Alcohol and anxiety

During busy days or stressful situations, you may feel the urge to drink a glass of wine or beer to calm yourself down. However, regular or excessive alcohol consumption can only worsen anxiety.

Alcohol is especially dangerous during the treatment of anxiety disorders. Although, at first glance, alcohol may seem like an effective way to relieve anxiety, it can actually do more harm than good. Therefore, if you experience anxiety after drinking alcohol, you should stop drinking and consult a doctor immediately.

“Relaxation” with alcohol

There is some truth to the claim that alcohol can reduce stress. Since alcoholic beverages act as a sedative and depressant, they affect the central nervous system, temporarily causing a feeling of relaxation. However, this effect is short-lived, and excessive or regular alcohol abuse can lead to the opposite effects, including increased anxiety and mood problems.

Initially, alcohol can actually reduce anxiety by allowing you to take your mind off problems, boost your mood, and make you less shy. Its effects can cause feelings of relaxation and calmness, similar to those of anti-anxiety medications. However, this effect is short-lived, and over time, regular drinking can have the opposite effect, exacerbating alcohol-related anxiety and other mental health problems.

Sometimes drinking alcohol to relax can be safe if your doctor approves it. However, once you start drinking regularly, you can develop a tolerance to its anti-stress effects. This can make managing anxiety and stress even more difficult, as alcohol no longer has the same calming effect.

Excessive drinking can have serious physical and mental consequences. Over time, it can lead to loss of consciousness, memory problems, and even brain damage, especially if it is accompanied by other health problems such as liver damage. These complications can increase anxiety as they add new challenges to coping with the symptoms and effects of alcohol.

The feeling of relaxation after drinking is associated with an increase in blood alcohol content (BAC). When the BAC rises, it causes a temporary level of excitement and euphoria, but after it drops, depression often follows. This may explain why having a few drinks feels good at first, but after your BAC returns to normal, you may feel even more anxious than before.

How alcohol increases anxiety

Alcohol alters the levels of serotonin and other neurotransmitters in the brain, which can increase anxiety. In fact, after the alcohol wears off, you may experience even higher levels of anxiety. This condition can last for several hours or even a whole day after drinking, which only worsens your overall health.

Studies show that alcohol and anxiety often go hand in hand, and reducing alcohol consumption can help reduce anxiety. At the same time, using intoxicating drinks as a way to deal with social anxiety disorder can be dangerous.

According to the American Anxiety and Depression Association (ADAA), approximately 7% of Americans suffer from this type of anxiety. Alcohol, at first glance, may seem like a quick fix, but it can actually only worsen symptoms in the long run.

With social anxiety, socializing can seem unbearable. People with social anxiety disorder often resort to drinking alcohol to facilitate social interactions, which can eventually lead to dependence on alcohol in such situations. This worsens anxiety symptoms, creating a vicious cycle. Approximately 20% of people with social anxiety disorder also suffer from alcohol dependence.

In addition to the need for alcohol to feel comfortable during socializing, other signs of alcohol dependence may include

• needing a drink to start the day;
• drinking four or more days a week;
• demanding a drink at every meeting;
• inability to stop drinking, even if you want to;
• drinking five or more alcoholic beverages in one day.

Excessive alcohol consumption often leads to hangovers, which can cause symptoms that exacerbate anxiety. These include:

• headache
• dizziness
• nausea
• dehydration;
• low blood glucose (sugar) levels.

Alcohol can intensify this condition, but there are also symptoms that appear without external influences, and it’s crucial to pay attention to them first.

Can alcohol cause anxiety?

Long-term alcohol abuse can lead to a variety of health problems, including mental health issues.

Research shows that people with alcoholism often have difficulty recovering from traumatic events. This may be due to the fact that alcohol abuse can alter brain activity.

Anxiety disorders and alcohol often interact in such a way that alcohol can temporarily reduce anxiety, but in the long run, it only exacerbates the symptoms of the disorder. Individuals who consume alcohol in large quantities for a long time may be predisposed to developing anxiety disorders. However, there is no convincing evidence that moderate alcohol consumption can cause anxiety.

