Anxiety and Depression Increases Your Risk of Negative Consequences from Your Drinking
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A recent study published in Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research examined the interplay between alcohol, anxiety, and depression. The study revealed that individuals suffering from these mental health disorders experience more severe adverse effects from alcohol consumption compared to those without such conditions, even when consuming identical amounts.
The Link Between Anxiety and Depression and Alcohol Use Disorder
People with anxiety are three times more likely to develop with AUD, and a 10-year study found that 43% of individuals who use alcohol to cope with depression develop alcohol use disorder, compared to 15% of those who do not.
One critical aspect of this phenomenon is the role of self-medication with alcohol, a prevalent practice among individuals with mental health conditions. This coping mechanism, however, exacerbates their mental health issues over time, leading to a heightened state of anxiety or depression. Unfortunately, this often triggers a vicious cycle, where increased anxiety or depression leads to further alcohol consumption to alleviate these symptoms, thus worsening their condition in the long run.
The Impact of Self-Medication on Anxiety, Depression, and Quitting Drinking
Examining the data from approximately 26,000 adults, researchers discovered that those with mental health disorders were more prone to the negative impacts of drinking. These included altered heart rates, sensory perceptions, cravings, and insomnia, among other things. Notably, such individuals were more likely to develop a dependency on alcohol, a concept referred to as "telescoping."
Beyond self-medication, structural brain differences can make some individuals more susceptible to depression, anxiety, and AUD. Particularly, the amygdala's role in mood regulation can result in increased vulnerability to these disorders, further emphasizing the complex interplay between mental health conditions and alcohol.
Managing Anxiety, Depression, and Quitting Drinking: Breaking the Vicious Cycle
Addressing mental health is crucial in breaking the vicious cycle of AUD. If your mental health is a barrier to sobriety, therapy, medication, and supportive communities, such as Living a Sober Powered Life, can offer help. By addressing the mental health component, significant strides can be made in managing both alcohol, anxiety, and depression effectively.
Listen to episode 152 to learn more about the connection between your mental health and your drinking:
FAQs on Anxiety and Depression
How long after quitting drinking does anxiety go away?
Heightened anxiety during acute withdrawal is normal, especially if you struggle with anxiety naturally. If you are struggling to stay sober due to extra anxiety, then please talk to your doctor and a therapist. You should begin to feel better as your withdrawal symptoms fade, but anxiety can persist for a few weeks. Plus, alcohol can mask mental health conditions without us realizing it. You may need to do some work (medication/therapy) to manage your anxiety.
Can quitting alcohol cure anxiety?
Yes. If you didn’t struggle with anxiety before drinking, and you only experienced hangxiety (hangover anxiety), then your anxiety may go away when you quit. This was my experience. I had alcohol induced anxiety, and this disappeared when I stopped drinking. If your anxiety doesn’t go away, then it could be because you actually do have anxiety, but were using alcohol to cope. It’s important to discuss this with a therapist to learn new coping skills.
How does alcohol affect depression?
Alcohol causes a big boost in serotonin, which enhances our mood and makes us feel happy. Maybe you have seen some people cry at the end of the night (or maybe you’ve done this yourself). I was this type of drinker: super happy and fun, then very sad and depressed. This is because at the end of the night our serotonin levels drop below baseline making us feel even more depressed than we did initially. If you repeat this process over and over again it can worsen your depression and even lead to suicidal thoughts.
Cite this article:
Tietz, G. Anxiety and Depression Increases Your Risk of Negative Consequences from Your Drinking. Sober Powered. 2023
Sources:
Anker, J. et al. Evidence for an alcohol-related “harm paradox” in individuals with internalizing disorders: Test and replication in two independent community samples. Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research. 47:4. 712-723. 2023.
Shuai, R. Risk Pathways Contributing to the Alcohol Harm Paradox: Socioeconomic Deprivation Confers Susceptibility to Alcohol Dependence via Greater Exposure to Aversive Experience, Internalizing Symptoms and Drinking to Cope. Behav. Neurosci. 2022
