Scotch and Soda (1 Cocktail)

If your reading is low or you have confusion, faintness, sweating, shaking, or trouble speaking, stop drinking, do not drive, and seek urgent medical help; follow your clinician’s low-glucose treatment plan.

Avoid further Scotch or other alcohol until your glucose has stabilized; alcohol can cause delayed lows, especially overnight or after exercise.

Do not drink alcohol on an empty stomach. If you choose to drink in the future, have a balanced meal first, such as steel-cut oats with plain Greek yogurt and berries.

Pair any alcohol with water and a snack containing carbohydrate plus protein or fat, such as an apple with peanut butter or plain yogurt with nuts.

Monitor glucose more often for several hours and before bed after drinking, since alcohol-related lows can occur later than expected.

Ask your diabetes clinician or pharmacist whether your medications, insulin doses, and alcohol limits need adjustment; keep someone nearby who knows how to help if you are at risk of severe lows.