Heavy Drinking And Depression: Mental Health Effects Of Alcohol
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What is alcohol use disorder (formerly known as alcoholism)?
Symptoms of alcohol use disorder
- Difficulty stopping drinking once started
- Problems with cutting down on consumption
- Frequent alcohol cravings
- Functional difficulties in one's career, relationships, or personal life
- Physical illness
- Shakiness
- Irritability
- Stomach pain
- Sweating
- "Blackouts"
Treatment for alcohol use disorder
Treatment for alcohol use disorder often consists of therapy, medication, and in some cases, inpatient health care. Alcohol counseling or therapy may help an individual control behavior that may lead to drinking, and medication can help manage the cognitive and physical effects of the disorder. In some cases, inpatient treatment is recommended to provide a controlled environment with a complete treatment team of nurses, therapists, and doctors.
What is depression?
Depression is a term to refer to a group of mood disorders known as depressive disorders. It is characterized by feelings of sadness, fatigue, and a lack of motivation. Depression can adversely impact an individual's ability to function and lead to comorbid disorders like anxiety disorder or alcohol use disorder. Also, according to the Mayo Clinic, alcohol use disorder often coexists with bipolar disorder, which can lead a person to experience depression, manic episodes, or both.
Symptoms of depression
Depressive disorders can affect an individual's mental, emotional, and physical health. One of the most recognizable symptoms of depression is a persistent feeling of sadness or despair. In addition to a sustained low mood, an individual with a depressive disorder may experience anxiety, trouble concentrating, irritability, and a lack of interest in previously enjoyed activities. Depression can also cause physical symptoms, such as shifts in weight, disruptions to sleep patterns, and joint or muscle pain.
Depression treatment
A combination of therapy and medication is often recommended for managing symptoms of depressive disorders. Treatment used for depression may include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and interpersonal therapy (IPT), among many others. Therapy can help an individual learn more about their depressive symptoms, provide them with support, and give them the tools necessary to manage depression independently.
Medication for depression may alleviate symptoms and improve the efficacy of therapy. Consult a medical or mental health professional before starting, changing, or stopping medication for a depressive disorder or other conditions.
The connections between heavy drinking and depression
According to the National Institute On Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, mental health conditions are one of the leading risk factors for alcohol use disorder. Research shows that depression is the most common comorbidity with alcohol use disorder. Because alcohol acts as a depressant, it can cause feelings and symptoms often associated with depression, including profound sadness. Additionally, many people use drinking to cope with low mood, so depression may be a risk factor for problematic alcohol use. This crossover between alcohol and depression can harm a person's mental, physical, and emotional well-being.
Potential effects of alcohol to cope with symptoms of depression
Some people use alcohol to cope with their feelings regarding daily life. When someone living with depression drinks to alleviate symptoms, it can affect the neurotransmitters within their brain. The chemicals in the brain that control a person's emotional state and reward system may experience rapid fluctuations, which can make the individual feel better temporarily, but exacerbate their symptoms in the long term. This is why drinking may become a cycle.
The commonality between drinking and depression
Another commonality between drinking and depression comes in the form of hereditary susceptibility. If someone has relatives who previously experienced alcohol use disorder or depression or are currently diagnosed, it may increase their likelihood of facing these concerns themselves.
How to reduce alcohol consumption to prevent further mental health challenges
There are several ways you may reduce alcohol use in your life so that your drinking doesn't lead to further mental health challenges.
Develop a support network
If your relationship with alcohol has become unhealthy, ensuring a support network can be vital. Try spending more time with friends or family members who don't drink. You could also join organizations promoting an alcohol-free lifestyle or find meetups with people trying to limit their consumption.
Some people use free support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous to benefit from valuable guidance and useful insights from people with similar concerns.
Avoid drinking influences
Being in the company of people who drink frequently may make it more challenging to limit your alcohol consumption. If you often drink more around some friends and loved ones, consider setting boundaries with these individuals. For example, you can choose to spend time with certain people at specific times or in a limited number of situations to try to limit your own drinking.
