Coming home after a stressful day and enjoying a drink can be an appealing thought. Plenty of people do it, but did you know that if taken in excess and for an extensive period of time, alcohol can actually increase anxiety?
Anxiety can only be treated with therapy and medicine, and alcohol is anything but medicinal. In fact, it can have dire consequences for anyone who is already suffering from anxiety.
The Effects of Alcohol on Pre-Existing Anxiety
The notion of alcohol acting as a stress-reliever derives from its nature as a depressant. By affecting the central nervous system, drinking can calm you and amplify a good mood, much like an anti-anxiety pill. The danger comes with increased consumption. The more you drink, the higher tolerance your body develops to alcohol’s effects, which can lead some people to drink even more.
Neural Consequences
When alcohol hits the brain, it alters the levels of serotonin in the body. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that many researchers believe is responsible for mood balance and contributing to happiness in general. Hence, an excess of alcohol leads to a decrease in serotonin, which leads to increased depression and anxiety.
Anxiety can last for hours or even a day after drinking, and it’s entirely possible to experience an upsurge in such feelings after alcohol wears off. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (AADA), as much as 7 percent of the American population drink to cope with anxiety.
Alcohol, Anxiety and Your Social Life
Drinking has been a popular social activity for centuries. Someone with social anxiety, who is uneasy in crowds, may feel the need to drink simply to survive the situation, which can lead to a dependence on alcohol in social environments. Other signs of dependence are needing a drink in the morning, heavy drinking four or more days a week, and five or more drinks in a single day.
If you already have anxiety, the perfect storm comes in the form of a hangover. Hangover symptoms like headaches, dizziness, nausea, and more only add to the pile of anxious feelings you’re experiencing.
Alcohol Induced Anxiety
Heavy drinking over a long period of time can lead to a variety of health issues, including anxiety. Research exists linking alcoholism to anxiety-related conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder. This puts chronic drinkers at higher risk of trauma from things like car accidents or physical assault.
Andrew Holmes, a scientist for the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), says, “A history of heavy alcohol abuse could impair a critical mechanism for recovering from a trauma, and in doing so put people at greater risk for PTSD.”
It’s likely that people exhibiting signs of alcoholism are at greater risk of developing an anxiety disorder. At this time, no data exists to suggest that modest drinking can lead to anxiety.
Everything in Moderation
Alcohol is perfectly safe if not abused. The average adult male should try to limit himself to two drinks a day, the average adult female one a day. Check with a doctor to see what suitable drinking means for you.