Feeling extra sad the morning after drinking alcohol might be more common than you think. There is a link between alcohol use and depression that causes a person to feel more down than usual.
While not everyone who drinks alcohol will develop depression, it’s still a harmful substance that can alter brain chemistry and increase the risk of depressive symptoms. Let’s take a look at how alcohol addiction and depression are related in this article.
Does Alcohol Cause Depression?
Alcohol itself is not the main cause of depression. A single session of heavy drinking is unlikely to cause someone to require mental health treatment. However, someone who constantly drinks above the recommended levels is likely to experience the symptoms of depression. Over time, this can cause the drinker to struggle with major depression.
Alcohol is a depressant. The term “depressant” doesn’t mean it causes sadness. Rather, it means that alcohol slows down the central nervous system and results in a slowed reaction time, impaired coordination, and reduced inhibitions.
These effects are some of the other reasons why someone may feel more depressed after alcohol consumption. For instance, when a person drinks too much, they may engage in risky behaviors that have negative consequences. These negative consequences may lead to feelings of guilt and shame, which all contribute to the possibility of depression.
The Link Between Alcohol Use Disorder and Depression
Research shows that alcohol use disorder and depression are two conditions that usually co-occur. Nearly 33% of those struggling with depression also have problems with alcohol. Both conditions also share some common risk factors, which is why it’s important to recognize when someone struggles with any of the disorders.
When these two conditions happen simultaneously, clients should receive dual diagnosis treatment. In most cases, the symptoms of one condition can mask the other. With dual diagnosis, patients can ensure they receive the right treatment for each disorder.
Why Do I Feel Depressed After Drinking?
People may feel more depressed because alcohol suppresses the central nervous system. People who drink alcohol will have their central nervous systems “slow down.” Although many people feel more lively and energetic when they drink, these feelings will wear off after a while, and the feelings of lethargy can look similar to depressive symptoms.
There are also indirect consequences of alcohol consumption that may lead a person to feel more depressed. As mentioned earlier, risky behavior can result in feelings that significantly impact a person’s mood. This can make it difficult for someone to focus on daily activities and maintain healthy relationships.
Does Alcohol Make Depression Worse?
A person with depression may notice that their symptoms worsen after drinking too much alcohol. The substance has profound effects on brain chemistry, so chances are, anyone who already faces depression will experience intensified symptoms.
When a person with depression drinks alcohol, the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain becomes more disrupted. Alcohol interferes with neurotransmitters responsible for reward and joy, such as serotonin, dopamine, and GABA. A further imbalance in these neurotransmitters can make it more difficult to regulate one’s mood.
In addition, drinking a lot can cause disrupted sleep patterns. It may seem that alcohol helps people fall asleep faster, but it changes REM cycles that are necessary for regulating mood. Without proper sleep, a person may feel more fatigued and unmotivated, which can eventually lead to a more depressive mood.
Other Effects of Alcohol on Overall Health
Aside from alcohol contributing to a person’s depressive tendencies, it can also take a toll on a person’s overall health. Here are some other effects of alcohol that may worsen a person’s overall health condition:
- Liver Damage: Those who often binge drink may experience liver damage over time. They may face liver conditions such as fatty liver and alcoholic hepatitis.
- Heart Problems: Alcohol can increase blood pressure and weaken the heart muscle. Over time, this can result in health problems like heart failure and stroke.
- Digestive Issues: Repeated alcohol abuse can eventually weaken the digestive system. This means experiencing issues like pancreatitis and gastritis.
- Cognitive Decline: Those with AUD are also at risk of experiencing different cognitive impairments. As AUD goes untreated, it can cause problems with memory, decision-making, and attention.
- Weakened Immune System: The immune system fights off infections and keeps the body healthy. People who often abuse alcohol may have a weakened immune system, which means they are more likely to contract infections and experience slower recovery times from illnesses.
What Are the Symptoms of Alcohol Addiction?
