Alcohol and Mood Swings

Social drinking is commonplace in our culture, and alcohol is often associated with relaxation and enjoyment. However, the effects of alcohol on mood are complicated. Many individuals may experience relaxation or euphoria at first, but alcohol addiction disorder can create sweeping mood swings and fluctuations. Understanding alcohol’s effects on mood swings is important when considering one’s drinking habits.

The Biological Processes Associated with Alcohol and Mood

Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that alters neurotransmitter systems in the brain. Examples of neurotransmitters are gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and serotonin, and they are essential for emotional and mood regulation. When alcohol interrupts the balance of these chemicals, emotions are altered and changed in sometimes unpredictable ways.

The initial high

In moderate doses, alcohol can create a sense of euphoria and relaxation. Alcohol creates a sense of euphoria because it enhances dopamine activity, which is a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. Thus, for many people, drinking can create an immediate and positive change in their mood, making them feel better about themselves, and enabling them to relax and enjoy socially. Alcohol is frequently called a social lubricant because of this ability to enhance mood and lower socially inhibiting feelings. Drinking can create the sense of confidence and inclusion that is appealing in social settings, especially while someone feels worried or self-conscious.

The Downside; Mood Swings/Depression

However, this euphoria is often short-lived. Once blood alcohol levels rise and begin falling, individuals may suffer significant mood swings. New feelings of irritability and anxiety can emerge, particularly as the drink wears off. These mood swings are sometimes called a hangover effect because they cause our brain to try and restore a feeling of balance that has been upset. The depressant effects of alcohol period are not always restorative to our brain’s chemistry. Frequent alcohol use can create permanent changes to mood and/or potentially compromise existing brain-based mood disorders. Addictive patterns develop because individuals drink alcohol to ‘escape’ negative feelings, only to suffer worse negative feelings afterwards.

The intricate relationship between alcohol and mood is clearly established in the research literature, and varies between people, just as all other complex situations involving mood and behavior vary. Individual factors (genetic vulnerability, previous mental health state), situational contexts (social or solitary), and the amount of alcohol consumed all predict the mood effects of the alcohol. For example, various people may have varying reactivity to the depressant effects of alcohol, and may experience additional anxiety and depression after consuming what might be considered small amounts. Also, individuals may experience different emotional outcomes based on their particular drinking context. Drinking alcohol positively may be influenced by drinking alcohol in a supportive, fun, and enjoyable group or social setting, while consuming alcohol, maybe even in a similar amount, while isolated or stressed may worsen or exacerbate feelings of loneliness and despondence.

Factors Influencing the Mood Effects of Alcohol

The mood effects of alcohol consumption can be influenced by multiple factors, including the individual, the context of drinking, and the amount consumed. Understanding these factors can help a person avoid some pitfalls in their relationship with alcohol.

Individual Differences

The emotional effects of alcohol can vary considerably between individuals due to factors such as genetics, personal experiences with mood disorders, and varying tolerance levels. Someone with a family history of mood disorders or a current mood disorder might be more likely to experience emotional instability after drinking compared to someone with a lower risk. Moreover, individuals who have a higher tolerance level, either through body size or experience with alcohol, may not experience as much emotional upheaval as someone who is more sensitive to the effects of alcohol. In addition, personality features that indicate a tendency toward emotional instability, such as higher levels of neuroticism, will affect the tendency of alcohol to provoke mood swings in a heavier drinker. Someone who tends to be anxious and emotionally reactive may only enhance their feelings of sadness, anxiety, or anger when drinking, which would exacerbate mood swings.

Context of Use

The context for drinking (where and with whom) will also affect how we experience mood while drinking. Drinking with friends in a social and supportive context, generally tends to be a positive emotional experience. Whereas, drinking alone or in high-stress context or bad relational situations can usually promote negative emotional experiences. Relationship dynamics, social norms, social pressure can impact drinking experiences as well. Alcohol consumption with friends for a celebration usually brings joy and connection. Whereas, consuming alcohol when experiencing loneliness, or when having conflict with someone else, may result in anger or sadness.

In addition, cultural perceptions about drinking can shape one’s experiences; some cultures identify alcohol with bonding, while others label drinking as socially undesirable which can be part of how individuals feel about their drinking habits.

Quantity and Frequency

The quantity of drinking and frequency of drinking representations are important problems. Consuming an excessive quantity of alcohol or heavy drinking would be more likely to create more dramatic swings producing longer lasting mood disturbance. Gradual, responsible periods of drinking would, in theory, produce fewer negative consequences, and even potentially improve mood or stabilize mood. There is also the frequency with which one drinks; as more regular drinking will create an emotional dependency for persons over time. Drinking will then create a response pattern whereby the person relies on alcohol to manage their mood, thus producing increased dependence patterns. It would be helpful to understand these patterns for anyone seeking to change their relationship to alcohol.

Alcohol and Mental Health

The interplay between alcohol use and mental health is complex. While some people may consume alcohol to cope with stress and anxiety, this can quickly devolve into a pattern of alcohol use disorder, which could further amplify mental health symptoms.

Alcohol as a Coping Strategy

Alcohol consumption is a common option for people who experience stress, anxiety, or feelings of depression. Although alcohol may temporarily relieve these feelings, chronic alcohol consumption can amplify perceived sadness and anxiety. People may feel like they drink to cope with the issues in their lives, when, in fact, they are drinking away their feelings and will feel worse as the effects of alcohol begin to dissipate.

Long Term Effect on Mental Health

Longitudinal research on chronic alcohol use also suggest that chronic and excessive drinking is believed to result in biological changes within the brain that can lead to persistent persistent mood disorders. Most importantly, research shows people with alcohol use disorders are at significantly higher risk for developing depressive and anxiety disorders. This indicates how critical intervening for both alcohol and mental health.

Awareness of Mood Fluctuations

For those who have mood swings related to alcohol consumption, being aware of and recognizing these behaviours and and then putting management strategies in place is important. Being aware of drinking patterns and moods can help make healthier choices.

Self-awareness and reflection

Utilizing a journal or tracking drinking behaviors can assist individuals to understand patterns of mood and alcohol consumption. Noting how individuals feel before, during, and after drinking can provide insight into alcohol and mood associations. The insights provided by an individual’s self-awareness will allow for potential future decision-making opportunities with their drinking.

Professional support

If mood swings become severe, a qualified health professional can be useful. Mental health care providers can provide insight and support, allowing for opportunities to practice utilizing other coping strategies and/or explore underlying issues associated with alcohol use.

Conclusions

Understanding the associations of alcohol and mood swings is essential for anyone who drinks alcohol. While alcohol can evoke temporary feelings of happiness, it can be powerful in the creation of further psychological instability and longer-term effects on emotional outcomes. By recognizing how emotions, situations, and context can impact their mood, individuals can also positively impact their associations with alcohol by using additional strategies to promote personal self-awareness and management.

Ultimately, a conscious and informed decision to drink alcohol has the opportunity to lead to better emotional health and stability. Whether an individual chooses moderate drinking, consults support options, or explores underlying mental health issues, even small actions to take the opportunity to promote personal change can have a positive impact in their lives.