Alcohol and Depression: Breaking the Cycle

When it comes to diagnosing an alcohol use disorder and a major depressive disorder, it’s important to address them simultaneously, as they can significantly impact your recovery. Yet, more and more, the science is pointing to the health risks of drinking alcohol. Surgeon General issued an urgent health advisory, ranking alcohol as the third leading cause of cancer, right after tobacco and obesity. Surgeon General at that time sparked a pivotal change in how we perceive health and social norms when he boldly stated that tobacco is linked to cancer.

Treatment for Depression and Alcohol Abuse

Unfortunately, while alcohol may initially increase serotonin and dopamine, the brain adapts to the overload. From then on, the brain demands higher and higher levels to deliver the desired effect. The result is a cycle of increasingly heavier drinking as you seek to overcome worsening depression. “Today, the conversation is shifting, thanks to mounting evidence showing alcohol’s direct link to cancer, liver disease and even mental health problems. While alcohol may have a deep cultural legacy, it doesn’t get a free pass when it comes to our health,” Andrew asserts. Heavy alcohol use impairs brain functions, such as memory and reasoning.

Alcohol and Depression FAQs

Antidepressants can help even levels of these chemicals and can help relieve symptoms of depression. However, the flip side is that people who frequently use alcohol are more likely to also be depressed. Drinking a lot may worsen these feelings, which may actually drive further drinking. We found that eating one medium orange a day may lower the risk of developing depression by about 20 percent. When we look at people’s total fruit or vegetable consumption, or at other individual fruits such as apples or bananas, we don’t see any relationship between intake and risk of depression. Removing alcohol from the equation often equals removing a coping mechanism.

These neurotransmitters regulate how food passes through the digestive tract, but they can also travel to the brain, where they elevate mood. Either way, strong mental health support makes a big difference in overcoming depression and alcohol. No matter which came first, an increasing number of health professionals believe it’s best to treat alcohol use and depression at the same time. An integrated model of treatment—which includes both pharmacological and psychological therapy—is often seen as the most effective way to do this.

Atul Gawande named featured speaker for Harvard Alumni Day

If you’re also struggling with depression, having experienced peers or a trusted professional to talk to can make a big difference. A therapist or recovery coach can help you learn new ways of managing cravings and difficult emotions, while joining a group can make you feel less isolated. If you or someone you know are struggling with depression symptoms, help is available. The supportive team at BestMind are here to guide you on your journey to well-being. Contact us to discuss depression treatment options and one of our helpful staff members will get in touch.

By following safe drinking guidelines, you can help reduce your risk for depression as well as other hangover symptoms. Taking some time for productive relaxation can also help ease feelings of depression. When you regularly turn to alcohol to manage challenges and negative feelings, you may not take other actions that could help you address those problems effectively. You might feel depressed after drinking because alcohol itself is a depressant. It’s not uncommon to use alcohol to cope with difficult feelings and experiences.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

If you’ve been suffering from depression, and have been attempting to drink your blues away, you’re certainly not alone. Research shows that most people who abuse alcohol and enter treatment have high scores on depression rating scales. According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), depression affects approximately one in 15 people. Symptoms can affect Halfway house every aspect of a person’s life, and can range from mild to severe. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), over 14 million adults in the U.S. (5.8 percent of this population) suffer from alcohol use disorder (AUD). It appears that depression and alcohol have a complicated relationship, and may actually reinforce each other.

• Her work has also appeared in the Toronto Star, Vancouver Province, and the National Post.
• In the future, eating citrus could perhaps be part of a strategy for managing depression that also involves these more traditional pharmaceuticals.
• “Whenever we prescribe antidepressants, we really advise against combining them with alcohol and other drugs like cannabis — regardless of the type of antidepressant,” Anand says.
• Moreover, consistent dehydration can cause lasting damage to these sensitive areas.
• They have lots of experience with people going through something similar and will be able to check your physical health and connect you with support services.

It probably won’t hurt to have a glass of wine or beer once in a while for social reasons unless you have a health condition that prevents you from drinking. Regular drinking can lead to depression, and depressed people are also more likely to drink too much. Alcohol can significantly impact the levels of neurotransmitters in your brain, making depression worse.

Symptoms of Depression

• When you regularly turn to alcohol to manage challenges and negative feelings, you may not take other actions that could help you address those problems effectively.
• If you don’t drink regularly, your system should return to normal after this.

If your loved one is struggling with both depression and alcohol, it can feel overwhelming. To overcome these patterns, a person must be ready to change of their own accord. But if you think they will be receptive, approach the problem with empathy and nonjudgement, and be prepared to offer solutions. If they are ready, help them research their options, and discuss the best ways for you to be supportive.

Another way that depression could lead someone to drink alcohol is through changes in their brain as a result of depression. These changes can heighten the physiological “rewards” of alcohol and increase the likelihood that they will continue their pattern of drinking. You may not realize how much alcohol you’re actually drinking in a week. A good first step is to keep a record of how much alcohol you drink and of when you don’t drink throughout the week. Whether you’re experiencing depression or not, it’s essential to evaluate your drinking habits and consider why you drink, when you drink, and how you feel when you drink. Responsible drinking doesn’t just refer to staying off the road.