A person struggling with alcoholism may exhibit some of the following symptoms:
- They are unable to control their drinking, even if they tell everyone that they won’t drink much.
- Becoming secretive or isolating themselves from friends or family to continue drinking.
- Financial problems, such as debt or bankruptcy, because of their drinking.
- Constantly causing arguments or going into communication issues with loved ones because of continuous drinking.
- An increased tolerance to alcohol, which means needing to consume more alcohol to achieve the same effects.
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when they try to reduce or quit drinking.
What Are the Symptoms of Depression?
People with depression may experience different symptoms. These symptoms will also look different for everyone; there are times when a person’s symptoms may not be as severe or persistent as others.
Some of the symptoms of depression include:
- Persistent sadness or hopelessness that doesn’t go away no matter what.
- A sudden loss of interest in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyable.
- Constant feeling of tiredness or a lack of energy.
- Sleep disturbances, whether it’s trouble falling asleep or oversleeping.
- Isolating from friends and families because of the constant feeling of misery.
- Difficulty concentrating on tasks and remembering things.
- Self-harm and suicidal thoughts (this happens in severe cases).
How Is Depression Diagnosed?
Depression is diagnosed with a thorough evaluation by a healthcare professional, whether it’s a psychiatrist or psychologist. This comprehensive evaluation can help rule out other conditions and provide an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.
A diagnosis usually starts with a clinical interview. During the interview, clients will be asked several questions about their mood, sleep patterns, and energy levels. Questions about whether the client experiences thoughts of self-harm or suicide will also be asked.
The diagnosis will also be based on the criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). When someone is diagnosed with depression, the symptoms must persist for at least two weeks and include at least five of the criteria outlined in the manual.
Further physical assessments may also be conducted to look at a client’s overall health. These physical exams are also used to rule out any underlying conditions that may contribute to the symptoms of depression. Since depression symptoms can overlap with other mental health disorders, a review of the client’s overall health is essential to provide an accurate diagnosis.
Other Risk Factors for Depression
Alcohol abuse isn’t the only risk factor for depression. Many other factors increase the likelihood of someone experiencing depression. For example, someone with a family history of depression is more likely to struggle with the condition as well. Studies show that around 30-40% of all types of depression are genetic, so there is a chance that someone whose parents struggle with depression also faces the same disorder.
A stressful life event, such as experiencing a natural disaster or the sudden death of a loved one, may also cause depression. These major life changes can trigger depression, especially when someone doesn’t have the proper support. People with unhealthy living conditions may constantly feel helpless and slowly develop depression as a result.
In some cases, hormonal changes also contribute to the likelihood of developing depression. For instance, women who have just given birth may experience hormonal shifts during pregnancy. So after they give birth, they start to experience depression symptoms. This is a condition called postpartum depression.
When to Get Help for Depression and Alcohol Misuse
Since major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder often co-occur, it’s important to recognize when it’s time to get help. These conditions can slowly impact your daily life and overall well-being, and getting the proper help prevents severe complications.
It’s time to get help for depression and alcohol if you start to experience prolonged feelings of sadness and hopelessness. If you feel like the sadness stays and is beginning to affect your ability to maintain relationships or take care of responsibilities, then it’s time to seek help.
Alcohol dependence is also a sign that you need help. Once you think that you’re exhibiting the symptoms of alcohol use disorder, immediate help is important. Many people who experience depression use alcohol as a way to self-medicate. This is an indication that someone has an unhealthy relationship with alcohol and requires professional help.
Alcohol Withdrawal and Its Impact on Depression
Alcohol withdrawal is very common among those who are trying to quit or reduce alcohol consumption. When a person with AUD suddenly stops drinking, they will experience different withdrawal symptoms that affect their overall mood and function.
One of the main symptoms that people struggle to face during alcohol withdrawal is depression. Since alcohol messes with the brain’s neurotransmitters, the sudden absence of the substance can result in a constant feeling of sadness. This becomes difficult to deal with when trying to quit alcohol, as people may want to drink again just to make the sadness go away.
