Addiction Alcohol Use Does Alcohol Thin Your Blood? By Buddy T Buddy T Facebook Twitter Buddy T is an anonymous writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism. Learn about our editorial process Updated on April 23, 2020 Medically reviewed Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Steven Gans, MD Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print Mel Yates/Stone/Getty Images Drinking alcohol has effects on blood coagulation. If you drink a moderate amount of alcohol, it may have the benefit of acting as a blood thinner and be protective against clotting in clogged arteries, in some ways similar to aspirin. At the same time, alcohol may increase the risk of bleeding-type strokes. It also will interact with prescription anticoagulants such as Coumadin (warfarin). Moderate Drinking and Health Moderate drinking is a balancing act of sorts. If you drink exactly the right amount to be "moderate," it may be better in some health effects than not drinking at all. But if you drink just a tad over the guidelines for moderate, it is much more dangerous than not drinking at all. Even if you hit the sweet spot, moderate drinking is a two-edged sword with some beneficial effects and some negative ones. Precautions Against Drinking Alcohol While Taking Blood Thinners You should limit alcohol consumption while taking anticoagulant blood thinners such as Coumadin (warfarin), as alcohol can potentially increase the risk of bleeding with this prescribed drug. It may also be more difficult for your healthcare providers to determine the correct dosage for the prescribed blood thinner if you also drink alcohol. Also, consider the other prescriptions that you take. Sometimes they interact with blood thinners and alcohol. Follow the precautions and refrain from drinking if that is recommended. Don't Substitute Alcohol for Prescription Blood Thinners Likewise, if you need anticoagulation to reduce health risk, it is unwise to think that drinking alcohol is a substitute for prescribed blood thinners. When your doctor prescribes an anticoagulant such as Coumadin, you will also have your blood tested regularly to ensure you are getting just the right amount of blood thinning. Too little and you aren't protected; too much and you risk bleeding. Contrasting Effects of Alcohol on Coagulation Some studies have shown that moderate drinkers tend to have lower rates of heart disease, but higher rates of bleeding-type strokes than abstainers. "The contrasting effects of alcohol are similar to the effects of blood thinners like aspirin, which clearly prevent heart attacks but at the expense of some additional bleeding strokes," said Kenneth J. Mukamal, a researcher with numerous papers on the effects of alcohol on coagulation and cardiovascular risks. A Word From Verywell Although moderate drinking may have some health benefits, there is risk involved, too. If you don't drink, the risks of developing other problems associated with alcohol may be too great to begin drinking for its limited health benefits. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 5 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Mukamal KJ, Massaro JM, Ault KA, et al. Alcohol consumption and platelet activation and aggregation among women and men: the Framingham Offspring Study. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2005;29(10):1906-12. doi:10.1097/01.alc.0000183011.86768.61 Roth JA, Bradley K, Thummel KE, Veenstra DL, Boudreau D. Alcohol misuse, genetics, and major bleeding among warfarin therapy patients in a community setting. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf. 2015;24(6):619-27. doi:10.1002/pds.3769 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Alcohol use and your health. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Diagnosis and treatment of venous thromboembolism. Larsson SC, Wallin A, Wolk A, Markus HS. Differing association of alcohol consumption with different stroke types: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Med. 2016;14(1):178. doi:10.1186/s12916-016-0721-4 Get Treatment for Addiction Advertiser Disclosure × The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Verywell Mind receives compensation.