Night Sweats After Drinking Alcohol: Causes, Risks, and How to Stop Them



Medically reviewed by: Dr Vasilios Silivistris.DipComp. DipCouns. DipSup. MBACP. BA. MA. FRSH. PhD

Date: 28 August 2025
Written and last updated by: Michael Imonirhua

Many people wake up after drinking alcohol and notice they are sweating more than usual. While sometimes harmless, night sweats after drinking alcohol can signal deeper health issues, including alcohol withdrawal, alcohol intolerance, or even alcohol use disorder.

Alcohol affects the central nervous system, blood vessels, and overall body temperature regulation. This means that both occasional drinkers and those with alcohol dependence may experience unpleasant symptoms like sweating, hot flashes, or chest discomfort a few hours after their last drink.

In this guide, we’ll explore what causes alcohol night sweats, how to recognise alcohol related night sweats, and when to seek professional help.

What Are Night Sweats After Drinking Alcohol?

Night sweats after drinking alcohol are episodes of excessive sweating that occur during sleep following alcohol consumption. Some people may also notice facial redness, facial flushing, or even profuse sweating that soaks through bedding and clothes.

Unlike normal sweating, alcohol induced night sweats often come with other symptoms such as:

  • Rapid heartbeat or palpitations

  • Body tremors

  • Low blood sugar or dizziness

  • Hot flashes followed by chills

  • Dried sweat on skin or sheets

  • Difficulty regulating body temperature

If you frequently experience night sweats after consuming alcohol, it may be a sign of alcohol intolerance, alcohol withdrawal symptoms, or physical dependence.

Alcohol Induced Night Sweats: Why Do They Happen?

There are several reasons why someone might develop alcohol induced night sweats.

Alcohol Metabolism and Body Temperature

Alcohol increases metabolic activity. As the liver processes alcohol, core body temperature rises, leading to excessive sweating.

Central Nervous System Alcohol Effects

Alcohol depresses the central nervous system, interfering with how the brain controls sweat glands and blood flow. This can confuse temperature regulation, causing sweating even when you’re not overheated.

Stress Hormones and Blood Pressure

Alcohol alters stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. This, combined with shifts in blood pressure and blood vessels, may trigger profuse sweating at night.

Alcohol Intolerance

Some people have a genetic condition that makes it difficult to metabolise alcoholic beverages, leading to facial flushing, severe sweating, and sometimes nausea. This form of alcohol intolerance can happen even with moderate alcohol intake.

Withdrawal Symptoms

For those with alcohol dependence or alcohol use disorder, night sweats from alcohol may reflect alcohol withdrawal symptoms. When the body expects alcohol but doesn’t receive it, it reacts with unpleasant symptoms such as:

  • Severe sweating

  • Body tremors

  • Rapid heartbeat

  • Severe withdrawal symptoms like delirium tremens in extreme cases

Alcohol Withdrawal and Night Sweats

Alcohol withdrawal is a common cause of alcohol related night sweats. If your body has developed physical dependence, you may notice sweating just a few hours after your last drink.

Common Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal

Along with night sweats and alcohol, you may experience:

  • Anxiety and panic attacks

  • Hot flashes and chills

  • Body temperature fluctuations

  • Low blood pressure or sudden spikes in high blood pressure

  • Severe symptoms like confusion or hallucinations in cases of acute withdrawal

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, withdrawal symptoms can begin within 6–12 hours of the last drink, with sweating often being one of the earliest common symptoms.

Alcohol Use Disorder and Alcohol Night Sweats

Repeated alcohol sweats and night sweats from alcohol may indicate alcohol use disorder. This condition involves:

  • Loss of control over alcohol intake

  • Continued alcohol use despite health conditions

  • Physical dependence and tolerance

  • Withdrawal symptoms like sweating, tremors, and insomnia

If you are experiencing night sweats regularly after you drink alcohol, it may be a sign of alcohol addiction or long-term alcohol abuse.

Health Risks of Alcohol Related Night Sweats

Alcohol’s effects extend beyond sweating. Regular alcohol night sweats can signal deeper health risks.

Cardiovascular Disease and Blood Flow

Excessive alcohol use affects the circulatory system and blood flow, increasing risks of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and irregular heart rhythms.

Alcohol Detox and Severe Symptoms

People attempting alcohol detox without medical guidance may experience profuse sweating, severe withdrawal symptoms, or even life threatening complications such as delirium tremens.

Mental Health Effects

Alcohol addiction can worsen mental health, leading to anxiety, depression, and stress hormone imbalances that contribute to sweating.

How to Stop Night Sweats from Alcohol

If you want to stop drinking alcohol or reduce alcohol sweats, here are some practical steps:

  1. Reduce or quit alcohol – the most effective way to stop night sweats after drinking alcohol.

  2. Plan alcohol-free days – regular breaks reduce strain on your sweat glands and body temperature regulation.

  3. Eat a balanced diet – avoid excess salt and processed foods to lower blood pressure.

  4. Stay hydrated – dehydration makes unpleasant symptoms worse.

  5. Seek professional support – supervised detox process ensures safety.

Treatment Options for Alcohol Induced Night Sweats

If you cannot manage your alcohol use disorder alone, professional help is available:

When to Seek Immediate Medical Care

Seek immediate medical care if you notice:

  • Profuse sweating with chest pain

  • Body tremors and confusion

  • Delirium tremens symptoms

  • Fainting, severe anxiety, or hallucinations

These may indicate severe withdrawal symptoms or life threatening complications.

FAQs About Night Sweats and Alcohol

Can one drink cause alcohol sweats?
Yes. Even one alcoholic beverage may cause alcohol intolerance reactions like facial flushing and excessive sweating.

Do night sweats mean I have alcohol withdrawal?
Not always. They may be related to alcohol intolerance, binge drinking, or alcohol metabolism. But if you regularly experience night sweats after your last drink, it may be part of alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

How long do night sweats from alcohol last?
They can last a few hours to several nights, depending on your alcohol use and whether you’re in the detox process.

Does quitting alcohol stop night sweats?
Yes, for most people. If you still experience night sweats after you stop drinking alcohol, consult a family doctor to rule out other health conditions.

Final Thoughts

Night sweats after drinking alcohol are more than a minor inconvenience – they may reflect deeper alcohol withdrawal, alcohol intolerance, or alcohol dependence. If you are experiencing night sweats regularly, it may be time to consider professional alcohol detox or alcohol addiction treatment.

By reducing your alcohol consumption, managing common symptoms, and seeking professional guidance, you can begin your recovery journey and protect your long-term health.

Visit our Home Detox service to learn how we can help you manage alcohol sweats safely and confidentially.

Taking small steps today – such as cutting back, adding alcohol-free days, or considering a structured detox program – can make a big difference in your long-term heart health and wellbeing.


Source:https://www.home-detox.co.uk/night-sweats-after-drinking-alcohol-causes-risks-and-how-to-stop-them/

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