Alcohol is often seen as a means of relaxation. It provides us with an escape from everyday worries and emotional pain. Alcohol and mental health are closely related. Excessive drinking can affect your well-being, and conversely, people may drink to try to change their mood, deal with depression or stress, or alleviate symptoms of mental illness. But there are better ways to help yourself. We’ll show you how to do it below.
Alcohol as an escape
Alcohol has long been used as a stress and anxiety reliever. For many people, it is a quick and easy way to cope with pain. At the same time, it is socially acceptable, easily accessible to adults, and its consumption is legal from a certain age. So what does he offer his victims?
Feelings of relief and joy, which, however, are short-lived. After it subsides, the problems return, and often more intensively, because:
Alcohol brings new problems: Alcohol can worsen existing problems and cause new ones, such as health, legal or financial problems and:
Risk of addiction: Regular consumption of alcohol can lead to physical and psychological addiction, which can destroy our body in many ways.
How does alcohol addiction develop?
Alcoholism is a chronic disease that develops as follows:
Experimental phase: We drink occasionally, often in social situations.
Regular consumption: Drinking becomes more frequent, we drink to relieve stress and anxiety.
Problem drinking: Alcohol starts to negatively affect our lives, but we still continue to drink.
Addiction: Not being able to control our alcohol consumption makes us physically and psychologically dependent
Why people prefer alcohol to therapy
There are several reasons why people turn to alcohol rather than therapy.
Social norms: which in this case are often observed on men. Men are often stigmatized to appear strong, self-sufficient and unyielding. However, seeking help requires accepting one’s vulnerability and limited abilities. Unfortunately, this is considered a weakness for many, and that’s why suppressing emotions is a better option for them.
Financial convenience: Alcohol is readily available and its consumption is socially accepted, while therapy can be financially and time-consuming. Not to mention, many of us don’t want to be judged for seeing a therapist.
Ignorance: Many of us do not realize that our problems could be effectively addressed through therapy. No one taught us and many of us have never tried terpaia. Alcohol provides immediate, albeit short-lived, relief.
Psychological and social effects: Alcohol has a serious impact on our psyche and above all on our environment. Dependence on alcohol can lead to significant problems in both work and private life. Relationship problems, reduced work performance and job loss are some of the possible consequences. Family and friends often suffer as a result of the addict’s behavior. Irresponsibility can lead to:
Family conflict: Alcoholism can lead to frequent arguments, abuse and breakdown of family relationships.
Financial problem: Alcohol expenses and related problems (loss of job, fines) can cause financial difficulties for the family.
Negative impact on children: Children of addicted parents often suffer emotionally and psychologically, which can have long-term consequences for their development and mental health.
What effect does alcohol have on mental health and brain activity?
Alcohol vs. anxiety and depression
Alcohol and depression are closely linked and can worsen each other, creating a vicious circle in which one problem worsens the other. Alcohol, although it may initially appear to relieve anxiety or depressive feelings, often worsens these conditions in the long run.
Although there may be a feeling of euphoria or relief at the beginning of alcohol consumption, after it wears off, alcohol has a depressing effect on the brain and nervous system. This can contribute to feelings of sadness, emptiness or hopelessness. People who regularly consume alcohol have a higher risk of developing clinical depression. Depression can develop as a secondary effect of long-term drinking, even in persons who have not previously experienced depressive states.
Many people with depression or anxiety use alcohol as a form of self-medication to relieve anxiety, sadness or stress. This way of coping can improve mood in the short term, but worsens depressive symptoms in the long term. This leads to a cycle where people drink more to make themselves feel better, but end up getting more depressed. After excessive consumption of alcohol, people may be exposed to so-called anxiety after a hangover or deepening sadness when the effects of alcohol wear off. The condition is caused by disruption of brain chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin, which are key to feelings of happiness and well-being. Not only does alcohol directly contribute to anxiety states, it can also worsen existing anxiety disorders such as: generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder and panic disorder – alcohol can make panic attacks more likely to occur.
Increasing the risk of suicidal thoughts
Long-term excessive alcohol use is associated with a higher incidence of suicidal thoughts and attempts. Depressed people who drink excessively may be more prone to dangerous or impulsive behaviour, including self-harm, which increases their risk of serious consequences.
Worsening of anxiety after alcohol
After drinking alcohol, especially in large quantities, a condition sometimes referred to as “monkey anxiety” can occur. As the body rids itself of alcohol, there are drastic changes in neurotransmitter levels in the brain, leading to physical and emotional symptoms such as further progression of anxiety, nervousness, tremors and panic attacks.
Alcohol and psychosis
Alcoholic psychosis is a condition characterized by the occurrence of so-called psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations (most often auditory), delusions, paranoid thoughts and disorganized thinking. Risk factors for the development of psychosis from alcohol are its long-term use, previous mental illness and poor nutrition (especially lack of vitamin B1).
There are two main types of psychosis associated with alcohol consumption:
Acute alcoholic hallucinosis: This condition can occur during heavy drinking or shortly after a person stops drinking. It is characterized by auditory hallucinations, where the person may hear voices giving orders or accusing them.
Delirium tremens and withdrawal psychosis: This is a severe form of withdrawal syndrome (drug withdrawal syndrome) that can occur when people who are addicted to alcohol suddenly stop drinking. Hallucinations, tremors, disorientation, anxiety, and paranoia may occur along with delirium.
This condition is particularly dangerous and requires medical attention.
Alcohol is never an effective solution. While social norms and availability make it an attractive choice, it is important to be aware of the risks associated with its excessive use. Seeking professional help and therapy is a more effective and sustainable solution. That’s why it’s important to educate yourself about healthier ways to manage stress and promote a culture of openness. A culture where admitting your flaws and vulnerabilities will not be a weakness, but a strength that will unite us. Together we can overcome all the pitfalls of life, without alcohol and without addictions.
