Depression Learning

Alcohol Depression

When discussing alcohol depression most will question which may have begun first – the alcohol dependence or the depression? Does drinking alcohol cause the depression or the depression cause the drinking? There are many who drink quite often; it is not so much they enjoy drinking, but they use it to self-medicate. Alcohol becomes the way in which they deal with stress and anxiety. It does relieve stress, both relaxing the drinker and briefly easing any anxiety he may be experiencing. Yet, here is the catch—alcohol eventually loses its effectiveness as a relaxant and stress reliever. Subsequently, to achieve the same effect, the drinker will not only continue drinking, but also drink more.

Alcohol loses its tranquilizing effect because it reduces the levels of the chemicals norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin in the brain. These chemicals create a sense of well-being and normalcy in humans. Medical science has formulated depression drugs (antidepressants) to boost these chemical levels in order to reduce depression symptoms. When someone drinks alcohol, it cancels out the effectiveness of these brain chemicals. If the individual is taking antidepressants, alcohol should not be his beverage of choice.

In response to anxiety and stress, the body releases cortisol, called a stress hormone. This hormone will increase blood pressure and blood sugar, decreasing the body’s immune responses. Alcohol affects these levels by increasing the level of cortisol. Furthermore, cortisol remains in the drinker’s body after the body no longer needs it. This extra cortisol continues to pump through the body, increasing the heart rate and accumulating extra tension.

Eventually, the alcohol will begin to act as a depressant, simply because it is a depressant. It depresses the nervous system and the brain. Furthermore, drinking alcohol and using drugs may cause major mental health issues such as seizures, manic-depressive episodes, and ultimately, alcohol depression.

When alcohol is involved, the likelihood of committing suicide becomes about two times greater. All ages are vulnerable to depression suicide. Older people make up to twenty percent of suicides. Children and teenagers with alcoholic parents are four times more likely to attempt suicide since they usually start abusing alcohol, as well. Women attempt suicide more often than men, yet men are more successful at committing suicide.

Furthermore, alcohol affects people and their mental alertness, sound judgment, and self-control. Alcohol impairment causes about one-third of accidents in the home, two-fifths of fatal home fires, and one-third of work accidents. Even more appalling, alcohol-impaired drivers have caused an inordinate number of tragic deaths and injuries from car accidents.

Treatment should begin with the alcoholism first. The individual struggling with alcohol depression must decide to give up drinking completely. Support is available through such organizations as AA (Alcoholics Anonymous), through talk therapy with a therapist, and through depression medication which both doctor and patient agree upon as a safe treatment.

Family support is another resource which is effective in helping the alcohol depressed individual. There are organizations that will also help the family cope with the problem drinker, such as Al-Anon (for adults) and Alateen (for ages 12 to 20). As the person abstains from drinking alcohol and learns new strategies in coping with anxiety and stress, he and his family will live much healthier physically and mentally.

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