Is drinking intoxicants permissible for medical treatment?

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Drinking intoxicants for medical treatment is not permissible, and the prescribed punishment applies. The evidence for this is the narration transmitted by Imam Ahmad via Tarek bin Suwaid, where the Prophet, peace be upon him, rejected the justification of using it as medicine, stating, "It is not medicine, but rather a disease." Additionally, a narration concerning Makhariq, where the Prophet destroyed a container of *nabidh* (a mild intoxicant) intended for someone suffering from stomach pain, stating, "Indeed, Allah has not placed the cure for what He has forbidden among you." Because it is forbidden in its essence (*li-'aynihi*), it is not permissible for treatment, similar to pig meat. Furthermore, necessity is not removed by it, so it is not permitted, just as using it for treatments for which it is unsuitable is disallowed.