If you’re hearing about drinking mouthwash to get drunk, you’re not alone—and it’s more common than many think. People turn to it when alcohol is hard to get, when they’re trying to hide use, or when cravings feel out of control. This is mouthwash alcohol abuse, and it’s dangerous. Many mouthwashes contain 20–25% alcohol—plus other chemicals that can burn the stomach, damage the liver, and spike the risk of poisoning. In the U.S., alcohol already contributes to over 140,000 deaths each year. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “The first wealth is health.” Let’s talk about what’s really happening and how to get help.
Why People Are Drinking Mouthwash to Get Drunk
Some teens try it on a dare. Some adults reach for it when money is tight, when they’re in settings with limited access to beverage alcohol, or when they want to avoid the smell of liquor. Others are in recovery and relapse when cravings hit. Mouthwash is cheap, everywhere, and flavored—so it can seem “clean.” But it’s not.
A typical 16–17 oz (about 500 mL) bottle at ~20–25% alcohol can equal roughly 5–7 standard drinks of pure alcohol. The sweet, minty taste makes it easy to swallow too much, too fast. And unlike beer or wine, you’re also getting essential oils, dyes, detergents, and other additives that your stomach and liver don’t want.
Mouthwash Alcohol Abuse: Risks, Side Effects & Overdose
Stomach and gut injuries. High-proof alcohol plus harsh ingredients can burn the lining of your mouth, throat, and stomach. People report vomiting, bleeding, and ulcers after binges. Repeated use raises the chance of gastritis and pancreatitis.
Liver stress. Your liver breaks down alcohol—and it also has to deal with the other solvents and flavoring agents in mouthwash. Heavy use can raise liver enzymes, worsen fatty liver, and speed the path to alcohol use disorder.
Heart and breathing risks. Alcohol can slow breathing and heart rate at high doses. Add dehydration and vomiting, and the risk of alcohol poisoning goes up. In severe cases people pass out, choke, or stop breathing.
Drug interactions. Alcohol in mouthwash can interact with medications (sleep meds, benzodiazepines, opioids, antidepressants), raising the risk of blackouts, falls, or overdose. If the product also contains hydrogen peroxide or strong antiseptics, irritation and inflammation can be worse.
Injuries and legal trouble. People use mouthwash to “hide” drinking before work or school. That can still lead to DUI, falls, fights, or job loss. The mint smell may mask alcohol on the breath for a bit, but it does not prevent impairment—or a positive test.
By the numbers. Emergency rooms treat thousands of alcohol-poisoning cases each year. Mouthwash binges are a known part of this picture in some communities and institutions, and they carry greater medical risk than the same amount of alcohol in a beverage because of the extra chemicals.
Overdose signs (call 911 now):
- Confusion, can’t wake up, or passing out
- Slow, irregular breathing, blue or pale skin
- Seizures, vomiting that won’t stop, or inhaling vomit
While you wait for help, roll the person on their side and keep the airway clear. Do not give coffee, cold showers, or more substances.
Who’s at Risk—and Red Flags to Watch For
Who’s at risk?
- People with alcohol use disorder who are trying to hide use or who have limited access to beverage alcohol
- Teens or college students experimenting after seeing “hacks” online
- People in institutional settings (dorms, shelters, jails) where mouthwash is easier to get than liquor
- Anyone with depression, anxiety, or high stress, using alcohol to cope
Red flags:
- Empty mouthwash bottles in bedrooms, cars, backpacks, or trash
- Strong mint smell at odd hours; “gargling” far more than normal
- Stomach pain, vomiting, mouth sores, or blood in vomit
- Missed work or school, memory gaps, risky behavior, or hiding products
- Mixing mouthwash with soda or juice in cups or water bottles
If you recognize yourself or someone you love in this list, it’s a signal—not a sentence. There’s a safer path forward.
Help That Works (Plus a Spot for Your True Stories Video)
Medical checkup (start here).
Tell a clinician what, how much, and how often. They can check liver enzymes, hydration, blood pressure, and stomach irritation, and help you plan a safe taper or quit strategy.
Care levels that fit your life.
- Outpatient counseling if you’re stable and have support
- Intensive Outpatient (IOP) / Partial Hospitalization (PHP) when structure helps you break patterns while sleeping at home
- Residential rehab if home isn’t safe or withdrawal is severe
Many programs are insurance-accepted and can verify benefits up front.
Medications for alcohol use disorder (when appropriate).
FDA-approved medications can reduce cravings and lower relapse risk. Ask about options like naltrexone or acamprosate and how they fit your goals.
Skills that stick.
- CBT/DBT for cravings, stress, and mood
- Sleep, nutrition, and hydration plans so your body feels better fast
- A simple relapse-prevention plan for weekends, lonely evenings, and high-risk places (bathrooms, convenience stores)
If you’re not ready to stop today:
- Don’t drink alone.
- Don’t mix with sedatives, opioids, or sleep meds.
- Eat first, sip water, and set a firm limit.
- Tell one trusted person what’s going on so you’re not carrying it alone.
These steps don’t make it “safe”—they just reduce some harm while you line up help.
Bottom line: Drinking mouthwash to get drunk is a red flag for deeper problems—and a fast route to poisoning, ulcers, and liver injury. If mouthwash alcohol abuse is showing up in your home, you’re not alone, and you’re not stuck. Real help is close by. Search our directory for compassionate, evidence-based care, or call (866) 578-7471 for confidential support today.
