Does Alcohol Cause Depression, And What Can You Do About It?

Many people use alcohol to cope with troubling life events, unwind at the end of a long day, or celebrate important milestones. However, some people wonder about the link between alcohol consumption and depression. Both of these disorders can occur together, and each may increase the chance of the other developing. It can be important to treat both depression and alcohol use disorder, and you might choose to begin treatment with online therapy.

The effects of alcohol on the brain

Alcohol is generally considered to be a depressant, or a substance that can reduce nervous system activity and arousal. This depressive effect is often why people tend to turn to alcohol to unwind or relax. 

However, consuming alcohol can lead to a slowed central nervous system and symptoms such as slurred speech, stumbling, and the inability to make decisions. Alcohol can also decrease activity in the prefrontal cortex, which is typically associated with rational thought and decision-making. This may be why people usually have lower inhibitions and make risky choices while under the influence of alcohol.

While alcohol may be a depressant, consuming a few drinks can make some individuals feel less inhibited and more energetic. Therefore, sometimes people may drink alcohol due to its seemingly stimulating effects.

What is depression?

Before we investigate the link between alcohol and depression, let’s clear up what depression is. Although it can be normal for individuals to feel sad and tired at certain points in their life, sometimes these feelings can become persistent and overwhelming. If an individual experiences symptoms like low mood, decreased interest in previously enjoyable activities, low energy, or an inability to concentrate for most of a two-week period, they may be experiencing major depressive disorder.

If you think you or someone you know may be experiencing symptoms of major depressive disorder, seek help from a licensed mental health professional.

Can alcohol cause depression?

Therefore, this suggests that one disorder, or both disorders, increases the likelihood the other will develop. In fact, some research suggests that the presence of one disorder can double the likelihood that the other disorder will develop.

Depressive disorders tend to be the most common psychological disorder to occur in individuals experiencing alcohol use disorder. Additionally, when the two disorders occur together, the symptoms of each can appear more severe than if an individual was only experiencing one disorder.

So, that can beg the question, does alcohol use disorder lead to depression, or does depression lead to alcohol use disorder? The answer is that both may be possible. However, that doesn’t mean that everyone living with major depressive disorder will develop alcohol problems, nor that everyone with alcohol use disorder will develop a depression disorder. 

How to get help for alcohol use disorder and depression

If you struggle with either a depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder, or both simultaneously, please know it can be possible to learn how to better manage your symptoms. While both disorders can have serious impacts on your life, working with professionals can lead to improved mental health and overall well-being.

Additionally, while there may be certain aspects of both disorders that can be treated at the same time, and there can be correlations between the two, the misuse of alcohol and depression are generally two separate and complex issues with symptoms that should be targeted separately.

For example, psychotherapy can help with the treatment of depression, and it can also help you explore the reasons that compel you to drink. However, alcoholism may require assistance from addiction specialists at a treatment center, and depression may warrant the use of medication in some situations.

Finding therapy for depression

Therapy can be useful for treating depression, which may also help with alcohol misuse. If you address alcohol use issues but not depression, it may be challenging not to relapse without investigating and learning how to cope with depression.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is often used to help individuals who are living with depression, and it may also prove useful for those living with alcohol use disorder. CBT usually aims to help a person recognize and change their negative thoughts and beliefs. Some research shows that combining CBT with motivational interviewing may help those with comorbid alcohol use disorder and major depression.

When you’re facing alcohol use disorder and depression, you may find it difficult to seek help, even if you believe you need to do so. Feelings of shame, guilt, and embarrassment can make it difficult to sit down with a therapist in person or sit in a waiting room with other people. Additionally, depression may limit your energy and motivation, and therefore make it difficult to leave the home. Online therapy offers a potentially more convenient and discrete option. Since you can meet with your therapist from anywhere with a strong internet connection, you can even attend your appointments from home.

A review of research studies reports that online CBT can be even more effective than in-person CBT at reducing the symptoms of depression. Additionally, individuals attending online therapy typically felt just as satisfied with their treatment as those attending in-person therapy.