Can You Drink Rubbing Alcohol? Understanding the Dangers and What Happens If You Do

Rubbing alcohol is a familiar household antiseptic, typically found in medicine cabinets and first aid kits. This clear liquid, known chemically as isopropyl alcohol, effectively cleans wounds and disinfects surfaces. However, rubbing alcohol is not intended for consumption and should never be used like an alcoholic drink. Unfortunately, some people mistakenly believe they can substitute it for drinking alcohol, not realizing that even small amounts are extremely toxic.

If you or someone you know is considering consuming rubbing alcohol due to struggles with alcohol dependence, please know that help is available. Understanding these serious risks is the first step toward making safer choices.

What Is Rubbing Alcohol?

Rubbing alcohol typically contains 70% isopropyl alcohol, used for decades as a disinfectant for skin, wounds, and surfaces. Isopropyl alcohol is chemically distinct from ethyl alcohol (ethanol), the type found in beer, wine, and spirits. While both are alcohols, they have different molecular structures and vastly different effects on the body. Ethanol is processed by the liver in manageable ways. Isopropyl alcohol breaks down into acetone (found in nail polish remover) and is far more toxic.

Higher concentrations, like 90% isopropyl alcohol, evaporate too quickly to properly disinfect and are more irritating to tissues. The 70% concentration provides optimal contact time for killing bacteria and viruses.

Why Would Someone Consider Drinking Rubbing Alcohol?

The decision to drink rubbing alcohol often stems from desperation. Individuals struggling with severe alcohol use disorder may turn to isopropyl alcohol when traditional alcoholic beverages are unavailable due to financial constraints or lack of access. According to poison control centers, isopropanol ingestion is the most common toxic alcohol ingestion, reflecting both the widespread availability of rubbing alcohol and the depth of struggle some individuals face.

Some people genuinely don’t understand the difference between isopropyl alcohol and ethanol. Mental health challenges often intersect with substance use disorders, driving someone to seek relief through dangerous means. Stigma surrounding addiction can prevent people from reaching out for help.

What Happens If You Drink Rubbing Alcohol?

When someone drinks rubbing alcohol, the body absorbs it fast. Approximately 80% is absorbed within just 30 minutes [1]. Once in the bloodstream, it’s metabolized by the liver into acetone, a potent central nervous system depressant [2].

Blood levels peak within 30 minutes to three hours after ingestion, with a half-life (the time it takes for the amount or concentration of a substance in the body to decrease by half) of three to seven hours. The lethal dose is approximately 2 to 4 mL per kilogram of body weight. For an average adult weighing 70 kilograms (154 pounds), as little as 5 to 9 ounces could be fatal. Serious harm occurs at much lower doses.

Physical Effects and Symptoms

Initial effects may resemble ethanol intoxication: euphoria, impaired judgment, loss of coordination, and slurred speech. However, these quickly give way to severe symptoms.

Within a short time, severe dizziness and headaches develop. The gastrointestinal system reacts violently, causing intense abdominal pain, nausea, and repeated vomiting [3]. Diarrhea often follows, and some individuals vomit blood (hematemesis), indicating stomach lining damage.

Central nervous system depression, or a slowing down of the activity in the brain and spinal cord, becomes increasingly evident [4]. Extreme drowsiness, severe confusion, and altered mental state develop. In serious cases, individuals lose consciousness and slip into a coma. Breathing becomes slow and shallow (respiratory depression). Blood pressure drops dangerously low (hypotension), and body temperature may fall (hypothermia). In severe cases, complete cardiopulmonary (heart and lung) collapse can occur, resulting in death.

How Is It Different From Drinking Ethanol?

Isopropyl alcohol produces ketones (acetone) during metabolism, causing ketosis without the metabolic acidosis [2] seen with other toxic alcohol ingestions. If someone has consumed ethanol and then ingests isopropyl alcohol, the ethanol prolongs isopropanol’s half-life because both compete for the same liver enzyme (alcohol dehydrogenase), extending toxicity duration [1].

Isopropyl alcohol is approximately twice as intoxicating as ethanol [3] gram-for-gram, producing more pronounced effects that include all the dangerous poisoning symptoms.

