Can You Get Drunk From The Alcohol In Mouthwash?

Mouthwash is designed to improve oral hygiene, but it can become a dangerous substance when people drink it to get intoxicated. Some types of mouthwash contain up to 27% alcohol by volume (54 proof), which is stronger than beer or wine. This has led some people with alcohol addiction or those unable to access regular alcohol to misuse mouthwash as a cheap and easily accessible way to get drunk.

Drinking mouthwash is extremely dangerous and poses serious health risks beyond regular alcohol consumption. Mouthwash is classified as “non-beverage alcohol” (NBA), placing it in the same category as aftershave, hand sanitizer, and antifreeze, products never meant to be swallowed. Along with alcohol, mouthwash contains toxic additives like fluoride, hydrogen peroxide, and other chemicals that can poison the body.

While any alcohol carries risks like liver damage and cancer, ingesting mouthwash adds additional dangers including poisoning, organ damage, and even death.

Learn more about ingesting non-beverage alcohol like nail polish remover.

Reasons People May Drink Mouthwash To Get Drunk

People that drink mouthwash typically do it because it is available. They may also purchase and drink mouthwash because they are too intoxicated to buy standard alcohol (where these laws exist) or because they are underage.

Other reasons for drinking mouthwash instead of beer, wine, or liquor include:

• lower cost
• less noticeable in social situations
• inability to purchase because of local laws (regarding time, day, or state of current intoxication)
• a person has an alcohol use disorder
• age restrictions for buying beverage alcohol

Who Is Drinking Mouthwash Instead Of Alcohol?

There are a select few who may actually enjoy the taste of mouthwash as a drink, but that isn’t a majority of people that drink mouthwash and other NBE/NBA products.

Normally, the people that use mouthwash to get drunk lack access to alcohol or have a desperate urge to get drunk.

The groups that may abuse mouthwash are generally:

• teenagers (underage alcohol consumption)
• people with alcohol use disorders

Some people with alcohol use disorders may use NBE in situations where alcohol is either not available or where someone might notice alcohol on their breath.

One study showed that between 10-15% of people with an alcohol use disorder who have been hospitalized for alcohol use have consumed an NBA/NBE.

Dangers Of Drinking Mouthwash

People drink mouthwash for several reasons, though the most common is to get intoxicated when they can’t access or afford regular alcoholic beverages. Individuals struggling with severe alcohol addiction may turn to mouthwash as a desperate attempt to satisfy cravings and prevent withdrawal symptoms.

The high alcohol content in certain brands can produce a quick buzz, and mouthwash is cheap, legal, and easy to buy at any drugstore or convenience store without age restrictions in most places.

Common reasons people drink mouthwash include:

• severe alcohol addiction and inability to access regular alcohol
• attempting to avoid detection by family, employers, or probation officers who monitor alcohol consumption
• lack of money to purchase beer, wine, or liquor
• being underage and unable to legally buy alcoholic beverages
• living in areas with limited alcohol availability, such as dry counties or restricted communities
• homelessness or unstable living situations where storing regular alcohol is difficult
• trying to hide alcohol use because mouthwash doesn’t smell like traditional drinks
• experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms and seeking immediate relief

Regardless of the reason, drinking mouthwash is a sign of a serious problem that requires professional help. The fact that someone would consume a toxic product not meant for ingestion shows the severity of their addiction and the urgent need for treatment.

The varieties of alcohol and additives present in different mouthwash brands can give different effects and intensities of intoxication. However, alcohols like methyl alcohol, often called “wood alcohol”, can cause the most severe reactions that include death.

Getting Help For Alcohol Addiction

When a person resorts to using and abusing substances for purposes other than what they are intended for, it is cause for concern.

If you or a loved one use alcohol excessively or use everyday household items like mouthwash to get drunk, it may indicate an alcohol abuse problem.

Find alcohol addiction treatment today. It’s possible to prevent dangerous alcohol interactions and reactions from non-beverage alcohol with rehabilitation and the right therapy.

Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff