For many individuals struggling with anxiety, drinking alcohol feels like an easy way to relax and take the edge off. While lots of people drink to find relief from the stress of their busy days, if left unchecked, it can lead to a worsening cycle of anxiety and dependence. Understanding how alcoholism and anxiety are connected can help you make better-informed choices about substance use and your mental health. If you find yourself relying on alcohol to manage anxiety, it may be time to explore anxiety disorder treatment to develop healthier coping strategies.
True Life Center provides compassionate guidance and treatment to patients looking to find healthier coping mechanisms and live a life free of substance use.
How Alcohol Affects Anxiety
When thinking about anxiety, it’s important to understand that the relaxation that alcohol provides isn’t all there is to the story. What can initially feel calming can actually increase anxiety over time due to the ways alcohol impacts brain chemistry. Here’s what’s happening in your body with alcohol consumption:
- Short-term relief: Alcohol first boosts GABA (a neurotransmitter that calms the nervous system), creating a temporary sense of relaxation. This is what most people are seeking when looking to relax or release feelings of anxiety
- Rebound anxiety: As alcohol begins to wear off, GABA levels drop, leading to an increased level of stress and anxiety
- Disrupting sleep patterns: Alcohol reduces REM sleep, which is essential for emotional regulation, anxiety management, and repair
- Increased heart rate: Alcohol’s impact on the cardiovascular system can mimic the symptoms of a panic attack
It’s easy to unknowingly make your anxiety symptoms worse by consuming alcohol. This can lead to an unhealthy cycle of reliance.
The Cycle of Drinking Alcohol with Anxiety
If you’ve tended to self-medicate with alcohol in order to cope with stress, you’re not alone. It’s important to understand, however, that this coping mechanism has negative long-term consequences. The cycle normally looks like this:
- Anxiety arises due to stress, social situations, or internal worries.
- Alcohol provides temporary relief and relaxation.
- The effects of alcohol wear off, leaving behind feelings of anxiety once again. Sometimes called “rebound anxiety.”
- At this point, many people consume more alcohol to relieve the anxiety.
- A tolerance often develops here, with more alcohol required to achieve the same calming effect that it had initially.
Over time, this pattern can lead to dependence, worsening both anxiety and alcohol-related health risks.
Signs That Alcohol Is Worsening Your Anxiety
If you’re wondering whether you’ve developed a dependence and it’s time to seek professional support, ask yourself if you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms:
- Increased anxiety or panic attacks the day after drinking
- You find it hard to manage stress without alcohol
- You’re not able to socialize or relax without consuming alcohol
- Irritability, restlessness, or racing thoughts are things you experience often. These can be withdrawal signs
- Stress or emotional overwhelm is coped with by drinking alcohol
These may be warning signs and indicate the need for professional support. There is no shame in admitting you need help. It’s a brave, courageous step. And one that will ultimately benefit not only you, but your loved ones as well.
Co-Occurring Disorders: When Alcoholism and Anxiety Exist Together
When anxiety and alcohol dependence occur together, they are classified as co-occurring disorders. This means both conditions impact one another. True Life Center provides comprehensive treatment that addresses both conditions as needed for long-term recovery.
What Does Treatment for Alcoholism and Anxiety Look Like?
Breaking free from a co-occurring disorder requires professional expertise. Effective treatments include:
- Medical detox & withdrawal support: If dependence has taken root, supervised detox can ensure a safe, comfortable way of managing withdrawal symptoms.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT helps individuals recognize any negative thought patterns they may be having that contribute to their anxiety. They then work with a therapist to develop healthier coping mechanisms to manage anxiety without alcohol.
- Holistic and mindfulness-based therapies: At True Life, we utilize whole-body techniques like meditation, breathwork, and acupuncture support for emotional regulation and stress reduction
- Medication management: If needed, non-addictive anxiety medications may be recommended to help your recovery efforts while learning new coping skills.
At True Life Center, you’ll find a custom, integrative approach to anxiety disorder treatment. We focus on healing your mind and body so that you’re ready to live life on your own terms again. Free of substances and free to thrive.
Call True Life for Anxiety Disorder Treatment Today
If you’re turning to alcohol for anxiety relief, you don’t have to. We’re here to help you find a better, healthier way to cope and begin a new chapter. Call 858.202.1822 today or reach out online.
