The short answer is no — alcohol is not a good way to unwind, and it’s likely to worsen anxiety in the long run. But the full answer is a bit more muddled than that. According to most studies, alcohol can reduce stress because it is a depressant that produces a soothing effect when intoxicated. Naturally, people may feel their fears and difficulties wash away when they drink. However, these stress-releasing effects of alcohol are fleeting, and only temporary. In fact, their anxiety will increase as they start to drink more and feel overwhelmed by alcohol’s depressant qualities. This is where alcohol abuse turns into alcoholism in the bat-of-an-eyelash!
In a 2023 study, the World Health Organization (WHO) indicated “any amount of alcohol can impact health.” Moreover, the most popular substance on the planet is responsible for over 3 million deaths annually. Consider this before reaching for a drink to calm you down.
How Does Alcohol Trigger Anxiety?
While alcohol initially produces a calm feeling, next day hangovers feel anything but peaceful. Hangovers typically elicit more anxiety with side effects such as headaches, lack of fluids, nausea, or vomiting. When someone’s drinking increases, the impact is even more significant. Heavy alcohol consumption over a protracted period of time can also make someone more prone to develop an anxiety disorder. As the need for a drink becomes more urgent, an anxiety builds over the predicament that started with just a drink to relax!
How Long Does Alcohol-Induced Anxiety Last?
Alcohol-triggered anxiety can last for hours or even an entire day, depending how much you drink. While alcohol affects serotonin, dopamine, and neurotransmitter levels, these changes are transient and will dissolve in a brief time for people who drink on occasion. However, alcohol-induced anxiety can become a constant problem if someone drinks alcoholically for years. At the same time, problem drinking can put a somebody on the path to alcoholism, and the effects on their anxiety can be particularly devastating.
How Do You Stop Alcohol-Induced Anxiety?
The first step is to seek professional, whether it’s a primary doctor or psychotherapist. The fact that alcohol becomes an option for managing anxiety demands a closer inspection. However, the best choices for reducing anxiety are holistic. This includes simple things like getting enough sleep, exercising, and eating well. Advanced options such as mindfulness techniques, meditation, or yoga can be easily learned in a class. When you’ve had a hectic day, drinking heavily will take the immediate sting out, but it won’t resolve it, and likely compound it with alcohol-related consequences.
About Celadon Recovery
Celadon is comprehensive addiction and mental health treatment center located along the shores of the Caloosahatchee River in Fort Myers, Florida. With a full-continuum of care including detox, residential, and outpatient programs, we are committed to quality substance use and co-occurring disorder care. Call us today at 239-266-2141.
