People have used alcohol to relieve pain since ancient times. Laboratory studies confirm that alcohol does indeed reduce pain in humans and in animals. Moreover, recent research suggests that many people experiencing chronic pain turn to alcohol to alleviate their suffering. Despite this, using alcohol to alleviate pain places people at risk for a number of harmful health consequences.
Using alcohol to relieve your pain: What are the risks?
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Authors & Citation
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2026). Using alcohol to relieve your pain: What are the risks? National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD. https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/using-alcohol-to-relieve-your-pain