I recently had a friend reach out and ask me to discuss this particular topic.
Alcohol is a large part of the American culture.
Nearly everywhere you go, from small towns to big cities, ball games, bars, or backyard barbeques, alcohol is usually the most prevalent form of entertainment.
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism states that “According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 85.6 percent of people ages 18 or older reported that they drank alcohol at some point in their lifetime; 69.5 percent reported that they drank in the past year; 54.9 percent reported that they drank in the past month.”
Over a quarter of people say that they binge drink at least once per month.
The economic burden of alcohol in 2010 was $249.0 billion.
Alcohol has a tremendous impact on many American’s lives.
But let’s get back to the original numbers. Nearly seven out of ten people drink at least once a year. Many of them drink much more than that. Drinking has become a large part of many cultures worldwide. And because of its excesses, it causes a slew of physical, mental, and emotional health problems.
Some disorders can arise.
ALCOHOL USE DISORDER
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) – The National Institute of Health defines AUD as “Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a medical condition characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences. It encompasses the conditions that some people refer to as alcohol abuse, alcohol dependence, alcohol addiction, and the colloquial term, alcoholism. Considered a brain disorder, AUD can be mild, moderate, or severe. Lasting changes in the brain caused by alcohol misuse perpetuate AUD and make individuals vulnerable to relapse.”
AUD’s risks are associated with binge drinking and other forms of drinking quickly.
But they also have quite a bit to do with genetics, drinking at an early age, and mental illness.
I can tell you from experience; many people drink because they are concealing some mental health issue or trauma and pain.
Being aware of the possible negative side-effects is crucial.
ALCOHOL’S EFFECT ON ANXIETY
Now that we have a basic understanding of just how influential alcohol is on American culture, what are its impacts on anxiety?
Anxiety is one of the most significant areas that people try to conceal with drinking. I can think of numerous occasions that I tried masking my anxiety with alcohol. And the reason doesn’t have to be substantial, either.
Maybe you’re going on a first date, and you’re nervous.
Or you are going through the loss of a job, and you’re worried about paying bills.
Either way, alcohol often worsens anxiety.
Why?
Because alcohol affects serotonin levels in your brain and other neurotransmitters, which can worsen anxiety, you may feel even more anxiety after the alcohol wears off.
And this is where you can find yourself dealing with alcohol-induced anxiety.
This form of anxiety can sometimes last for hours or even an entire day after you stopped drinking.
According to American Addiction Centers, “A study done by the University of North Carolina School of Medicine showed that excessive drinking can lead to the rewiring of the brain. This can make an individual more susceptible to the development of anxiety problems. While alcohol abuse can increase a person’s risk for a traumatic event that could lead to post-traumatic stress disorder, the changes that can occur in an individual’s brain can be enough to increase their risk for anxiety issues. The UNC study showed that there is a connection between alcohol and anxiety on a molecular level.”
IN REVIEW
In conclusion, using alcohol to help alleviate anxiety is not a good idea.
Drinking alcohol increases anxiety and also has other negative side-effects that can be dangerous to one’s health.
If you’re struggling with severe forms of anxiety, the best practice is to seek professional help with a mental health professional or licensed therapist.
Alcohol will not help you manage the anxiety; it will only make it worse.
Although we strive to provide accurate general information, the information presented here is not a substitute for any kind of professional advice, and you should not rely solely on this information. Always consult a professional in the medical and health area for your particular needs and circumstances prior to making any medical or health-related decisions. For your health-related questions, please seek the advice of a licensed physician or any other qualified health care provider immediately.
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