Alcohol and Depression: Understanding the Connection

Given that alcohol is commonly referred to as Alcoholics Anonymous a “depressant,” one might think people dealing with depression would steer clear of a stiff drink when they’re feeling low. Now that you’ve got the basics, it’s time to explore 10 specific ways drinking can worsen depression. When you read what follows, try to examine the material free of judgment.

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• For more anxious forms of depression, the experts I spoke to all pointed out, alcohol often mellows out the body and leads to earlier sleep.
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) aims to tackle the underlying issues behind substance abuse.
• These withdrawal symptoms can include anxiety, irritability, and depression.

The FHE Health team is committed to providing accurate information that adheres to the highest standards of writing. If one of our articles is marked with a ‘reviewed for accuracy and expertise’ badge, it indicates that one or more members of our team of doctors and clinicians have reviewed the article further to ensure accuracy. This is part of our ongoing commitment to ensure FHE Health is trusted as a leader in mental health and addiction care. Stress chemicals are the underlying cause of many depression symptoms. Whether it’s a change in appetite, hypertension, or a weakened immune system, these symptoms can be the result of chronic stress.

Feeling worthless and ashamed

Alcohol is a depressant, meaning that it slows down vital functions—resulting in slurred speech, unsteady movement, disturbed perceptions, and an inability to react quickly. In addition, alcohol releases large amounts of serotonin from the brain. Cognitive behavioral therapy can also be used to treat co-occurring AUD and MDD, by improving your emotional regulation, changing your cognitive behaviors, and helping you develop personal coping strategies. In residential treatment, “an individual stays in a treatment setting, receives intensive therapy, and is physically separated from alcohol in order to recover,” says Kennedy. Kennedy suggests that treatment options can vary depending on the severity of your condition. You might see a therapist in an outpatient setting once a week.

Alcohol Impacts Our Physical Health

This could potentially overwhelm an unsuspecting or unprepared individual. A person may drink to suppress these emotions, only to find them fully surfaced the following morning. Alcohol is a depressant, meaning it slows down brain activity. Someone who has consumed large amounts of alcohol may appear stimulated at first.

Furthermore, alcohol’s interference with the effectiveness of antidepressant medications can leave individuals more vulnerable to prolonged and intensified depressive episodes. Research has consistently found that drinking alcohol worsens depression in general and causes more frequent severe depressive episodes. But alcohol doesn’t just damage the brain’s ability to regulate moods. Alcohol intensifies emotions and creates more imbalances in brain dopamine and serotonin concentrations. This causes those with depression or underlying mental health issues to feel even worse.

• There are also many psychiatric medications like antidepressants available that can help manage depression as well as medications that can decrease alcohol cravings.
• But alcohol doesn’t just damage the brain’s ability to regulate moods.
• But once again, since everyone is different, consult with your doctor before trying any of these.
• This can lead to a decrease in serotonin levels, which can cause an increase in feelings of depression.
• It is important to remember, however, that certain studies show some overlap among depressive, anxiety, and alcoholic disorders in the same family.

One study by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism found that people with alcohol use disorder (AUD) were 2.3 times more likely to have major depressive disorder than people who did not have AUD. Long-term alcohol abuse can weaken the immune system and make the body more susceptible to illnesses and infections. It does this by impairing the function of white blood cells which defend the body against pathogens. When you have a compromised immune system, drug addiction treatment it might take longer to recover from illnesses and can increase your risk of developing chronic health conditions. Individuals with mental health conditions may be more likely to use alcohol as a treatment. Several studies suggest that military veterans are more likely to experience depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and misuse alcohol.

Why do I feel sad after drinking?

• Drinking alcohol can worsen symptoms of depression and interfere with the effectiveness of treatments such as therapy and medication.
• The only certain way to prevent depression after drinking is to avoid alcohol entirely.
• Even though drinking alcohol seems to help in the immediate moment, the smartest advice for anyone with depression or anxiety is to choose not to drink.
• If you’re concerned about your drinking habits or fear it may be affecting your mental health, help is available.
• They can be helpful for many, so talk to your doctor about this option.
• Additionally, it will reduce the number of dopamine receptors available.
• There are many reasons why a person does not seek help for their depression.

In fact, alcohol use to cope with depression may precipitate a relapse, or lead to suicidal thoughts. Furthermore, research shows that alcohol use increases both the intensity and duration of episodes of depression. A study in the journal Addiction found that attempting to deal with depression with alcohol use doubles the risk to develop either condition. According to the researchers, this isn’t just a correlation, noting that the two disorders are intertwined in the cycle of a reciprocating, causal relationship. Among those with alcohol abuse issues, the prevalence was 29.1 percent for anxiety disorders and 11.3 percent for major depressive disorder. Research shows that people who drink alcohol are more likely to develop mental health problems.

• Drinking alcohol can become a coping mechanism to deal with feelings of hopelessness, numbness, guilt, and worthlessness.
• This can mean going for walks, practicing yoga, or heading to the gym.
• As discussed above, alcohol temporarily increases levels of “feel-good chemicals” like dopamine and serotonin.
• Excessive alcohol drinking can also cause problems socially, such as issues with family, school, employment, and friends.
• Recall that alcohol exerts a depressant effect on the brain, decreasing dopamine function suppressing serotonin function.
• No matter your drink of choice, alcohol can easily be abused and often is, especially when it’s used to self-medicate.

What is the Link Between Alcohol and Antidepressants?

Drinking can make you depressed, or at least make symptoms of underlying depression even worse, especially for those who try to use alcohol to treat symptoms of depression. We’ll dive into the relationship between alcohol and depression, offering some insight into the relationship between the two. Chronic alcohol consumption also has significant negative effects on physical health, including the development of liver disease, heart disease, and high blood pressure. These health problems can exacerbate feelings of despair and helplessness, creating a cycle that is difficult to break. Additionally, alcohol can weaken the immune system and impair the body’s ability to recover from stress, further compounding physical and emotional struggles. Major depressive disorders are the most common co-occurring conditions with alcohol use disorders (AUD).