Increased anxiety can be a sign of alcohol withdrawal. If you have been drinking large amounts of alcohol for a long time and suddenly stop drinking, your anxiety may increase due to withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms may include:

• hand tremors
• excessive sweating;
• rapid heartbeat (over 100 beats per minute)
• hallucinations
• nausea
• vomiting
• seizures.

Alcohol is not a cure for anxiety

The definition of moderate drinking may vary by gender and age group. In the United States, “moderate” consumption usually means no more than two drinks per day for adult men and one for women. Since older adults metabolize alcohol more quickly, it is recommended that they limit themselves to only one drink per day. Be sure to consult your doctor to find out if moderate drinking is safe for you.

Although alcohol can have certain benefits, it also carries the following risks

• depression
• obesity
• liver disease;
• disorders of the cardiovascular system.

Alcohol affects each person differently. It can improve mood after a hard day or provide a sense of relaxation. Before drinking alcohol, it is important to discuss these issues with your doctor to find out if alcohol is safe for you.

Remember that drinking alcohol can be dangerous if you have:

1. Low tolerance to alcohol.
2. A tendency to anxiety or aggression.
3. Mental health problems.

Alcohol should not be used as a treatment for anxiety. If you are suffering from anxiety, see a mental health professional. If you have a problem with alcohol, consult your doctor immediately.

Traditional treatments for anxiety

Treatment for anxiety disorders can vary depending on their type. For social anxiety or social phobia, therapy, especially in combination with antidepressants such as sertraline or Zoloft, can be most effective. In the case of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), which is characterized by constant worry or stress for no apparent reason, your doctor may recommend cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help you overcome avoidance of situations due to anxiety, or discussing your condition with a therapist.

Your doctor may also recommend medications to treat your anxiety. These may include antidepressants:

• duloxetine (Cymbalta)
• escitalopram (Lexapro)
• paroxetine (Paxil).

Or benzodiazepines:

• alprazolam (Xanax);
• diazepam (Valium);
• lorazepam (Ativan).

Each type of medication has its own approach to treating anxiety. Antidepressants are usually prescribed for daily use, which helps to reduce anxiety for a long time. Benzodiazepines, on the other hand, are intended for short-term relief of severe anxiety symptoms. Consulting with your doctor will help determine which type of medication is best for your needs.

Some of these medications may interact with alcohol. Be sure to talk to your doctor about drinking alcohol while taking these medications, as the combination can cause dangerous or even fatal side effects.

Lifestyle changes to reduce anxiety

Anxiety can be controlled, but it is not always possible to completely cure it. However, you can make certain changes to your lifestyle that can help reduce anxiety and learn to cope effectively with it.

There are several daily changes that can help reduce anxiety. They are as follows:

1. Stable sleep. Try to get 6 to 8 hours of sleep a night, depending on your age, and maintain a regular sleep schedule.
2. Reduce caffeine and alcohol. Limit caffeine and alcohol consumption, as both can increase anxiety levels.
3. Eat a balanced diet. Eat a healthy diet every day to maintain physical and mental health.
4. Relaxation techniques. Take time every day to practice relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga.
5. Hobbies and recreation. Find time for relaxing hobbies, such as listening to music or drawing.

To better cope with anxiety and avoid panic attacks, you can also use the following methods:

1. Deep breathing. Breathe in and out slowly to calm yourself down when you feel anxious.
2. Positive thinking. Try thinking about positive things when your thoughts become too negative.
3. Counting. Slowly count from 1 to 10 or higher until the feeling of anxiety begins to subside.
4. Laughter and positive emotions. Focus on something that makes you laugh or feel positive emotions until your anxiety starts to decrease.

Alcohol anxiety can occur after drinking alcohol, even if it seems to reduce it at first. Therefore, you should not try to overcome mental disorders with alcohol. If anxiety occurs quite often and does not disappear for a long time, it is better to consult a doctor who can identify the problem and prescribe treatment.

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