Vomiting Caused by an Addiction

Nobody needs to be told how miserable vomiting can be, especially when it keeps happening or comes on without warning. If you are struggling with addiction, vomiting might be one of the symptoms you’ve come to expect, but just because it’s common doesn’t mean it’s harmless. If you have been ignoring the vomiting or hoping it will pass on its own, you could be putting yourself in danger. Understanding why you keep vomiting, what it means and what kind of support can help ease the toll and protect you from harm.

woman-bending-over-toitel-for-vomiting

What is vomiting?

Vomiting is your body’s way of forcefully getting rid of something it sees as harmful. It is a reflex that empties the stomach through the mouth and is usually triggered by illness, motion, emotional stress or exposure to toxins.

Vomiting usually starts with nausea, followed by a tightening of the stomach and a surge of discomfort before you get sick. In most cases, nausea is a temporary condition that typically passes without causing significant harm. But when you are vomiting frequently, it can leave you weak and dehydrated.

If the causes are not addressed, even mild repeated vomiting can damage your throat, erode tooth enamel and lead to nutrient deficiencies that affect everything from your mood to your immune system.

Fear of vomiting can also impact your mental health. It can cause anxiety and depression, an aversion to food and even fears about going out and being sick in public. When combined with the psychological strain of alcohol or drug addiction is the cause, this can make daily life a real struggle.

How can addiction cause vomiting?

Vomiting caused by addiction is often your body reacting to being pushed too far. It can result from either the toxicity of the substances themselves or the stress of quitting. Different substances affect your digestive system and nervous system in different ways but nearly all can cause vomiting when your body becomes overloaded or chemically unbalanced.

Alcohol vomiting is one of the most common examples. Drinking heavily irritates your stomach lining, triggers acid build-up and confuses your brain’s control centres. Many people throw up during or after a big drinking session but frequent alcohol vomiting can lead to far bigger issues than a bad hangover.

With opioids like heroin, fentanyl and prescription painkillers, vomiting is common both during use and withdrawal. Opioids affect your brainstem, the same area that controls the urge to throw up. You may feel fine one minute and then suddenly overwhelmed by waves of nausea that lead to vomiting. This is often the case if you have taken more than usual or tried to quit cold turkey. Vomiting can also be a dangerous sign of opioid overdose as your body tries to expel drugs that it can’t process.

Vomiting after taking stimulants can also occur because of overheating, rapid heart rate or the sheer intensity of the high. Even medications like antidepressants, antipsychotics or benzodiazepines can lead to nausea or vomiting when misused or suddenly stopped.

At what point does vomiting become a serious issue?

Most people experience occasional nausea from a stomach bug, a late night with their friends or even too much coffee. But when nausea and vomiting interfere with your daily life or you are abusing or withdrawing from drugs and alcohol, the line from uncomfortable to dangerous is a thin one.

Persistent vomiting may enable your body to eliminate toxins in the short term, but you can’t continue to do so without consequences. If vomiting goes unchecked, you can lose water and essential minerals, and eventually, your body can become unable to perform its key functions.

Alcohol vomiting is common but when it starts happening all the time or long after the alcohol’s worn off, it can indicate liver problems, gastritis or internal bleeding. If you experience severe nausea when trying to quit alcohol, it can also make a recovery harder to stick to.

Vomiting also becomes a serious issue when it affects your ability to eat, sleep, work or get through a day. If it’s happening often, brings up blood or leaves you scared to eat, vomiting is no longer just a symptom but rather something that needs real attention.

stressed-woman-vomiting

The dangers of ignoring vomiting as a sign of addiction

Ignoring vomiting as a sign of addiction can be dangerous and even deadly. One of the biggest risks is fatally choking on vomit while unconscious which can happen to people who pass out drunk or after using sedatives. This can also lead to aspiration pneumonia, a serious lung infection that requires urgent medical treatment.

