.
Small decisions can make a significant difference to how you feel during your trip.
Travel Well. Feel Well.
At Journeys For Health, we believe good travel planning includes understanding how your health, medications & destination may interact.
If you are managing a long-term health condition, travelling with medication or simply wanting to feel your best while away, taking a little time to prepare can help you enjoy your holiday with greater confidence.
Travel should leave you with lasting memories & not preventable health problems.
Disclaimer
This article provides general travel health information & should not replace personalised medical advice. If you have a medical condition, take prescription medication or are unsure whether alcohol is safe for you, consult your GP, pharmacist or healthcare professional before travelling.
References
1. Drinkaware. (2025). UK low-risk drinking guidelines. Available at: https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/facts/information-about-alcohol/alcohol-and-the-facts/low-risk-drinking-guidelines
2. Department of Health and Social Care. (2016). Alcohol consumption: advice on low risk drinking. GOV.UK. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/alcohol-consumption-advice-on-low-risk-drinking
3. National Health Service (NHS). Medicines information. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/
4. Electronic Medicines Compendium (emc). Patient Information Leaflets (PILs). Available at: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc (for checking alcohol interactions and medicine-specific advice).
5. NHS Inform. (2025). Low-risk drinking guidelines. Available at: https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/alcohol/low-risk-drinking-guidelines/
6. UK Chief Medical Officers. (2016). UK Chief Medical Officers' Low Risk Drinking Guidelines. Available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a80b7ed40f0b623026951db/UK_CMOs__report.pdf
