There are a lot of people who deal with anxiety and stress by consuming alcohol. The question is can alcohol cause anxiety? It sure can. If you already have anxiety, alcohol consumption can worsen it. If you aren’t feeling anxious yet, when you drink, you are likely to feel shaky, nervous and anxious. 

If you have been drinking to deal with anxiety or your anxious feelings are caused by your drinking, our Southeast Addiction team has treatments that can help you starting today. 

Do You Unwind by Drinking Alcohol

Some people believe they can unwind by drinking alcoholic beverages. It may seem like that at the moment when you are drunk or even just buzzed. However, the problems you are running from are just going to get worse due to the money you spend on alcohol, being hungover, getting into legal trouble or slacking at work. Alcohol can cause anxious feelings, mood issues and difficulties in your intimate and other close relationships, too. 

Overall, alcoholic beverages won’t help you to unwind, they will just wind you up even tighter and cause more difficulties in your life. 

How Does Drinking Alcohol Make Anxiety Worse

Research shows that alcohol consumption alters serotonin and other neurotransmitter levels in the user’s brain. Some studies have shown that when these neurotransmitters are changed, the person is likely to experience worsened anxiety. In fact, after the alcohol wears off, the anxiety is probably going to get even worse. 

When you consume alcohol, the anxious thoughts and feelings you experience could last for hours or even the entire day after you have drank.

If you are drinking because you are trying to cope with an anxiety disorder, this can be extremely dangerous, especially if you are taking anxiety-reduction medications. Studies show that it is very common for people with certain anxiety disorders to get drunk – many times this happens with social anxiety disorder. Doing this is a dangerous slope and can lead you to an addictive lifestyle. Not to mention, the many other health issues that can result from abusing alcohol, too. 

Are You Dependent on Alcohol

Now that you know alcohol can cause anxious emotions , it may be good to figure out whether you are dependent on this substance. If you are, our Southeast Addiction treatment center team can get you the treatment that is needed to overcome the addiction and deal with your anxiety, as well. 

Some of the signs that you may be dependent on alcohol include:

• Drinking heavily 4 days or more each week
• Needing to drink first thing in the morning
• Drinking at all the get-togethers or events you go to
• Not being able to stop drinking when you say you are going to
• Drinking 5 alcoholic beverages or more in a day (regularly or almost every time you drink)

If you find that you relate to these alcohol dependency signs, you should reach out to our Southeast Addiction treatment team today. The sooner you get into a treatment program, the sooner you can save your own life and regain control over it, too.

Other Issues with Alcohol Abuse Leading to Physical and Mental Health Disorders

There are many long-term issues that can result from alcohol abuse, in addition to worsening anxiety. Studies show that drinking alcohol regularly can make it more difficult to deal with obstacles in life such as traumatic events. When someone isn’t able to handle trauma well, it can lead to a mental breakdown, psychosis, suicidal thoughts and many other mental health issues. 

Long-term alcohol abuse can also lead to brain damage which affects mood control and emotional regulation. This can lead to a range of mental and physical health conditions. 

Some of the physical health conditions that can occur as a result of alcohol abuse include:

• Obesity
• Depression
• Liver disease
• Heart issues
• Kidney damage

Don’t let your alcohol use disorder get any further out of control. Stopping it in its tracks now is one of the best things you can do for yourself, your life and your future. 

Common Ways to Treat Anxiety

Have you been using alcohol to cope with anxiety? If so, now is the time to realize that isn’t the way to go about it. In fact, your anxiety is probably much worse when you drink and after you drink, as well. 

The good news is there are many common, effective ways to treat anxious feelings and disorders. Some of these treatment options that may work well for you include:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• Socialization therapy
• Medications such as Zoloft
• Other individual therapy options
• Group therapy
• Support groups 
• Antidepressants 

If your doctor prescribes medication to help treat your anxiety, it is even more important that you don’t consume alcohol while taking these medications. There are dangerous interactions that can occur when combining alcohol and antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications. Sometimes, the interactions are even fatal. 

If you are having trouble managing your anxiety or need treatment for anxious thoughts, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team here at Southeast Addiction today. Our team is trained in handling alcohol use disorders, anxiety disorders and co-occurring disorders. 

Make the Best Lifestyle Changes to Lower Your Anxiety Levels

As you just read, there are many ways that we can treat your anxious thoughts and feelings. However, in addition to these treatments, there are some great lifestyle changes that you can make to lower your anxiety levels, too. Some of these changes are:

• Getting on a healthy sleep schedule (sleeping an average of 7 hours a night)
• Limiting alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine
• Eating healthy, consistent meals each day
• Setting time aside each day to relax (meditation, yoga, taking a walk, taking a hot bath, etc.)
• Listening to music
• Journaling 
• Choosing a relaxing hobby
• Doing something creative
• Practicing breathing techniques 
• Finding a calm place to think
• Talking to a friend or loved one
• Attending treatments
• Going to a support group
• Practicing positive affirmations
• Replacing negative thoughts with positive ones
• Counting from 1 to 10 repetitively until your anxiety reduces
• Focus on your senses (what do you smell, see, hear, taste, and feel)

If you can start making these lifestyle changes, you should notice a significant reduction in your anxiety levels. 

Get Treatment for an Alcohol Use and Anxiety Disorder Today

Do you use alcohol to cope with anxiety? If so, you are not alone. However, there are treatments you can receive and lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your anxious thoughts and emotions. 
Contact us today, here at Southeast Addiction Center, to start treating your alcohol use and anxiety disorders right away.