Everyday life with CPAP

Drinking Alcohol and CPAP: What Happens to Your Sleep Apnea

Alcohol can make sleep apnea worse. Studies show it makes breathing events longer and lowers oxygen levels. If you drink, still use CPAP all night, and talk to your doctor if your AHI rises after drinking.

Signs

  • Higher AHI on nights you drink
  • More snoring or mask leaks
  • Waking up more tired
  • Mouth breathing and dry mouth

Common causes

Alcohol worsens breathing during sleep
The authors of a meta-analysis of randomized trials concluded that alcohol is a modifiable risk factor that can cause or worsen obstructive sleep apnea.
Longer and deeper events
A meta-analysis of randomized trials found alcohol significantly increased the length of breathing events and lowered the lowest oxygen level during sleep.
Higher risk overall
A separate meta-analysis found higher alcohol intake was linked to a 25% higher risk of sleep apnea.

Fixes to try, easiest first

  1. Always use CPAP after drinking

    Your airway is more likely to collapse after alcohol, so this is when you need CPAP most.

  2. Limit alcohol, especially near bedtime

    NHLBI lists limiting alcohol as a healthy lifestyle change that helps treat sleep apnea.

  3. Check your data the next morning

    ResMed notes alcohol and some medicines can make your AHI go up. Compare nights with and without alcohol.

  4. Use a chinstrap or full face mask if you mouth breathe

    Mouth breathing can increase after drinking. If you use a nasal mask, a chinstrap or full face mask may help.

  5. Talk to your doctor about rising AHI with your clinician

    If your AHI stays high, your doctor can review whether your settings are right.

When to call your doctor

Talk to your doctor if your AHI is often high, if you drink most nights, or if you take sleep aids or other sedating medicines with alcohol. Seek care right away for confusion, trouble breathing or chest pain.

Supplies that can help

CPAP chinstrap

A soft strap that supports the jaw to help keep the mouth closed, used mainly with nasal and nasal pillow masks to reduce mouth leaks.

AmazonCPAP.comAffiliate linksHow to choose

Retailer links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no cost to you.

Mask types this applies to

Nasal maskFull face maskUnder the nose full face mask (hybrid, minimal contact)

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to use CPAP after drinking?

Yes, and it is more important to use it after drinking because alcohol can worsen apnea. If you are very intoxicated, have someone check on you.

Does alcohol raise AHI?

Studies show alcohol makes breathing events longer and lowers oxygen levels, and ResMed lists alcohol as a cause of a rising AHI.

How long before bed should I stop drinking?

There is no exact rule in these sources. Limiting alcohol, especially in the evening, is the general advice from NHLBI.

Sources

Last reviewed October 11, 2026. How we research · Report an error

Related problems