There is also the risk of internal bleeding, a tear in the lining of your throat and gastric rupture, a rare but fatal condition where the pressure from repeated vomiting causes your stomach to tear. All of these can cause blood to appear in your vomit and if you notice this, you should get medical care immediately.

There is also the risk of Barrett’s oesophagus, a condition caused by repeated vomiting and acid exposure, often tied to alcohol abuse and smoking. It changes the cells lining your throat and significantly increases your risk of oesophageal cancer.

Another danger is Wernicke’s encephalopathy, a brain disorder caused by vitamin B1 deficiency. It is often seen in people with alcohol addiction who are unable to keep food down. If untreated, it can lead to confusion, vision problems or even irreversible brain damage.

Tips for managing nausea and vomiting during withdrawal

Vomiting and nausea are frustrating, unpleasant but common withdrawal symptoms. Detoxing at a professional rehab treatment centre will ensure you have expert support to prevent any dangers but there are also various things you can do yourself to ease the discomfort. These include:

Take Pepto-Bismol

This is a compound, also known as bismuth subcarbonate, that can be effective in alleviating nausea and vomiting triggered by withdrawal.

Try acupuncture

It might sound a bit scary, but acupuncture can be very effective in managing nausea and vomiting, and some rehab programmes even provide it as part of their treatment.

Massage yourself

You can also use your hand to stimulate the pressure points that relate to the pathway controlling the feelings of nausea. This point is referred to as P6 or pericardium 6. Try massaging or pressing your wrist at the area, which is about two inches down from the base of the crease on your hand. When you get to this point, target and apply pressure on the area in between your tendons.

Use a Psi Band or CES Unit

These devices are designed to stimulate and apply pressure to the P6. They are often used to manage motion sickness but can also help ease withdrawal-induced nausea and vomiting.

Take electrolytes

Dehydration and electrolyte depletion are common during detox, so be sure to stay hydrated with plenty of water. You can also take rehydration fluids, which are specifically designed to help replenish electrolytes.

What should I do if addiction-induced vomiting is affecting me or a loved one?

If drugs or alcohol are causing you to vomit a lot, you must seek professional advice and support. Addiction Helper can help you find a safe, experienced treatment that deals with both physical addiction symptoms like vomiting and the deeper causes. Contact us today and we will listen to your story and match you with the right kind of care.

Reclaim Your Life Today

Our compassionate team are ready and available to take your call, and guide you towards lasting the lasting addiction recovery you deserve.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if my vomit after drinking contains blood?

Vomiting blood after drinking is a medical emergency. A torn oesophagus, a bleeding stomach ulcer or internal damage from long-term alcohol use could cause it. Even if it only happens once, go to A&E immediately.

What should I do if I’m still frequently vomiting after addiction treatment?

If you’re still throwing up regularly after treatment, it’s important to speak to your doctor or treatment provider. Your body might still be recovering from damage caused by drugs or alcohol, or you could be dealing with something new like anxiety, malnutrition or digestive issues that need extra support.

Are certain drugs more likely to cause someone to vomit?

Yes. Opioids like heroin or prescription painkillers often cause nausea and vomiting by slowing down the digestive system. Alcohol, especially in large amounts, is another common cause, with regular alcohol vomiting often starting suddenly and getting worse over time. Stimulants like cocaine or meth can also trigger vomiting after taking them as they overwhelm your brain and body.

(Click here to see works cited)

Thrift, Aaron P et al. “Lifetime alcohol consumption and risk of Barrett’s Esophagus.” The American journal of gastroenterology vol. 106,7 (2011): 1220-30.
doi:10.1038/ajg.2011.89
Rawla, Prashanth, and Joe Devasahayam. “Mallory-Weiss Syndrome – StatPearls.” NCBI, 31 July 2023, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538190/. Accessed 22 May 2025.
Vasan, Sarayu, and Anil Kumar. “Wernicke Encephalopathy – StatPearls.” NCBI, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470344/. Accessed 22 May 2025.