Many randomized trials have investigated treatments for co-occurring AUD and depressive disorders. In this section, trials that used medication and psychotherapy treatments are discussed, as are the effects of those treatments on depressive symptoms and AUD symptoms. Both depression and alcohol use disorder are treatable medical conditions. Some people may feel unsure about seeing a doctor, but the right treatment can ease symptoms and help a person live a better, happier life. Another critical brain region affected by chronic alcohol use is the hippocampus, which plays a pivotal role in memory and mood regulation. Alcohol-related shrinkage of the hippocampus has been documented in numerous studies, with findings showing that heavy drinkers are at a higher risk of developing persistent sadness, memory loss, and cognitive decline.
Do depressants cause depression?
However, major depressive disorder is the most common co-occurring disorder among people who have AUD, partly because it is among the most common disorders in the general population. These chemical changes increase susceptibility to depression, making it more likely for individuals with heavy drinking habits to develop mental health issues. Studies reveal that heavy drinkers experience much more signs of depression and anxiety, highlighting the powerful connection between alcohol-induced brain changes and emotional health.
Some experts also suggest that both depression and alcohol use disorders share underlying pathophysiology in that they are both neuroinflammatory conditions. Over time, your brain’s reward pathway builds tolerance and requires more and more dopamine (via alcohol) to feel pleasure. This can lead to addiction and feelings of depression in the absence of the rewarding substance. “Some people think of the effects of alcohol as only something to be worried about if you’re living with alcohol use disorder, which was formerly called alcoholism,” Dr. Sengupta says. Your doctor will likely conduct a physical exam and a psychological evaluation.
When to see a doctor
“The good news is that earlier stages of steatotic liver disease are usually completely reversible in about four to six weeks if you abstain from drinking alcohol,” Dr. Sengupta assures. The effects of alcohol depend largely on how much and how quickly you drink, along with varying factors such as your personal history, genetics, body size, gender, tolerance, and other key factors. In addition, drinking alcohol quickly and in large amounts can lead to more severe symptoms, such as memory loss, coma, even death. A common misconception is that because alcohol is a depressant, it will help you sleep. Initially, alcohol may promote feelings of relaxation that help you feel drowsy and fall asleep faster.
How to stop drinking so much
Each of those consequences can cause turmoil that can negatively affect your long-term emotional health. Steatotic liver disease develops in about 90% of people who drink more than 1.5 to 2 ounces of alcohol per day. There are different types available, including trauma-specific therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), as well as individual, family, or group therapy. Options for support groups include Alcoholics Anonymous, Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART), or Women for Sobriety (WFS), among others.
With continued alcohol use, steatotic liver disease can lead to liver fibrosis. Eventually, you can develop permanent and irreversible scarring in your liver, which is called cirrhosis. But when you ingest too much alcohol for your liver to process in a timely manner, a buildup of toxic substances begins to take a toll on your liver. You probably already know that excessive drinking can affect you in more ways than one. While it may feel good to drink, alcohol changes the chemicals in your brain, impacting your thoughts and behaviors. Depressants affect the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which slows down your brain activity.
For example, having a family member with an alcohol use disorder is a risk factor for both depression and alcohol use disorder. Emerging research has found that there is a genetic link between AUD and depression. 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.
- When you drink too much, you’re more likely to make bad decisions or act on impulse.
- A common psychoactive drug, alcohol, alters your consciousness, thoughts, and mood.
- For example, alcohol may temporarily reduce anxiety and lower inhibitions.
- Drinking can be harmful to anyone, regardless of their susceptibility to alcohol misuse or dependence.
These side effects may help discourage people with AUD from drinking. Consuming too much alcohol too quickly can affect breathing, body temperature, and heart rate. In extreme cases, alcohol poisoning can cause brain damage or even death. Under the guidance of a medical professional, stimulants may be helpful for certain individuals. However, misuse of stimulants can have serious health consequences, including physical dependence and stimulant addiction, also known as stimulant use disorder.
Long-term alcohol use can change your brain’s wiring in much more significant ways. The morning after a night of over-imbibing can cause some temporary effects on your brain. Things like trouble concentration, slow reflexes and sensitivity to bright lights and loud sounds are standard signs of a hangover, and evidence of alcohol’s effects on your brain. Your body breaks alcohol down into a chemical called acetaldehyde, which damages your DNA. Damaged DNA can cause a cell to grow out of control, which results in cancerous tumors.
But another connection that behavioral scientists have been looking at is any association between increased instances of alcohol consumption and increased rates of depressive episodes and symptoms. The amount of alcohol a person consumes affects them more than the type of alcohol they drink. Individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) continue to consume alcohol despite experiencing negative consequences. Although AUD cases may differ in severity, what drugs was eminem addicted to people who receive effective treatment can fully recover.
