Modern life is great! Healthcare facilities are better. Transportation is lightning-fast. We have limited access to knowledge, machines that wash our clothes, point us where to go, and do our taxes. And we can very easily keep in touch with someone twenty thousand miles away, free of charge. Yet, despite all of these fantastic advantages, modernity comes with its share of problems that put unparalleled pressure on people – and many of them turn to alcohol to cope. So, yes: alcohol and stress are related. A good, stiff drink has long been hailed for its ability to soothe the nerves. However, this relationship goes two ways. Drinking can mask mental illness, and if done excessively, it can lead to addiction. Below, we explore this link between alcohol and stress.
Understanding stress
To understand how alcohol and stress are related, we must first understand stress. Physiologically, stress is virtually anything challenging our bodies to function in the usual fashion. For instance, when we’re ill, injured, or exposed to extreme temperatures, this can cause significant stress to our bodies. Depression, grief, and fear result in psychological stress.
Humans can adapt to situations that seem harmful or dangerous to them. It’s a complex process that allows our bodies to keep a delicate physiological balance, the so-called homeostasis. When the body experiences some form of stress, or even perceived stress, various physiological and behavioral changes are mobilized thanks to our endocrine and nervous systems. The goal? Maintaining homeostasis and dealing with stress.
Causes of stress
According to researchers, there are four main categories of stressors. For instance, general-life stressors include significant life changes, such as relocation, starting a new job, getting divorced, illness, death of a person close to us, and problems at work or home. However, it works and vice versa: excessive drinking can create general life stressors. For instance, loving an alcoholic might mean you’re experiencing various problems in the relationship. It can also cost you a job or cause some legal issues. The other categories include catastrophic events (man-made or natural), sexual, emotional, or physical abuse or neglect during childhood, and ethnic minority stress.
Alcohol’s effects on stress
That feeling of relaxation can often be attributed to your blood alcohol content. With the rise in BAC levels, you may experience feelings of excitement. But once the BAC levels drop again, excitement is replaced by feelings of depression. As a result, likely, grabbing a few drinks that make your BAC go up and then down to normal again can make you feel more anxious and stressed out when the alcohol wears off than before.
For instance, a lot of people dealing with a social anxiety disorder resort to alcohol as means of coping with social interactions. As a result, they develop a dependence on alcohol to feel comfortable during socializing, which can worsen the symptoms. However, it’s crucial to remember that alcohol is not a healthy way to treat social anxiety. Nowadays, a fully-licensed therapist with experience is only a click away. Many people with social anxiety resort to online therapy because they feel more comfortable. So, consider talking to a specialist online if you’re living with anxiety.
Can alcohol cause anxiety?
Alcohol alters the brain’s chemistry and resets what our body considers “normal.” The higher amounts of cortisol interact with its reward or pleasure systems, thus forcing people to consume more significant quantities to achieve the same effect over time. The body struggles to return to the initial hormonal balance point, meaning it has to set a new point of physiological functioning. We call this allostasis.
Moreover, cortisol can promote habit-based learning, which puts an individual at risk of becoming a habitual drinker and enhances the likelihood of relapse. In addition, researchers have made a connection between cortisol and higher chances of developing metabolic disorders and even depression.
However, no evidence supports the claim that moderate drinking causes anxiety.
Another way alcohol and stress are related is that alcohol withdrawal can also cause increased anxiety. In other words, consuming alcohol in large amounts over a period only to suddenly stop drinking. That can result in specific side effects, such as trembling hands, sweating, high heart rate, hallucinations, vomiting, and seizures. That can further aggravate anxiety and, eventually, lead you to begin drinking again. For this reason, detox aftercare is crucial.
Recovery
Further research into how alcohol and stress are related will significantly help healthcare providers. As for traditional methods for treating anxiety, the best fit depends on your type of anxiety. For instance, if you have GAD or generalized anxiety disorder, your doctor might suggest learning some crucial skills that help you stop avoiding stressful situations or talking about your anxiety with your therapist. Heavy consumption of alcohol is not a long-term solution. If you or someone you love struggle with stress-related alcohol use disorder, contact the admissions department at Divine Detox to learn more about recovery options.
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