[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2018\/09\/recovering-from-concussion\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2018\/09\/recovering-from-concussion\/","headline":"Recovering from a Concussion? Avoid Caffeine, Alcohol \u2014 and Yes, Illicit Drugs!","name":"Recovering from a Concussion? Avoid Caffeine, Alcohol \u2014 and Yes, Illicit Drugs!","description":"If you have a concussion, drinking caffeine or alcohol, or using illicit drugs, can play havoc with your recovery.","datePublished":"2018-09-17","dateModified":"2021-03-23","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/sports-medicine-regions","name":"Sports Medicine","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/sports-medicine-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/sports-medicine\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/hydration_tips_athletes.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/hydration_tips_athletes.jpg","height":527,"width":791},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2018\/09\/recovering-from-concussion\/","about":["Concussion","Health Topics A-Z","Sports Medicine"],"wordCount":364,"keywords":["alcohol","caffeine","concussion","concussion recovery"],"articleBody":"If you have a concussion, drinking caffeine or alcohol, or using illicit drugs, can play havoc with your recovery.Concussion RecoveryA concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) that makes the brain highly sensitive and vulnerable to the effects of these substances, explains Alicia Sufrinko, PhD, a clinical neuropsychologist with the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program.\u201cAlcohol and illicit drugs \u2014 from marijuana to opioids and psychedelics \u2014 particularly affect the body\u2019s central nervous system. Although we don\u2019t yet have well-controlled studies, we do know that some drugs damage or kill brain cells, which may make recovery from concussion take longer or make it more complicated,\u201d she says. \u201cThey can impact your judgment, balance, and coordination, putting you at increased risk of falls and other injuries \u2014 including further head injury.\u201dSome important facts you should know:High levels of caffeine can cause dehydration and disrupt your sleeping patterns, both of which can affect your recovery. Caffeine can be found in coffee, tea, sugary energy drinks, some sodas, and even chocolate.Use of alcohol and illicit drugs may increase your risk of developing depression. In the first year after injury, brain injury patients are eight times more likely to develop depression. Both drugs and alcohol can reduce the effectiveness of anti-depressant medication, too.Alcohol and illicit drugs can magnify the cognitive problems often caused by a concussion. Issues with concentration, memory, problem solving, learning new information, and thinking can be heightened by their use.Illicit drugs may have impure or unknown substances in them that can put you at risk. Street drugs are always dangerous and shouldn\u2019t be used. That\u2019s even more significant for those with a concussion.\u201cThe bottom line: Limit your caffeine to your normal pre-concussion routine, unless it\u2019s excessive, and don\u2019t drink it late in the day. Alcohol is off limits until your concussion expert okays you to do so,\u201d advises Dr. Sufrinko. \u201cAnd while illicit drugs should always be avoided, that\u2019s especially true during this important time of healing for your brain.\u201dIf you or someone you know is struggling with drug addiction, please call the National Institute on Drug Abuse at 800-662-HELP(4357)."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2018","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2018\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"09","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2018\/\/09\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Recovering from a Concussion? Avoid Caffeine, Alcohol \u2014 and Yes, Illicit Drugs!","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2018\/09\/recovering-from-concussion\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]