You can also get rid of any alcohol you keep in your home. Having easy availability to beer, liquor, or wine can make it harder to abstain during challenging moments. Additionally, consuming media that promotes alcohol consumption—including certain movies, TV shows, or magazines—could tempt you to drink. Limiting negative influences can be a first step toward abstinence from drinking.
Keep a journal
Additionally, a journal offers a space to set goals regarding your consumption. For example, you could write down that you'd like to limit yourself to only two drinks per week. You can create a chart for each day of the month and fill in a bubble each time you meet your goal. You can then modify your goal as you get used to drinking less.
Engage in healthy activities
Partaking in activities that occupy your body and mind may help you avoid turning to alcohol when you feel bored or upset. You can try multiple sober activities, including but not limited to hiking, painting, playing board games, or spending time at a bookstore.
Mental health support for depression and alcoholism
Treatment for comorbid alcohol use disorder and major depressive disorder typically involves psychotherapy and medication. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, this combined approach can be more effective than utilizing one or the other.
Online therapy can help improve the symptoms of depression
Research shows that online therapy can help those who are living with symptoms of depression and misusing alcohol. For example, in one study, researchers found that online cognitive-behavioral therapy could effectively treat comorbid depression and alcohol use disorder, with results suggesting it was as effective as in-person treatment. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a widely utilized intervention that helps individuals recognize and replace maladaptive thought patterns that may accompany major depressive disorder.
If you're living with depression, concerned about your alcohol use, or experiencing other mental health-related challenges, help is available. With an online therapy platform like BetterHelp, you can participate in therapy remotely, which may be helpful if depression makes it hard for you to leave the house. You can also contact your therapist outside of sessions. If you're having trouble avoiding drinking in a particular situation, you can message your therapist at that moment for support, and they'll respond when they're available.
Takeaway
Depression and alcohol use have a complex connection that can make managing symptoms of either condition challenging. If you are in a situation where you are experiencing depression, alcohol use disorder, excessive drinking, or similar concerns, know that help is available. Working with a licensed therapist, you can navigate these mental health challenges, improve your emotional well-being, and live a life free of substance use.
What are the effects of alcohol on your mental health?
The effects of alcohol vary from person to person. Some people drink without problems, whereas others struggle to manage alcohol and mental well-being. Across the board, alcohol is a depressant. With that in mind, alcohol's status as a depressant is one reason it may worsen depressive symptoms or prompt depression symptoms linked to major depressive disorder or other depressive disorders.
Some examples of adverse impacts that alcohol can have on mental health include suicidal thoughts, anger or irritation towards others, or feelings of prolonged sadness and hopelessness. These effects can be more severe in people with co-occurring mental disorders or those with a family history of depression or alcohol problems.
In some cases, drinking alcohol may become a way to cope with negative feelings or unresolved trauma, increasing risk factors for both alcohol misuse and major depression. If you struggle with mental health, stopping alcohol use may be the most effective way to reduce these symptoms. However, abrupt cessation can sometimes lead to withdrawal symptoms and requires the guidance of a healthcare professional. If you experience alcohol withdrawal, alcohol dependence, or alcohol poisoning, seek medical support from a detox center or medical provider.
Why do people with depression turn to heavy drinking?
Not everyone with depression drinks alcohol, and not every person with an alcohol use disorder develops depression. However, there are several reasons individuals living with depression may turn to drinking alcohol. Some might seek to alleviate depression, numb themselves, or escape various stressors. Others might use drinking as a social activity to connect with friends who drink.
In some cases, underlying drinking habits can worsen the situation, especially for those diagnosed with major depressive disorder or related mental health problems. It may also be important to consider the influence of socioeconomic status or past experiences with substance misuse, which may increase vulnerability. Over time, patterns like this can lead to alcohol problems that require professional support.
Is drinking alone a warning sign of an alcohol use disorder?
Drinking alone is not an inherently positive or negative sign. Many people consume alcohol by themselves and don't have any issues. However, others may drink alone to cope with mental illness or unaddressed mental health problems. It may be helpful to understand the warning signs of an alcohol use disorder, which can include patterns of alcohol misuse or other alcohol problems that interfere with daily functioning.
In some cases, drinking alone may be connected to substance misuse or an attempt to manage depressive symptoms, but drinking alone may not be enough to reach a complete conclusion about someone's mental state.
