Alcohol can affect a person’s mental health. It may feel helpful to drink to mask mood problems but in the long run, it can be damaging.

Heavy drinking can complicate or mimic practically every psychiatric syndrome seen in the mental health setting, making it difficult to accurately assess a patient’s psychiatric complaints (Anthenelli 1997; Modesto-Lowe and Kranzler 1999). This is especially true for mood disorders.

Depression

Heavy drinking directly affects various brain chemical and hormonal systems known to play a role in the development of many mental disorders, including depression. As a result, alcoholics often present with a wide range of psychiatric symptoms and signs (Helzer and Przybeck 1988).

Alcohol can lower the levels of serotonin in your body which helps regulate your mood. Low levels of this chemical can lead to negative emotional responses and feelings of hopelessness, guilt, helplessness, low self-esteem and low sex drive.

It can be difficult to determine whether depression causes alcoholism or vice versa – in fact, it’s often both. People who have been diagnosed with both depression and AUD often start to feel better within weeks of stopping or cutting down their alcohol intake.

Anxiety

Alcohol increases levels of 'feel good' chemicals in the brain which can initially lead to feelings of relaxation, sociability and confidence. However, when these chemicals wear off and your blood alcohol content (BAC) starts to fall, you may experience depressive symptoms such as anxiety.

Moreover, drinking can lower your inhibitions and you might say or do things that you wouldn't normally do. This can cause embarrassment and anxiety later, especially when you sober up.

Although it's not clear why, anxiety disorders appear to co-occur with alcohol misuse. People who drink more than the recommended guidelines are also at increased risk for anxiety disorders.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

People with OCD often struggle with feelings of anxiety, shame and embarrassment that can be heightened when they drink. Using alcohol to find relief from these feelings can lead to abuse, dependence and addiction.

Research has linked OCD with low levels of a neurotransmitter called serotonin. Serotonin plays a role in a number of mental health conditions, including alcohol use disorder (AUD).

Some medical professionals believe that people who have both AUD and OCD may experience more severe mental health issues than those who only struggle with one condition. People with a co-occurring diagnosis are also at greater risk for physical health problems. Finding treatment that addresses both disorders is critical to recovery. At Beach House, we offer dual diagnosis programs to ensure the most effective treatment possible.

Mood Disorders

The onset of mood disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety disorders can be closely linked to alcohol abuse. These mood disorders are commonly co-occurring with AUD. Internalizing disorders (such as depressive or anxiety) tend to co-occur with AUD more frequently than do externalizing disorders (such as psychotic, sleep, sexual, delirious or memory disorders).

However, it can be difficult for clinicians to distinguish independent psychiatric symptoms and signs from symptom clusters induced by heavy alcohol use. It is also helpful to determine whether a patient’s psychiatric symptoms and signs precede or follow their alcohol use.

For example, confusion and changes in vision and hearing that occur in Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome often co-occur with a history of alcohol abuse or dependence. Consequently, it is important for clinicians to carefully assess and treat each of these problems.

Suicide

Many people who struggle with suicidal thoughts turn to alcohol as a way to escape their pain. Unfortunately, this can also cause them to distance themselves from friends and family who could offer support, leading to isolation. Alcohol can also lead to decreased inhibitions, which may make it easier to act on suicidal thoughts.

Researchers found that those who have a history of substance misuse have higher rates of suicide than the general population. However, they did not find any pattern based on levels of consumption, except for those with “probable dependence” who were at the highest risk. If you or someone you know is struggling with depression, substance abuse, or both, get help now. Our dual diagnosis treatment program in Gahanna, Ohio can help you take your first step toward recovery.