In addition to depression, alcohol withdrawal can also cause other symptoms, such as tremors, sweating, nausea, and seizures. These withdrawal symptoms can be life-threatening, so medical detox is necessary. The presence of medical professionals during detox can help manage any complications that arise when someone is going through alcohol withdrawal.
How to Avoid Post-Alcohol Depression
There are several ways to avoid experiencing depressive emotions after drinking. Here are some strategies to follow:
Drink Responsibly
One or two drinks every once in a while is fine, but constantly drinking above the recommended limit is dangerous. It’s important to practice drinking responsibly so that your body can safely process alcohol. Remember to space out your drinks with water or non-alcoholic beverages to prevent drinking too much too quickly.
Eat Before and While Drinking
It’s good practice to never drink on an empty stomach since this causes alcohol to enter your bloodstream faster. While drinking, have some snacks like nuts or cheese. This helps with slowing down the absorption of alcohol and preventing rapid increases in blood alcohol content.
Do Not Mix Alcohol With Other Substances
Many people may mix alcohol with other substances to enhance its effects. This is not a good idea because it can worsen alcohol’s depressive effects. Once other substances mask alcohol’s sedative effects, it can be difficult to gauge when enough is enough. The compounded effects of different substances will also result in making you feel more emotional after drinking.
Consider Professional Help
If you think that you have a serious problem with your alcohol use, it’s best to seek professional help. The same goes if your depression is getting in the way of everyday life.
Professional help is the best way to reduce drinking and manage the symptoms of depression safely. Many recovery facilities offer rehab and comprehensive care so that you can get the proper help you need.
Treatment for Depression and Alcohol Abuse
Many treatment options are available for those who face depression and alcohol abuse.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Dual diagnosis treatment is a program that treats both depression and alcohol use disorder for those who experience both conditions at the same time. These two conditions can worsen each other, making knowing the underlying causes of effective treatment very important. Clients will receive a personalized treatment plan that combines different treatment approaches during this type of treatment.
Medical Detox
Medical detox is very important for someone going through alcohol withdrawal. The process of eliminating alcohol from the system can cause unpleasant and life-threatening symptoms. A medical professional during detox can alleviate and manage withdrawal symptoms, including depression. They will have the knowledge and authority to prescribe medications when needed as well.
Therapy
Evidence-based therapy is one of the most common aspects of effective mental health treatment. Many recovery facilities incorporate different kinds of therapies to address the underlying issues that may contribute to depression or alcohol use disorder.
For example, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a common evidence-based talk therapy used in both depression and alcohol use disorder treatment. The alcohol addiction therapy helps clients identify any harmful behaviors or thought patterns that contribute to their condition so that they can build healthy coping mechanisms.
Medications
For depression, antidepressants will help regulate neurotransmitter imbalance. The common types include Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs). On the other hand, people with alcohol use disorder may be prescribed medications like naltrexone, disulfiram, and acamprosate.
For those who struggle with co-occurring depression and AUD, healthcare professionals may prescribe a combination of medications for recovery. These medications should always be taken under a medical professional’s supervision to monitor their effectiveness and adjust dosages as needed.
Aftercare
After treatment for mental health and substance use disorder, aftercare is essential. These are two conditions that have high rates of relapse, and without proper aftercare, patients will struggle to face any challenges they encounter in their daily lives. Clients may be referred to support groups and continued therapy to maintain their progress from the treatment.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Treatment at Luxe Recovery
Both substance abuse and depression are serious conditions that require care filled with empathy and understanding. It’s easy to brush off these disorders when you don’t understand their complexities.
Here at Luxe Recovery, we have a team of professionals who are more than happy to help you understand your condition so that you can successfully navigate your recovery journey. Our team provides personalized support and guidance through our residential alcohol treatment in Los Angeles so that you can live a more fulfilling life.
