I am a ex alcoholic and drug user. I had a stroke about 12 months ago. Is it safe for me to drink Stella lager only twice a week about five times session?

Hi Liz,

Sorry to hear of your recent stroke and we hope you are getting support during this challenging time. If you have remained abstinent from drugs and alcohol this far, well done. It must have taken a lot of effort.

It would be best to address this concern with your doctor to discuss if and when you can drink alcohol and if so, how much.

You may like to read the Alcohol after stroke fact sheet | Stroke Foundation - Australia here. Some main key points include:

• Drinking alcohol can increase your risk of having another stroke.
• Alcohol can increase the impact of changes to your speech, thinking, vision and balance caused by your stroke. If fatigue is an issue for you, alcohol may make it worse.
• Alcohol can interfere with some medicines. It can be harmful if you are taking warfarin.
• If you want to drink less or stop drinking alcohol, there are strategies you can use. If you need support, speak with your doctor. There are services that can help.

If you are considering how to drink less or stop drinking, we highly encourage you to speak with your doctor. The doctor can explore medication, treatment, or counselling services to support your endeavour.

Kind regards,

StrokeLine