Alcohol & Health
Treatment
Helping Alcoholics
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Medically Reviewed by Annamarie Coy, BA, ICPR, MATS
The co-occurrence of alcohol and mental health disorders is very prevalent in the U.S.
One in four adults with a mental health disorder also suffers from alcohol use disorder (AUD). Both conditions have similar underlying causes such as genetic predisposition, exposure to stress or trauma, and changes in brain chemistry.
Unfortunately, many people with underlying mental health conditions turn to substance use, such as drinking alcohol. They do so to self-medicate and avoid the negative feelings associated with their mental illnesses.
Turning to alcohol rather than coping with these mental health problems can actually worsen your mental state and overall well-being. And, heavy drinking can result in serious consequences over time, such as suicidal thoughts, ideations, or attempts.
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) and mental health disorders can co-occur in a few different ways.
For example, those with existing mental health disorders may turn to alcohol to self-medicate. When symptoms escalate, alcohol provides a quick mood boost and relieves symptoms temporarily. But once the effects wear off, the symptoms worsen. This creates a vicious cycle of drinking and mood changes.
People with substance use problems are also predisposed to mental health disorders. This is because alcohol is a depressant, so it can trigger symptoms in those predisposed to depression.
Drinking alcohol increases confidence and decreases inhibition. Alcohol also affects everyone differently. Some people notice an increase in mood, while others may feel depressed.
Excessive alcohol consumption also disrupts the sleep cycle, so the body has to work harder to break it down. Poor sleep every night results in less energy. This leads to constant mood changes, poor concentration, and other health problems like decreased immunity.
Those who drink heavily also experience "numb" emotions, which means they feel apathetic and uninterested when not drinking.
Alcohol use disorder (AUD), formerly known as alcoholism, is an unhealthy form of alcohol use that includes drinking excessively on a regular basis. This includes binge drinking.
Symptoms of AUD include:
In the U.S., there is a high co-occurrence of alcohol abuse and mental health disorders. For reference, a co-occurring disorder is when an individual receives a dual diagnosis for both a substance use disorder (SUD) and mental health disorder.
Certain mental health disorders are highly prevalent in people who have alcohol dependence. These disorders included mood disorders, such as:
Mood disorders are the most common mental health disorders among people with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Alcohol consumption is often used as a way for people to self-medicate and temporarily reduce their symptoms. Unfortunately, this relief is short-lived, leaving many to suffer from increased symptoms after drinking.
Depression affects over 16 million adults in the U.S. This condition negatively affects how a person feels, thinks, and handles daily activities.
While everyone experiences ups and downs in life, people with depression experience these down periods for more than two weeks at a time. These episodes make them highly susceptible to substance abuse to improve mood and self-medicate.
Symptoms of depression include:
Bipolar disorder is a condition that causes mood swings ranging from manic highs to depressive lows. These mood swings can affect everything from sleep and energy levels to one’s ability to think clearly.
The co-occurrence of bipolar disorder and alcohol is very common. Symptoms of bipolar disorder depend on whether it's manic or depressive.
Mania or hypomania symptoms:
Depressive symptoms:
Anxiety is a normal part of life. However, those with anxiety disorders experience frequent, intense episodes of fear about everyday situations. These fears can affect everyday activities and make life very difficult.
There are many different anxiety disorders. This includes generalized anxiety, social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and panic disorder.
Symptoms of anxiety disorders include:
Schizophrenia is a serious mental health disorder that affects how a person interprets reality. It includes hallucinations, delusions, and impaired thinking that can be disabling. It is one of the top 15 causes of disability worldwide.
While substance abuse is common in people with schizophrenia, alcohol use greatly increases the risk of schizophrenia in those predisposed to the condition.
Symptoms of schizophrenia include:
Treatment for co-occurring conditions presents unique challenges. Treating only one condition may worsen the other and can increase the occurrence of relapse.
Those who suffer from mental health disorders and substance abuse require specialized treatment. Treatment should also take place in a facility experienced in treating co-occurring conditions.
A treatment program typically begins with detox. This is because symptoms of addiction often mimic those of mental health conditions. By detoxing first, medical providers can evaluate what symptoms are actually alcohol-related.
Once detox is complete, treatment will focus on the mental health condition. This may include medications, counseling, support groups, and other therapy options.
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