Alcohol & Health
Treatment
Helping Alcoholics
Medically Reviewed by Dr P. E. Pancoast, MD
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Alcohol can elicit different behaviors in people. Sometimes, drinking alcohol can cause people to become an “angry drunk”.
Alcohol is linked to anger and aggression more than any other psychotropic substance.7 While not all drinkers become angry, someone who is predisposed to anger can become more aggressive when they drink alcohol.
The cause of alcohol-related anger varies from person to person. Alcohol triggers anger in some people. In others, anger is present before drinking and drinking brings out that anger.
It’s also important to recognize the role your environment plays in anger. Some of the most common environmental issues that trigger anger include:
Anger issues tend to be more common for people who came from families in which anger was a problem. Many health experts agree that a genetic component influences how the brain reacts to serotonin, which affects how people deal with anger.8
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Anger is a normal part of the human experience. However, it can be harmful and destructive if you cannot control your anger.
Alcohol makes it more difficult to control anger and other emotions. That's because it reduces an individual's self-control and internal inhibition.
The inability to control or suppress your emotions can lead to inappropriate or dangerous situations. Heightened responses due to alcohol consumption can make anger intensified.
Control of emotions isn’t the only link between alcohol and anger. For some people, anger is a coping mechanism. They feel anger to avoid other more challenging emotions and behaviors.
Instead of being a natural emotion, someone with an alcohol use disorder (AUD) will express anger to avoid dealing with unpleasant or adverse circumstances, including the addiction.
Anger and alcoholism work together in a cycle. Drinking helps someone escape their negative emotion of anger, and feeling angry lets them avoid the fact that drinking has become a problem. The two feed off one another and can be dangerous to their health and well-being.
Studies show that excessive drinking can negatively impact the prefrontal cortex, which helps with impulse control.9
Lack of impulse control can make someone fly into a fit of rage or become aggressive rapidly.
Alcohol severely decreases cognitive function, which makes it harder to problem-solve, make safe decisions, and control aggression.
Less cognitive function also means that you may misunderstand something and, in turn, overreact.
When someone has both a mental health and substance use disorder, they are considered co-occurring disorders. In these cases, the person has a dual diagnosis.
If anger is a symptom of someone's mental health disorder, alcohol can intensify the anger to dangerous levels.
The following behavioral disorders should be treated with anger management and also have a high rate of co-occurrence with alcoholism:
People with co-occurring disorders should receive specialized treatment. The treatment should target both the person’s mental health and substance use disorder as two parts of a whole. Read more about co-occurring disorders and alcoholism.
Domestic violence is a very dangerous potential result of alcohol abuse. A 2017 study showed that men under the influence of alcohol had higher rates of physical and sexual aggression.
This occurs in long-term relationships such as marriage, as well as all dating scenarios. If your partner shows intense feelings of anger and a lack of self-control when drinking, reach out for help. It could escalate to physical violence.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline provides confidential assistance from trained advocates. Call 1-800-799-7233 if you or someone you know could be in danger of abuse.
Separately, anger and alcohol abuse both create risk. Combined, the risk is even greater. For example, alcohol-related anger:
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Anyone can feel anger when they are drunk or sober. However, some people are more likely than others to be angry when drinking alcohol.
Ultimately, nobody knows what comes first—anger or alcohol use disorder (AUD). The answer varies from person to person. However, some studies have been done to better understand who is more at risk.
Studies show that people who abuse alcohol are more likely to be abusive to their family members, including children.10 Children who grow up around domestic violence are more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol as teens and adults. This creates a cycle of alcohol use and violence.
There is also a theory that the disinhibition that alcohol creates raises the risk of violent behavior. Heavy drinkers are more likely to engage in risky behavior, which includes being violent and acting out hostile emotions, often against a loved one.
Additionally, there is evidence that chemical and biological factors play a role. People with higher levels of testosterone are more likely to be aggressive. That likelihood increases when they consume alcohol.
Another study found that people who focus on the present moment tend to be angrier alcoholics.1 They don’t consider the consequences of their actions, so they’ll act on their anger without regard to what will happen in the future.
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People who are the closest to the alcoholic who struggled with anger often get the most abuse. You may find yourself walking on eggshells to avoid an alcohol-induced anger outburst.
If you are close to someone who experiences alcohol-induced anger, it’s important to get help and support.
Groups like Al-Anon or Al-Teen are available to help support people who have been affected by a loved one’s alcoholism. These groups are free to join and offer group therapy.
The most effective way to cope with alcohol-induced anger is to avoid consuming too much alcohol. Some people need to avoid drinking alcohol entirely.
Self-awareness is important for everyone’s mental health, but it is especially necessary for people with AUD and anger issues. Understanding your emotions and making smart decisions about alcohol consumption is the best way to avoid problems.
There are several treatment program options available for people struggling with anger issues and addiction. For example:
Anger management therapy is one of the best options available for helping you understand your emotions and find effective ways to cope with them.
Working with a therapist trained in dealing with anger problems helps you gain important anger management skills such as:
There are many treatment options available for alcohol use disorder (AUD) and addiction, including:
Inpatient treatment takes place at a licensed residential treatment center.
These programs provide 24/7 comprehensive, structured care. You'll live in safe, substance-free housing and have access to professional medical monitoring.
The first step of an inpatient program is detoxification. Then behavioral therapy and other services are introduced. These programs typically last 30, 60, or 90 days, sometimes longer.
Most programs help set up your aftercare once you complete the inpatient portion of your treatment.
Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) provide similar services to inpatient programs. Services include:
However, in a PHP program, you return home to sleep. Some services provide food and transportation, but services vary by program.
PHPs accept new patients, and people who have completed an inpatient program and require additional intensive treatment.
Outpatient treatment is less intensive than inpatient treatment or partial hospitalization programs. They are best for people who have a high motivation to recover, but cannot leave their responsibilities at home, work, or school.
These programs organize your treatment session based on your schedule. The goal of outpatient treatment is to provide therapy, education, and support in a flexible environment.
Outpatient programs are often part of aftercare programs once you complete an inpatient or PHP program. It is important for people undergoing treatment to have a stable and supportive home environment without access to drugs and alcohol.
Sometimes medications may be used in alcohol addiction treatment. These medicines can help reduce the negative side effects of detoxification and withdrawal. Others can help you reduce cravings and normalize body functions.
Disulfiram (Antabuse), acamprosate (Campral), and naltrexone are the most common medications used to treat AUD.
When combined with other evidence-based therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), MAT can help prevent relapse and increase your chance of recovery.
Support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Self-Management And Recovery Training (SMART) are open to anyone with a substance use disorder.
They are peer-led organizations dedicated to helping each other remain sober. Support groups can be the first step towards recovery or part of a long-term aftercare plan.
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