Drinking During Flare-Ups Is It Safe to Drink During Flare-Ups? Provided their doctor approves, Gerds says many people whose PV is well controlled can safely drink alcohol in moderation. “One common misconception is that alcohol directly fuels the disease,” he says. “There is currently no evidence that moderate alcohol consumption accelerates the progression of polycythemia vera.” But there are times when it may be smarter to abstain. “During …