Alcohol and Anxiety Disorders: What You Need to Know

The psychiatry field has long pointed to the clear link between anxiety and alcohol misuse, with as many as 50% of people receiving alcohol addiction treatment also meeting the criteria for an anxiety disorder diagnosis, according to a 2019 Alcohol Research article. It’s well-established that someone with an anxiety disorder or an alcohol-related diagnosis is at a much higher risk of developing the other disorder as well. But what’s behind the overlap between alcohol and anxiety disorders — and what can people do about it to prevent problems with their mental and physical health that can come about from untreated anxiety and alcohol addiction?

The article attempted to combine the separate theories and studies that have stemmed from psychiatry, psychology, and neuroscience to explain this connection. For example, psychological research suggests people who drink to deal with anxiety are at a higher risk of developing problems with alcohol. Neuroscience, meanwhile, points to an overlap of rising anxiety and alcohol abuse due to processes in the brain and nervous system, which is at odds with the more dominant psychiatric belief that these two problems are neurobiologically distinct. However, the article said more recent research backs up the theory that problems with alcohol and anxiety disorders may indeed come from an overlap of how the brain and nervous system function — and this overlap can fuel problems with both disorders if left untreated.

A 2023 study published in Alcohol: Clinical & Experimental Research found evidence of people with anxiety or depression being more likely to have stronger alcohol use disorder symptoms than others — even if they drank the same amount. This, again, points to an inherent overlap between alcohol and anxiety disorders, emphasizing the need to understand just how connected these two conditions truly are and when treatment is needed. Just like the risk of holiday anxiety, when people become more anxious during the holiday season, there are triggers to watch out for.

Is Alcohol a Good Stress Reliever?

In short, the answer is no — alcohol is not a good stress reliever, and it’s likely to make problems with stress or anxiety worse in the long run. But the full answer is a bit more complicated than that. According to Healthline, it is true to some extent that alcohol reduces stress because it is a depressant that produces a sedative effect when consumed. This is why people might feel like their fears and troubles are less of a problem when they drink. They could feel happier or more relaxed. However, these stress-relieving effects of alcohol are only temporary — and the more that someone drinks, the higher their tolerance becomes, meaning they won’t feel as relieved anymore. Their anxiety, in the long run, will get worse as they start to suffer the side effects of heavy drinking over a long period of time, and they could be at risk of developing an addiction to alcohol that will only lead to more mental health distress.

Why Does Alcohol Cause Anxiety?

Now that you understand the link between alcohol and anxiety disorders, why, specifically, does alcohol cause anxiety? According to Healthline, alcohol consumption affects the level of serotonin and neurotransmitters in the brain, and that can make anxiety worse. Remember, too, that hangovers can make someone feel more anxious as they deal with side effects like headaches, dehydration, and nausea. If someone becomes addicted to alcohol, the impact is even greater, with research suggesting that people with alcohol addiction have a hard time recovering from trauma (possibly due to changes in brain activity after alcohol abuse). Heavy drinking over a long period can also make someone more likely to develop one of the anxiety disorders.

How Long Does Alcohol-Induced Anxiety Last?

Alcohol-induced anxiety can last for hours or even as long as an entire day, according to Healthline. While it affects serotonin and neurotransmitters, these changes are temporary and will dissipate in a relatively short time for people who drink occasionally. However, alcohol-induced anxiety can become a chronic problem if someone drinks heavily for a long period of time. In addition to physical effects and health consequences, problematic drinking habits can put a person on the path to alcohol addiction, and the consequences for their anxiety can be especially devastating.

How Do You Stop Alcohol-Induced Anxiety?

Now that you understand why you have anxiety after drinking alcohol, let’s get to the important question in this issue: How do you stop alcohol-induced anxiety and deal with the connection between alcohol and anxiety disorders? The best option is to learn healthier ways of handling stress and anxiety, such as focusing on getting enough sleep, exercising, eating healthy, and practicing mindfulness techniques, meditation, or yoga. If you’ve had a stressful day, drinking heavily to try to feel better or more relaxed is a Band-Aid at best — it might temporarily mask the issue, but it won’t resolve it, and it could just make it worse. 

 

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WhiteSands Can Help If You Have Problems with Alcohol and Anxiety Disorders

Unfortunately, alcohol and anxiety disorders often go hand in hand, and people who have problematic drinking behaviors are likely to suffer from (or eventually develop) issues with anxiety. Rather than thinking of it as just a part of life, it’s important to remember that it doesn’t have to be this way — and it is possible to overcome addiction while also treating anxiety disorders and other mental health conditions. At our network of treatment facilities across the state of Florida, including our Tampa drug rehab, we’re proud to offer dual diagnosis treatment that addresses substance use disorder and mental health struggles at the same time. WhiteSands Treatment’s effective and award-winning treatment programs are proven to help people learn how to deal with their anxiety in a better way and get on the road to lasting recovery. We can help and are ready to start when you are. Call us today at 877-855-3470.

External Sources

• National Library of Medicine — Co-Occurring Alcohol Use Disorder and Anxiety
• Healthline — Alcohol and Anxiety
• National Library of Medicine — Evidence for an Alcohol-Related “Harm Paradox” in Individuals with Internalizing Disorders

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.