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The claim

“Drinking more alcohol the next day cures a hangover.”

False
Evidence confidence Moderate

Moderate confidence. Authoritative guidance specifically rejects “hair of the dog” as a cure, and controlled-trial evidence for hangover treatments is very weak. More alcohol can temporarily mask symptoms while extending exposure and recovery.

The facts

Drinking alcohol the next morning does not cure a hangover. It may briefly blunt some symptoms, but it adds more alcohol and can prolong the recovery process.

The bigger picture

A hangover can overlap with early withdrawal in people who drink heavily or regularly. Needing alcohol to steady shaking, anxiety or nausea is not a harmless remedy pattern.

Who should be careful?

Safety note: Morning drinking can worsen intoxication, interactions, falls and driving risk. Abruptly stopping after sustained heavy use can also cause dangerous withdrawal, so recurrent “hair of the dog” use deserves medical advice.

Talk to a healthcare professional if: Seek emergency care for seizures, hallucinations, severe confusion, inability to wake, breathing problems or repeated vomiting. Get prompt help for shaking, sweating, rapid pulse or agitation after reducing alcohol.

What this means for you

Temporary relief is not the same as recovery. More alcohol also preserves impairment and increases the risk of another episode of heavy drinking.

Your next step

Avoid more alcohol, rest, sip fluids and eat what you tolerate. Do not drive or operate machinery until attention and coordination are fully normal.

Sources
Last reviewed 2026-10-01 Suggest a correction →

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Bottom line on Hangover cures

Hangover cures are mostly marketing. If you want to feel better tomorrow, the real lever is how much you drink tonight, not what you take after the fact.