Does Alcohol Cause Depression And Mental Health Problems?
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 the consumption of alcohol 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 It can be important to treat both depression and alcohol use disorder (note: “alcohol abuse disorder” is an outdated term), and you might choose to begin treatment with online therapy.
The effects of drinking alcohol on the brain
Alcohol is generally considered to be a depressant, 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.
What are the symptoms of depression?
Before we investigate the link between alcohol and depression, let’s clarify what depression is. Although it can be normal for individuals to be 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.
Does alcohol cause depression?
Many professionals agree that depression symptoms can cause people to start binge drinking and develop alcohol use problems, and alcohol use disorder (AUD) can also cause depressive disorders and exacerbate symptoms of other conditions like bipolar disorder. Research from the National Institutes of Health shows that these two disorders typically occur together more often than they would by chance alone.
It begs 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 treatment for alcohol use disorder (formerly alcoholism) and depression
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, alcohol use disorder may require assistance from addiction specialists at a treatment center, and depression may warrant the use of medication in some situations.
Therapy for substance abuse and 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 with depression, and it may also prove useful for those with alcohol use disorder. CBT aims to help a person recognize and change their negative thoughts. Some research from 2013 shows that combining CBT with motivational interviewing may help those with comorbid alcohol use disorder and major depression.
Online therapy for mental health and addiction
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. 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, therefore making it difficult to leave the home. Online therapy may offer a more convenient 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.
Frequently asked questions
Does alcoholism cause depression?
Alcohol misuse can worsen depressive symptoms that were already present. Alcohol also affects mood and brain chemistry quite directly, so regularly drinking alcohol is considered one of the risk factors for developing depression. The effects of chronic, heavy alcohol intake on physical health can also make depression worse.
What are the symptoms of depression?
According to the DSM-V, a manual detailing the diagnostic criteria for various mental disorders, considers the following to be symptomatic of major depression:
- Depressed mood
- Anhedonia
- Significant appetite or weight changes
- Undersleeping or oversleeping
- Physical agitation or malaise
- Fatigue or decreased productivity
- Strong, negative feelings of guilt or worthlessness
- Impaired cognition
- Recurring suicidal ideation
Note that there are multiple types of depression, each with their own criteria. In PMDD, for instance, these depressive symptoms only occur during the luteal phase of one’s menstrual cycle. In dysthymia, there are less severe symptoms that persist for several months to years at a time. Depression also frequently co-occurs with anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety and social phobia.
Is drinking too much considered a form of substance misuse?
Yes, alcohol use disorder is a condition. It is characterized by compulsive, heavy drinking that a person can’t stop, and a physical alcohol dependence that can make unmonitored detoxing life-threatening. It frequently leads to serious health conditions like heart disease, liver disease, or alcohol poisoning. Alcohol misuse is also a risk factor for self-harm and suicide.
What are the symptoms of alcoholism?
The American Psychiatric Association recognizes the following as being symptomatic of alcohol use disorder:
- Drinking heavily over a long period of time
- Urge to drink, even at the expense of other responsibilities (family, work, etc.)
- Giving up important activities because of one’s drinking habits
- Needing more alcohol to get the same effect, over time
- Performing hazardous acts while under the influence of alcohol, such as operating a vehicle
- Undergoing withdrawal symptoms when one stops drinking
- Being unable to reduce or eliminate alcohol use
Self-medication with alcoholic beverages can worsen depression over time, as well as make it more difficult to treat with pharmacologic treatments, therapies, or other options.
How does alcoholism cause mental health problems?
The impact alcohol has on one’s health and body—including on crucial brain chemical messengers like serotonin—is generally negative, especially over the long term. It is frequently used as a coping mechanism because it can make someone feel good in the short term, but over the long term alcohol can actually make depression and anxiety worse. Its use also puts one at an increased risk of several neurological disorders and physical disorders that put someone at a further increased risk for psychological conditions.
Can therapy help alcoholics?
Psychotherapy can alleviate symptoms in those who struggle with alcohol misuse and/or experience depressive symptoms, especially when taking antidepressant medications or other prescriptions isn’t possible.
How can I help an alcoholic person?
One of the best ways you can help someone with a substance use disorder is to provide them emotional and pragmatic support toward the goal of no longer misusing the substance. In the case of excessive alcohol use, you might recommend support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous, offer to drive them to a rehabilitation clinic, or help them secure medical care appointments and medications for physical or mental health conditions. Joining them in pursuing individual and social activities that benefit mental well-being can also be helpful.
Importantly, note that when someone has been struggling with long-term alcohol misuse, they’ll need a medically supervised detox. WIth long-term alcohol use, the brain becomes physically dependent on the substance. Consequently, if someone with alcoholism quits drinking cold turkey, they’ll start experiencing withdrawal symptoms—and some alcohol withdrawal symptoms are life-threatening.
Can therapy improve mental health?
Does drinking alcohol cause depression and anxiety in a person?
Does alcohol addiction and substance abuse make you feel depressed?
What is the most popular treatment for alcoholism?
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