The Link Between Drinking Alcohol And Anxiety

Medically reviewed by Laura Angers Maddox, NCC, LPC and Julie Dodson, MA, LCSW
Updated October 11, 2024by BetterHelp Editorial Team
Content warning: Please be advised, the below article might mention substance use-related topics that could be triggering to the reader. If you or someone you love is struggling with substance use, contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). Support is available 24/7. Please see our Get Help Now page for more immediate resources.

Anxiety can be the cause of a myriad of other concerns, such as seclusion and delusion, or it can be a symptom of another issue entirely, such as an issue within the gut. Certain foods and drinks can exacerbate the symptoms of anxiety, while others can aid in quelling anxious feelings. 

Alcohol can contribute to or exacerbate symptoms of anxiety. Understanding the relationship between this substance and mental health can be important for overall well-being. Learn how anxiety and alcohol use are connected and what resources are available to support you when anxious feelings arise. 

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Many people turn to alcohol to ease anxiety
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How alcohol affects the body and mind

Alcohol has a powerful effect on the body, impacting numerous pathways and functions your body uses to operate at its best. Alcohol is most known for its inebriating effect, but the entirety of the picture demonstrates far more than just the state of intoxication. Instead, every bodily system has a different reaction to alcohol, and each system has the potential to adversely affect an existing anxiety condition or contribute to the development of one.

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, your brain on alcohol is not able to fully communicate. The most readily demonstrable effect of this is difficulty managing speech—think slurred speech and mumbling, for instance. Underneath these visible changes may be potentially more damaging effects, however.

For example, alcohol also has a significant effect on the heart. Even imbibing too much in one outing can cause physical symptoms that impact the heart, including arrhythmia, stroke, high blood pressure, and other symptoms. Anxiety, too, can contribute to the development of high blood pressure, making heart issues and alcohol consumption companions to anxiety.

Other bodily systems and organs affected by alcohol include the pancreas, which is responsible for processing toxins and can lead to a decline in the gut, and the liver, which is also responsible for processing and filtering toxins. Your overall immune system can also be affected. 

Alcohol, mood, and panic attacks

Alcohol also interrupts your body's ability to control mood. In a single sitting, this could mean that you feel grumpy (or exuberant) after having a drink. Over time, however, your brain may lose its ability to effectively manage your mood overall, leading to mood instability, irritability, and feelings of anxiety.

Alcohol and panic attacks can go hand-in-hand for some people. Alcohol has been shown to affect levels of brain chemicals and other neurotransmitters, changing the way your body reacts to scenarios you encounter in your daily life. While a single drink can stimulate GABA and make you feel calm, heavy drinking can deplete GABA and lead to increased tension and a higher risk of experiencing a panic attack or other anxiety symptoms. 

Alcohol and anxiety: Can the two ever mix?

Some people attempt to use alcohol as a balm for anxiety, whether it is consumed as "liquid courage" on a first date or following a taxing day at work as a way to relax. Whether it’s used to try and prevent or soothe anxiety, the science is clear: Alcohol can negatively affect the body and can contribute to the development and exacerbation of anxiety disorders.

That said, not everyone who consumes alcohol will experience the onset of an anxiety disorder, nor will everyone with an anxiety disorder turn to alcohol for relief. Instead, there may be a link to the severity of anxiety and its root cause when alcohol is utilized, and there may be specific biological and mental factors involved in individuals experiencing anxiety.

Alcoholism and anxiety: comorbidity of alcohol misuse and anxiety disorders

Someone who experiences both social anxiety disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, for instance, may be more likely to latch onto the relief alcohol brings. Similarly, an individual with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and severe anxiety might crave the (albeit temporary) relief brought on by consuming alcohol in stressful situations or following a high-stress event. Conversely, someone who has a condition such as a panic disorder, social phobia, or other anxiety disorders, but has systems in place to vent and relieve that anxiety, may be less likely to turn to alcohol.
Individuals who consume alcohol as a balm for anxiety are more likely to develop a substance use disorder. As tolerance grows, the need for greater levels of alcohol increases, leading to increased quantities being consumed in a single setting. Consuming alcohol in this way can create a dramatic rewiring of the brain, which links alcohol consumption and anxiety on a molecular level. 

Can drinking alcohol help with anxiety symptoms or when feeling anxious?

The “assistance” provided by alcohol is temporary at best and is far more akin to the proverbial "Band-Aid for a bullet wound" than it is to an actual aid for anxiety. Although alcohol is a sedative and can have a calming effect on the nervous system in the wake of stress, pain, or distress, the calm is temporary rather than lasting relief. Instead, if used regularly, your body will require more and more alcohol to reach a sedated state and may even develop an alcohol dependence, thus creating a vicious cycle that can be hard to break.

In other words, alcohol is not a truly useful tool in managing or suppressing anxiety. Because it alters the chemical function of your body, using alcohol to soothe anxiety may only create more problems, both mentally and physically. Dependence can happen quickly and easily especially if you are already prone to obsessive or addictive behavior.

Treating anxiety alone can prove difficult and can require months or years of therapy. The need for addiction treatment on top of anxiety treatment can create additional barriers to healing and can prove costly, both in terms of money and time. 

Additional ways alcohol can lead to anxiety

The mental distress created by alcohol consumption can also be problematic. Because alcohol can create a disconnect in your brain, leading to legitimate memory loss and confusion, a night of heavy drinking could induce panic and anxiety the next day, as the effects of the alcohol wear off and you work to replay what happened.

Many people turn to alcohol to ease anxiety
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Anxiety can also come as a result of peer pressure. If alcohol consumption is something you engage in out of a fear of missing out or being mocked in social situations, anxiety will precede your drinking session, will likely persist in the midst of drinking, and is likely to continue following your session. Drinking out of a sense of obligation or social pressure is driven by anxiety at its outset and can further complicate your symptoms.

Mental health therapy for alcohol and anxiety disorders

Alcohol may seem to be a useful tool in an arsenal designed to combat anxiety and mitigate its symptoms, but it can gradually become an even greater liability. Over time, its consumption can create mental and physical barriers to wellness, including the onset of actual mood disorders and difficulty maintaining a state of peace and well-being. If anxiety is already present, it can worsen due to an imbalance within your brain. If anxiety was not previously a concern, it could develop.

Treating conditions like generalized anxiety disorder and substance use disorders

If you’re experiencing anxiety, a substance use disorder, or both, it may be best to speak to a mental health professional. Counselors can help you learn new relaxation techniques to implement when you’re feeling anxious instead of leaning on the assistance of alcohol.

Of course, this can be difficult if you’re experiencing common symptoms like fatigue or isolation, or if you feel nervous about someone seeing you at your clinician’s office. In such cases, online therapy could present a viable alternative. This type of therapy can be reached from home. Plus, you can chat with a licensed therapist in a more relaxed setting compared to a clinical office environment. Research suggests that online therapy can be as effective as in-person therapy for treating anxiety symptoms in many cases.

Online therapy has been proven effective in treating anxiety among some populations. One recent study examined the effects of both online and in-person treatments on college students experiencing symptoms of anxiety. In analyzing the results, they found no significant differences regarding outcomes. 

Takeaway

Anxiety and alcohol use can be linked, with one often exacerbating the other. If a mental health condition like anxiety already exists, drinking has the potential to worsen symptoms. If one is not already present, drinking may cause its onset. Ultimately, alcohol should never be used as a balm or a replacement for therapy or self-care. If you’re experiencing challenges related to anxiety symptoms or substance use, it’s generally recommended that you reach out to a mental health professional for support.
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