Does alcohol consumption kill brain cells?
Alcohol does not kill brain cells with regular usage. However, it can impact and impair the functionality of brain cells and different parts of the brain. The frequency at which a person drinks and whether they're drinking alcohol in moderation or excess can determine how alcohol affects their brain.
Studies related to brain-alcohol interactions suggest that while neurons may survive, their ability to function efficiently can decline, especially in heavy drinkers or those with ongoing alcohol problems.
Damage to the brain chemicals involved in memory and emotional regulation may also occur. Long-term effects could potentially contribute to depressive symptoms and other health problems, particularly if paired with substance use or underlying medical conditions. These changes don’t necessarily mean the brain cells are destroyed, but their altered state may contribute to physical and mental health consequences over time.
Does alcohol use make you dumb?
Alcohol and substance use disorders can cause changes in cognitive function, which may impair memory or decision-making abilities. Alcohol affects the brain’s cognitive processes, and if individuals regularly drink in excess, the effects may get worse over time. While these effects can impair mental function, it does not change someone's inherent intelligence. People who use alcohol excessively may notice worsened symptoms of depression. Drinking too much can also make anxiety worse, which can complicate treatment.
For those who experience depressive symptoms, drinking can worsen their condition. In severe cases, depressed patients may be more likely to develop behavior linked to problem drinkers. It’s important to seek medical treatment and, if necessary, turn to support groups like Smart Recovery or self-help groups to reduce drinking. Taking antidepressant medication may also be recommended for managing symptoms while stopping drinking.
What's considered heavy drinking?
Heavy drinking may include three to four drinks in one day or eight to fifteen drinks within seven days. It can also be defined by the number of drinks someone has in one sitting or within a few hours. In clinical settings, diagnostic criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders may be used to assess patterns of alcohol use.
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, individuals who regularly drink beyond certain limits, especially heavy drinkers, may be at increased risk for developing depressive symptoms, health conditions, or a major depressive episode.
Monitoring your intake of average-strength beer or other alcoholic beverages and seeking medical treatment if needed may reduce risks. For some genetically susceptible individuals, even moderate alcohol use can contribute to depressed mood, anxiety, or bipolar disorder episodes.
Can the brain heal itself from alcohol?
Alcohol use disorder and related substance use and other disorders can seriously impact the brain and physical health. However, alcohol's adverse impacts on the brain may be reversed once the individual ceases drinking. After just a few weeks of stopping, some changes may become noticeable.
Sometimes, doctors may prescribe certain medications, like antidepressant medication, to help support recovery and lower the chance of self-harm. Getting treatment from general psychiatry or healthcare professionals could be important during this time. Knowing how alcohol affects the brain may help you realize that medical care and healthy habits matter.
What happens after two weeks of no alcohol?
After two weeks of no alcohol consumption, several changes can occur. The adverse impacts experienced by alcohol use disorder can begin to reverse themselves, leading to potentially noticeable differences.
Some of these noticeable differences may include the following:
Weight loss
Water retention loss from the body
Happiness and joy
Improved sleep
Healthier skin
During this time, some people may start taking antidepressants to support recovery and reduce risks like self-harm.
What are the signs of liver damage from alcohol?
Liver damage from alcohol is a serious consequence of alcohol use disorder and heavy drinking, which is why a treatment center may be recommended for those who stop drinking after heavy use.
Some of the first signs of liver damage from alcohol include the following:
Loss of reduction of appetite
Liver swelling
Abdominal pain
Sudden weight loss
Nausea or throwing up
Does your liver repair if you stop drinking?
Despite the severe impacts that alcohol use disorder can have on the liver, your liver may be able to repair itself if you stop drinking. When possible, the repair process begins when your liver no longer must work to break down substantial amounts of consumed alcohol.
However, there may be cases where so much damage is done to the liver that repairs aren't possible. This process might occur if your liver has experienced diseases like cirrhosis. This severe and sometimes permanent condition is another reason why reducing alcohol consumption can be essential.
Drinking and depressive disorder
The relationship between drinking alcohol & depressive disorder can be complex, but help is available if you need support.
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