What to Do If Someone Drinks Rubbing Alcohol

If someone has consumed rubbing alcohol, immediate action is essential. Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or dial 911. Be prepared to provide information about how much was consumed, when ingestion occurred, and current symptoms.

Do not induce vomiting. The corrosive nature of isopropyl alcohol means vomiting can cause further tissue damage. If the person is drowsy, vomiting increases aspiration risk (substance entering the lungs).

Keep conscious individuals awake and alert. If unconscious, place them on their side to prevent aspiration. Monitor breathing until medical personnel arrive.

Medical Treatment and Recovery

Treatment focuses on supportive care [4] to maintain vital functions. Healthcare providers assess and stabilize the airway, breathing, and circulation. Gastric decontamination (stomach pumping) is typically not recommended due to rapid absorption.

Treatment involves close monitoring and symptom management. Intravenous fluids maintain hydration and support blood pressure. Healthcare teams continuously monitor vital signs. Antiemetic medications may control severe nausea and vomiting.

Alcohol dehydrogenase inhibitors like fomepizole are not recommended because they prolong intoxication without benefit. Hemodialysis is rarely required but may be considered for persistent hypotension or extremely high serum levels of the alcohol.

Most patients recover within 24 to 48 hours with appropriate medical care. Serious complications can occur with large ingestions or delayed treatment.

Long-Term Effects and Complications of Drinking Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol ingestion can cause lasting complications. The gastrointestinal system often suffers damage, with hemorrhagic gastritis (bleeding stomach inflammation) being common. Severe cases may cause ulceration or stomach perforation.

Neurological effects include persistent cognitive impairment affecting memory, concentration, and decision-making. Some experience neuropathy (nerve damage), which can cause numbness or tingling in the hands and feet.

The liver and kidneys face significant stress processing acetone and toxic metabolites. While acute organ injury may resolve, repeated exposures can contribute to longer-term dysfunction. The psychological impact can be profound, potentially highlighting addiction severity and treatment needs.

Preventing Rubbing Alcohol Misuse

Prevention starts with safe storage. Keep rubbing alcohol in original containers with intact labels, stored securely out of children’s reach. Never transfer into beverage bottles.

Education is powerful. Ensure everyone in your household understands that isopropyl alcohol is toxic and never a substitute for beverage alcohol. Use only as directed, applying to small skin areas as needed.

Recognize that turning to rubbing alcohol signals deeper struggles with alcohol dependence or mental health challenges. This is a clear sign that professional help is urgently needed.

Getting Help for Alcohol Use Disorder

Alcohol use disorder is a medical condition characterized by the inability to control or stop drinking alcohol despite negative consequences. Recovery is absolutely possible with proper support.

Evidence-based treatments help countless individuals reclaim their lives. Medical detoxification provides safe, supervised withdrawal management. Professional counseling helps individuals understand addiction roots and develop coping strategies. Medication-assisted treatment reduces cravings and supports recovery.

At Wellbridge, we understand your challenges. Our compassionate team provides comprehensive treatment, including medical detox, inpatient rehabilitation, and thorough aftercare planning. Taking the first step requires courage, but you don’t have to do it alone. If you or someone you know needs support overcoming alcohol addiction, please contact us for confidential guidance.

Conclusion

Rubbing alcohol is designed solely for external use as an antiseptic. It should never be consumed, as even small amounts are toxic and potentially deadly. Ingesting isopropyl alcohol causes rapid absorption and severe poisoning affecting multiple body systems.

If someone drinks rubbing alcohol, call Poison Control or emergency services immediately. Most people recover within 24 to 48 hours with prompt care.

Prevention involves safe storage, education about toxicity, and recognizing that consuming such substances signals serious underlying struggles requiring compassionate professional support.

Recovery from alcohol use disorder is possible. At Wellbridge, we provide comprehensive, evidence-based treatment in a supportive environment. Our team understands addiction challenges and is here to help you take the first step toward healing and lasting recovery. Please reach out today for confidential guidance. You deserve support, hope, and a healthier life.