Alcohol and Mental Health
Alcohol and mental health are closely linked. Clinical research has found that alcohol abuse frequently occurs alongside other mental health conditions either simultaneously or sequentially. Some of the most common mental health conditions that can co-occur with alcohol use disorder are depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma-related disorders, sleep disorders and other substance use disorders.
Alcohol is one of the most commonly used and commonly abused substances. This is because it is a legal substance. People have used alcohol for religious ceremonies, celebrations, socializing or even commiserating. Alcohol is often used to help change a person’s mood, feel more relaxed, feel more courageous or feel more confident. However, these effects are only temporary.
When people begin using alcohol as a coping mechanism to deal with their emotions, this can lead to dangerous consequences. Those who have a difficult time managing depression, stress or difficult feelings may turn to alcohol to numb their emotions or even completely block it out. This is when it can turn into problematic drinking and result in alcohol use disorder.
What is Alcohol Use Disorder?
Alcohol is a depressant drug that can disrupt the balance of neurotransmitters in your brain. It impacts your feelings, thoughts and behaviors. Alcohol can also affect the part of your brain that controls inhibition. This leads to initial feelings of relaxation. But when the effects wear off, users can experience adverse effects of depression and anxiety.
When users begin to rely on alcohol to manage their emotions and mental well-being, it often leads to tolerance, dependence and addiction. Alcohol addiction is also referred to as alcohol use disorder. It is a common disease and often goes undiagnosed and untreated.
Alcohol use disorder is characterized by problematic patterns of alcohol use leading to significant distress or problems with daily functioning. It is a medical disorder rooted in brain changes affecting the brain system for reward, motivation memory and other related circuitry.
Research shows when the brain’s reward center is flooded with alcohol, it can induce high levels of dopamine. The connection between drinking and the resulting pleasure can create a learned experience in the brain. It teaches the brain that I can only seek out alcohol to experience pleasure.
Studies show of adults 18 and over, an estimated 11% had an alcohol use disorder in the past year. Alcohol use disorder is the 4th leading cause of preventable death in the US. In 1980, the American Psychiatric Association identified substance use disorder as a primary mental health disorder in the 3rd edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. The DSM is the authoritative guide and industry standard for diagnosing mental health disorders in the US.
The relationship between Alcohol and Mental Health
Alcohol and mental health often go hand in hand. It is a readily available substance that is commonly used to cope with anxiety, depression and other mood disorders. It can relieve uncomfortable symptoms of difficult emotions temporarily. However, in the long run, it can cause adverse effects leading to another issue including heart conditions, liver conditions and damage to the brain.
On the other hand, preexisting mental health disorders can increase the risk of developing an alcohol use disorder. In fact, alcohol use disorders and psychiatric disorders often share genetic risks and environmental vulnerabilities. In most cases, alcohol use disorder and mental health disorders exacerbate each other making one or both conditions worse.
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Mental Health Disorders most often associated with Alcohol Use Disorder
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder – GAD typically presents with persistent and excessive worrying, poor sleep, fatigue and difficulty relaxing. In the US, among those with alcohol use disorder, anxiety disorders are the most prevalently found mental health conditions at 20-40%.
- Social Anxiety Disorder – Social anxiety disorder is characterized by extreme fear of situations involving the possibility of scrutiny by others or embarrassment by others.
- Panic Disorder – Panic disorders involve recurrent panic attacks of intense fear that can last several minutes to an hour. They often lead to changes in behavior to avoid specific circumstances.
- Major Depressive Disorder – Depression is when a person has one or more depressive episodes with at least 5 of the following symptoms lasting for more than 2 weeks. These symptoms include low mood, low energy, loss of interest in activities, irritability, insomnia, thoughts of guilt or worthlessness, significant weight loss or changes in appetite, reduced ability to concentrate, thoughts of death, thoughts of suicide or attempted suicide. It is one of the most common mental disorders in the US and can occur in people of all ages, genders and backgrounds. Alcohol is often used as a quick fix to suppress signs and symptoms of depression. With long-term use, alcohol will only make it worse.
- Bipolar Disorder – Bipolar disorder is characterized by cycles of mania or hypomania with or without depressive episodes. A person can experience very polarizing emotions from extreme highs to extreme lows. About 6 million Americans suffer from bipolar disorder.
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder – OCD is a common type of anxiety disorder that involves an uncontrollable obsession that triggers repeated compulsions. An estimated 24% of people with OCD also have an alcohol use disorder. Some people abuse alcohol as a way to cope with or escape intrusive thoughts.
- Sleep Disorders – Sleep conditions such as insomnia are common among those with alcohol use disorder. An estimated 36-91% of people who have and alcohol addiction also have problems sleeping.
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – PTSD is a trauma-based disorder in which an event that happened in the past can continue to trigger terrifying feelings. An estimated 15-30% of people diagnosed with alcohol use disorder also have PTSD. There are many symptoms of PTSD and alcohol use disorder that overlap.
What is the impact of a Dual Diagnosis?
Dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorders is when a substance use disorder like alcohol addiction occurs alongside a mental health disorder. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, about one-third of people who struggle with alcohol addiction and abuse also suffer from a mental illness. If left untreated, it can get out of control causing physical and psychological harm.
When a dual diagnosis occurs, it can cause dangerous side effects. Drinking alcohol can make symptoms of mental health worse. In fact, drinking any amount of alcohol can affect a person’s emotional well-being.
Alcohol can interrupt sleep and negatively affect healthy sleep patterns. It can increase symptoms of depression such as exhaustion and difficulty focusing and concentrating. Alcohol can reduce the effectiveness of antidepressant medications and increase unwanted side effects. Alcohol can increase risky behaviors. Drinking alcohol excessively lowers your inhibitions and increases your likelihood of impulsivity putting you in compromising situations.
Reach out to Hotel California by the Sea
We specialize in treating addiction and other co-occurring disorders, such as PTSD. Our Admissions specialists are available to walk you through the best options for treating your addiction.
Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder
Alcohol impacts mental health. Mental health impacts alcohol use. Both factors can lead to brain diseases causing serious effects on the mind and body. In fact, studies have even shown there is a genetic link between alcohol addiction and certain mental health diseases like mood disorders. The accessibility and availability of alcohol only fuels alcohol addiction. Behavioral health treatment programs such as Hotel California by the Sea specialize in substance addiction and alcohol use disorder.
We provide treatment at all levels of care including detox, residential, PHP and IOP. We utilize evidence-proven methods such as CBT, DBT and family therapy. Hotel California by the Sea is dedicated to helping our clients achieve their goals in recovery and overcome their alcohol addiction.
References:
https://jedfoundation.org/resource/understanding-the-mental-health-and-drinking-connection
https://www.alcoholhelp.com/resources/dual-diagnosis
https://www.hazeldenbettyford.org/articles/why-is-alcoholism-classified-as-a-mental-illness