When one thinks about the effects of excessive alcohol use and alcohol use disorder (AUD), many people solely think about the physical toll that can be taken. While this is, of course, very apt, it also overshadows the serious negative effects of alcohol on emotional stability, which can be just as dangerous.
The Prevalence of Addiction in the U.S.
Alcohol use disorder is one of the most prevalent addictions in the U.S., and around the world, today. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) and the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), “28.9 million people ages 12 and older (10.2% in this age group) had AUD in the past year. This includes 16.8 million males ages 12 and older (12.1% in this age group),” and “12.0 million females ages 12 and older (8.3% in this age group).”
Now, this staggering statistic is not meant to be discouraging (though it is alarming), rather it is meant to inspire individuals to do more to help those struggling with AUD. Also, to better help these individuals, it is important to understand that addiction is not just about the drink or the drug. It is about the underlying emotional issues that go along with them. Ultimately, these issues need to be addressed.
The Prevalence of Addiction and Co-occurring Disorders in the U.S.
Before addressing the effects of alcohol on emotional stability, it is important to understand that many people struggle with co-occurring mental health issues. Also, depending on when one is diagnosed, it is hard to tell if the emotional issues are from a preexisting mental health issue or one that manifested from addiction.
Co-occurring disorders are more common than many people may think. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “7.7 million adults have co-occurring mental and substance use disorders. Of the 20.3 million adults with substance use disorders, 37.9% also had mental illnesses. Among the 42.1 million adults with mental illness, 18.2% also had substance use disorders.” These emotional issues also manifest as some of the signs and symptoms of AUD.
The Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Use Disorder
AUD has many signs and symptoms. These can be physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. The following are just a few of the more common signs and symptoms:
- Isolating from loved ones
- Losing interest in activities once enjoyed
- Not being able to stop drinking after starting
- Obsessing over alcohol and “the next drink”
- Feeling overly anxious, nervous, or “stressed out”
- Having overwhelming feelings of depression
- Struggling with sleep cycles, including sleeping too much and not sleeping enough (insomnia)
- Changes in appetite
- Experiencing consequences at home, work, and school
- Having suicidal ideations
As one can see, these are very serious symptoms. Many of these symptoms, including the emotional ones, can even be deadly. This is why seeking professional help as soon as possible is highly recommended if any, many, or all of these symptoms arise. Doing so may be the difference between experiencing short-term side effects and long-term consequences.
The Specific Effects of Alcohol on Emotional Stability
Excessive alcohol use (like binge drinking) can cause physiological changes in the brain. These changes have a direct correlation to negative emotion creation. According to the peer-reviewed journal, Alcohol Research: Current Reviews, “Higher binge levels of alcohol use increase basal cortisol levels and blunt the peripheral stress responses; these changes also predict greater craving and behavioral motivation for alcohol use in people who binge drink or drink heavily. Additionally, changes in the amygdala responses to emotional cues and ventral striatal responses to alcohol have been reported with higher binge levels of alcohol use.”
These changes in brain chemistry and emotional stability also have direct relationships to the healthy connections that are lost due to AUD. This is also why addiction is often referred to as a “family disease,” because it causes rifts in the relationships that many people struggling with AUD once held dear.
The good news is there are many ways to combat the specific effects of alcohol on emotional stability. This includes psychotherapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) that get to the underlying emotional issues of AUD. There are also experiential therapies like art and nature-immersion therapy and holistic healing methods like yoga and meditation that can help restore emotional stability and well-being.
Our Primary Purpose at Lantana Recovery
Here at Lantana Recovery, our primary purpose is to help all who want to recover from the disease of addiction with frankness and fidelity. We do so by offering individualized and comprehensive treatment plans that also focus on the future.
Mahatma Gandhi famously said, “Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” In recovery, that healthy harmony is possible. There is hope. We can help make it happen.
The fact of the matter is that alcohol can lead to significant emotional distress. It will specifically be a major factor in anxiety, depression, and other types of mental illness. The good news is there are many effective evidence-based and holistic means, methods, and modalities that can help combat emotional distress brought upon by alcohol use disorder (AUD). If you feel like you or a loved one are struggling with issues of addiction, mental illness, or both, we can help get you on the positive path toward long-term recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this alone. For more information about the negative emotional effects of excessive alcohol use, please reach out to Lantana Recovery at (866) 997-2870.