Bedwetting When Drunk: Causes and Solutions

Bedwetting sounds like something that only happens to small children, a trend that’s largely over by the time potty training is complete. However, there’s another subset of the population that may, from time to time, wet the bed: highly intoxicated adults.

After you engage in a night of blackout drinking, it’s unfortunately not uncommon to wake up with wet sheets and clothes. For most adults, this is highly embarrassing to deal with. Bedwetting while drunk can carry a lot of shame, as bladder control is something most adults without any kind of compromising health condition have been managing for decades, and the problem can, at times, signal health issues that need to be addressed.

This article will explore the science behind bedwetting when drunk, its health implications, risk factors, strategies for prevention, ways to cope, and how to overcome the stigma. We’ll also discuss when this tendency could indicate an underlying drinking problem.

Understanding Bedwetting When Drunk: The Science

An estimated one in six U.S. adults binge drinks around four times per month, with an average of seven drinks consumed per session. But binge drinking alone isn’t correlated with bedwetting, and you’ve probably experienced a night of heavy drinking without wetting the bed. So when does bedwetting happen and why?

Bedwetting isn’t something that happens at random for no reason; there’s science behind urinary incontinence that explains why individuals who are severely intoxicated are at a heightened risk for drunk bedwetting.

An Explanation of the Phenomenon

When a person is heavily intoxicated, their judgment, coordination, and control over bodily functions can be significantly impaired. This can potentially lead to loss of bladder control, resulting in involuntary urination, also known in popular slang as “peeing yourself” when drunk. While it may occur in some individuals, it is important to note that this is not a universal experience for everyone who consumes alcohol.

It is worth mentioning that experiencing loss of bladder control when intoxicated should not be considered normal or desirable. It can be embarrassing and may indicate excessive alcohol consumption or potential alcohol-related problems. If this becomes a recurring issue or is causing distress, it is recommended to seek advice from a healthcare professional or consider reducing alcohol consumption.