Do Alcohol and Anxiety Mix or Should we be Abstaining?
Now that’s a fairly deep question? First off I do want to say that my answer is based on my own experience and research and is not a professional opinion, should not be taken as advise etc etc.
We’re all adults here and we are all capable of thinking for ourselves but here’s my take on the situation. Limited alcohol consumption is considered to be acceptable in lots of different situations. Who hasn’t poured themselves a glass or two of wine on a Friday evening or had a glass or two to celebrate something. It is considered acceptable, in some cases it would almost be rude not to accept when offered a glass of wine or beer.
But be warned….there are lots of studies that show a relationship between anxiety and alcohol, in particular between anxiety disorders and alcohol abuse.
Alcohol produces a sedative effect, a sense of euphoria and confidence so it should come as no surprise that anyone who is, for example, suffering from a social phobia or agoraphobia may well start having a drink or two to put themselves at ease in social situations. Sounds like a reasonable idea at first, a drink or two just to loosen up but the long term effects of doing that aren’t so good. The alcohol can become a crutch on which you start to rely so you start to avoid any social situation where you are unable to drink.
You can also start to build a tolerance to drink so that you need more and more “Dutch courage” to venture out. Gradually the social phobia or agoraphobia worsens simply because you become more aware of it and unable to cope without a drink. A slippery slope!
Interestingly, we tend to drink differently if we are suffering from generalized anxiety disorder or panic attacks. Research has shown that drinking problems often start at about the same time as GAD or panic attacks suggesting that alcohol abuse and its side effects could actually be one of the mechanisms that triggers generalized anxiety and panic. Drinking too much and suffering a hangover produces many of the same side effects as a panic attack so we may be sensitizing the body and inviting panic attacks by drinking to excess.
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms can include, panic attacks, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, higher blood pressure and elevated heart rate and general agitation. Bearing this in mind you can see how it would be easy to slip from this to a panic disorder.
It’s not called the “Demon Drink” for nothing.
When I was recovering from anxiety and panic I had a couple of simple rules as regards drinking. Whenever I got home from work and fancied a drink to help me unwind, I would have a cup coffee (decaf of course) and wait half an hour. If I still wanted one I would have it and enjoy it but probably 75% of the time the feeling had passed after half an hour.
And I never drank more than a couple of drinks which for me meant two small bottles of beer, two small glasses of wine or two single shots of scotch.(Malt of course)
All things in moderation! After all, you’ve still got to enjoy life and relax.
Just be honest with yourself! If it becomes a problem, cut it out or get help.
Read How does Exercise help us to Cope with Anxiety next