The Alcohol-Depression Connection: Symptoms, Treatment & More

is alcohol a depressant

A common psychoactive drug, alcohol, alters your consciousness, thoughts, and mood. It can be tempting to drink for the “mood-boosting” side effects, but this can lead to alcohol abuse or dependence on alcohol. Alcohol is a depressant that reduces benzo belly the speed of brain activity.

Effects on the body

  1. People may turn to alcohol as a way to cope with mood problems, but drinking alcohol can also contribute to symptoms of depression.
  2. If you’re battling depression, alcohol isn’t going to make you feel better.
  3. Treating one of these conditions may improve symptoms for both.
  4. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that 9 out of 10 adult binge drinkers don’t have a severe alcohol use disorder, but that doesn’t mean alcohol isn’t a problem for them.

People may develop an addiction to alcohol after using it to cope with stress or traumatic life events. Addressing emotional or mental health concerns can help people with AUD find ways goodbye letter to alcohol to cope that do not involve alcohol. Individuals diagnosed with clinical depression should be extremely cautious when it comes to using substances such as alcohol.

People who are dependent on alcohol may experience withdrawal symptoms when they try to quit drinking. These symptoms may range from nausea and anxiety to seizures and hallucinations. The pathways resulting in the development of co-occurring alcohol use disorder and depression are complex and intertwined. For others, symptoms of depression can influence the development of an alcohol or drug abuse how to flush alcohol from urine problem. As one of the most widely used and socially accepted drugs in the world, alcohol is easily abused.

How Long Does Alcohol-Induced Depression Last?

Naltrexone and acamprosate can both reduce heavy drinking and support abstinence. One of the most common types of stimulant drugs is amphetamines. Doctors may prescribe stimulants to individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or narcolepsy. Other stimulants include caffeine, cocaine, and methamphetamine.

What’s the Connection Between Alcohol and Depression?

is alcohol a depressant

This is because self-medication with alcohol is linked to increased psychiatric comorbidity and stress levels, as well as a lower quality of life. But another connection that behavioral scientists have been looking at is any association between increased instances of alcohol consumption and increased rates of depressive episodes and symptoms. In addition, drinking alcohol quickly and in large amounts can lead to more severe symptoms, such as memory loss, coma, even death. If not treated, alcohol use disorder can become a life-long struggle.

However, the flip side is that people who frequently use alcohol are more likely to also be depressed. Drinking a lot may worsen these feelings, which may actually drive further drinking. Alcohol may be a form of self-medication for people with depression.

Almost 30 percent of Americans will experience alcohol use disorder at some point in their lifetimes. People who develop AUD continue to consume alcohol despite experiencing negative consequences. This condition can have a negative effect on health, relationships, and emotional well-being. A person should speak with a doctor about healthy alcohol consumption.

Risk of Dependence and Addiction

There is a lot that we still need to understand about the link between alcohol and depression, and this is an emerging area of research. Existing research indicates that depression can cause alcohol overuse, and alcohol overuse can cause depression. On the other hand, both conditions also share certain risk factors, such as genetics and social isolation. Having either depression or alcohol use disorder increases your risk of developing the other condition. “Data reveals that 27% of people with major depressive disorder also have a drug addiction,” says Jameca Woody Cooper, PhD, a psychologist and adjunct professor at Webster University in Missouri. In other words, depressants can both lead to feelings of depression while also making matters worse for people already battling clinical depression.