Can Depression Draw You Towards Alcohol?

You must have heard how people often seek refuge in alcohol when they are feeling sad or low. This is quite common around us. Multiple studies, time and again, have shown that alcohol has several side effects on health. For those who are battling mental health conditions like depression or anxiety disorder, alcohol abuse can turn their symptoms worse. Many experts have earlier pointed out that alcohol abuse may even trigger depression. But is the opposite also true? Can a person, who is suffering from depression, get drawn towards alcohol? Today, we will answer this for you.

To get a better understanding of this, the editorial team of OnlyMyHealth reached out to Dr Sameer Bhargava, Psychiatrist, Fortis Escorts Faridabad. Read ahead.

What Is The Link Between Depression And Alcohol?

Several studies have established that there indeed is a strong link between alcohol and depression. Many studies have shown that alcoholic people may be prone to depression. But today, our expert answers if the opposite is also true – are people who are suffering from depression drawn towards alcohol?

“Sometimes people suffering from depressive illness or anxiety disorder use alcohol to self medicate which pushes them into chronic and compulsive use later and it deteriorates the condition further. Alcohol use disorder and co-morbid depression is very commonly seen in OPD as well and needs a different approach to treat comprehensively. Alcohol interferes with the treatment of depression as it reduces the effectiveness of antidepressants,” explains Dr Bhargava.

How Does Alcohol Affect The Brain?

Now, let us try and understand how alcohol can affect the brain. “Alcohol primarily affects the brain areas that are responsible for fine motor skills, judgement, inhibition and memory; it affects neurotransmitters such as GABA, glutamate and dopamine, which are responsible for its acute effects such as calmness, confusion and euphoria. But chronic use is dangerous to overall health. If we talk about only the brain, alcohol causes early atrophic changes in the brain which affects attention-concentration, memory and cognition,” explains Dr Bhargava.

He adds that alcohol misuse causes mental health problems too, such as anxiety disorder, depressive illness or substance-induced affective disorder.” Sometimes chronic alcohol use might cause severe neurological disorders such as Wernicke's Encephalopathy and Korsakoff Syndrome. Abrupt withdrawal from alcohol may cause withdrawal seizures or delirium tremens along with other withdrawal symptoms,” shares the expert.

Also Read: Even ‘Social Drinking’ May Increase Dementia Risk, Says Study

Why Do Some People Feel Depressed After Drinking?

Many people have shared how they feel depressed or sad after drinking. Have you wondered why alcohol brings about such changes in mood? “Alcohol has a depressant effect on the central nervous system. It occurs due to the rebound effect of few brain chemicals responsible for emotional processing and cognition that gets dis-regulated during consumption of alcohol. Sometimes psychological factors such as heightened emotions, regret or guilt associated with alcohol use or the drinker’s co-morbid depression might worsen this,” mentions Dr Bhargava.

The expert adds that alcohol itself is a depressant. “This means it slows down our brain and disrupts the balance of various brain chemicals which are related to emotional regulation, anxiety and cognition. Alcohol interferes with sleep as well which further worsens the depressive symptoms such as irritability, excessive fatigue and decreased concentration,” adds Dr Bhargava.

How To Navigate Depression And Alcohol Misuse?

If you are suffering from depression and alcoholism, then you can overcome this — all you need is some simple lifestyle changes, and in extreme cases, a professional’s help.

“To deal with withdrawal symptoms or complications associated with abrupt withdrawal, one must seek professional help for assisted detoxification under medical guidance. Thus patients with chronic use must seek medical advice. Mental health professionals always explore co-morbid mental health issues such as depressive illness or anxiety disorder. According to severity, there can be many options of treatment for compressive management of both co-morbid disorders,” shares Dr Bhargava.

The expert also shares some simple lifestyle tips to deal with it:

• Curtail substance use.
• Maintain sleep hygiene.
• Have good nutrition and avoid dehydration.
• Avoid a sedentary lifestyle.
• Avoid hunger, anger, loneliness, and tiredness (HALT).

There are many treatments that can help co-occurring depression and alcoholism. Let’s take a look at some of them:

• Detox: This can help one comfortably withdraw from alcohol.
• Antidepressants/Medications: Antidepressants may help treat both the depression and certain symptoms of AUD.
• Behavioral therapies: These can include –
• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (CBT).
• Behavioral Activation.
• Mutual support groups (such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and SMART Recovery).

Also Read: Is There A Reason For Young People To Be Unhappy? Psychiatrist Weighs In

The Final Word

People suffering from depressive illness or anxiety disorder may sometimes use alcohol to self medicate, which pushes them into chronic and compulsive use later and it deteriorates the condition further. If you are suffering from depression and alcoholism, then you can overcome this with certain lifestyle changes, and in extreme cases, a professional’s help.