Alcohol and Kidney Stones: What You Need to Know

When you drink alcohol, a psychoactive substance that affects fluid balance, liver function, and kidney filtration. Also known as ethanol, it’s not just about getting drunk—it’s about how your body handles the aftereffects, especially when it comes to your kidneys, the organs that filter waste and regulate fluid and mineral levels in your blood.

People often ask if alcohol and kidney stones are linked. The short answer: it’s not direct, but it’s definitely indirect. Alcohol makes you pee more, which sounds good until you realize it also dehydrates you. Dehydration is one of the biggest triggers for kidney stones. When you’re low on water, minerals like calcium and oxalate clump together instead of flushing out. And if you’re drinking hard liquor or salty mixers? You’re stacking the deck. Beer, on the other hand, has more water and less sugar—but it’s still a diuretic. One study from the Journal of Urology found that men who drank more than two drinks a day had a 30% higher chance of forming stones over time. That’s not a coincidence—it’s a pattern.

It’s not just about the alcohol itself. What you mix it with matters. Sugary sodas, especially those with high fructose corn syrup, are known to boost stone risk. So a vodka soda with lime? Better. A rum and cola? Riskier. Even wine, often called "heart-healthy," can still pull water from your system if you’re not hydrating properly. And if you already have a history of stones, skipping alcohol isn’t just advice—it’s a smart move. Your kidneys don’t care if you call it a "relaxing glass of wine." They just care if you’re giving them enough water to do their job.

There’s no magic number that says "this many drinks = stones," but the trend is clear: more alcohol + less water = higher risk. If you love a drink, don’t quit it—but make sure you’re drinking at least two glasses of water for every alcoholic one. And if you’ve had a stone before? That’s your body’s way of saying: slow down. Your kidneys are working hard enough already.

Below, you’ll find real stories and practical advice from people who’ve been there—from what they drank, how they changed, and what actually helped. No fluff. No hype. Just what works.