To understand such connections, it’s important to know how depressants work. Research shows that depressants affect one’s central nervous system by reducing feelings of stimulation or arousal in users while also slowing down or interfering with messages between their brain and body. People take them as a sleep aid, and use them to ease muscle spasms and prevent seizures. Binge drinking is “a pattern of drinking alcohol that brings blood alcohol concentration to 0.08 percent,” according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. BAC, also known as blood alcohol content or blood alcohol, is “the amount of alcohol in your blood,” according to the Cleveland Clinic. Although alcohol has stimulant effects, the National Library of Medicine says it is a central nervous system depressant, which is a type of drug that slows down communication between the brain and the body.
Addressing emotional or mental health concerns can help people with AUD find ways to cope that do not involve alcohol. One of the most common types of stimulant drugs is amphetamines. Doctors may prescribe stimulants to individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or narcolepsy. Other stimulants include caffeine, cocaine, and methamphetamine. As your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) rises, so do the risks.
This happens faster than the liver can metabolize and eliminate alcohol. Alcohol is a depressant that affects drinking alcohol with covid-19 the central nervous system (CNS). However, initially and in small doses, alcohol is a stimulant.
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What causes depression and alcohol use disorder?
Drinking to cope with depression, no matter if you have an alcohol use disorder, is concerning. People who develop AUD continue to consume alcohol despite experiencing negative consequences. This condition can have a negative break the cycle of addiction with these strategies to keep dopamine in check effect on health, relationships, and emotional well-being. Depressants cause slower brain activity, leading to muscle relaxation and a calm mood. Naltrexone may also be used to reduce drinking without quitting cold turkey.
- Recognizing the symptoms of depression and alcohol use disorder can help ensure that you get the right diagnosis and treatment.
- For over 20 years Dr. Umhau was a senior clinical investigator at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
- Children who have major depression as a child may drink earlier in life, according to one study.
- Alcoholics anonymous (AA) and alcohol treatment centers offer classes and support group meetings.
- No matter your drink of choice, alcohol can easily be abused and often is, especially when it’s used to self-medicate.
- Plus, alcohol can make antidepressant drugs less effective, which could cause a bout of depression to slide over into thoughts of suicide.
Binge drinking is on the rise for multiple groups of the U.S. population, according to the NIAAA.
Effects of Alcohol Use
BAC does not depend on the kind of alcohol you drink, medications you take, your tolerance, your physical fitness or how well you can drink without appearing intoxicated. According to Britannica, a depressant is a drug, medicine or other agent that slows down the function of vital organs in the body. Whether you drink alcohol regularly or save it for special celebrations, it is a common element in many people’s lives. Researchers found the earliest trace of alcohol residue in pottery from 7000–6600 BC, according to the Penn Museum.
Major depression and alcohol use disorder are also co-dependent in women, research suggests. Women with depression are also more likely to engage in binge drinking. Individuals with mental health conditions may be more likely to use alcohol as a treatment. Several studies suggest that military veterans are more likely to experience depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and misuse alcohol. The use of medication to treat an alcohol use disorder and a major depressive disorder depends entirely on the individual and their circumstances.
In the short term, drinking alcohol can make you feel good, sociable, and even euphoric. There is a strong link between alcohol use and depression, a mental health condition that includes feelings of hopelessness, emptiness, fatigue, loss of interest, and more. But does regular drinking lead to depression, or are people with depression more likely to drink too much alcohol? Alcohol and depression are connected in several ways, and the two often feed off of one another.
“Alcohol makes us feel drunk and confused because alcohol makes the cells drunk and nonfunctional.” Because of this shared connection, treatment for both should include a diet to improve gut function and reduce endotoxin load that contributes to neuroinflammation. Following a Mediterranean diet rich in omega-3s, for example, might be one recommendation. Depression can also be directly caused by alcohol in the case of a substance-induced disorder.
Approximately 86% of adults in the United States have consumed alcohol at some time. In 2019, nearly 26% of American adults also engaged in binge drinking in the past month. There are different types available, including trauma-specific therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), cognitive-behavioral a parallel recovery therapy (CBT), as well as individual, family, or group therapy. Options for support groups include Alcoholics Anonymous, Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART), or Women for Sobriety (WFS), among others. Prolonged alcohol consumption is also closely linked to cancer and suicide.
Drinking too much can lead to alcohol poisoning, respiratory failure, coma, or death. If you’ve experienced an overdose, you may experience mental confusion, vomiting, unconsciousness, slow heart rate, low body temperature, bluish skin, and irregular breathing, among other symptoms. That’s why your doctor or psychologist will work with you to create a treatment approach that addresses both issues. Alcohol can significantly impact the levels of neurotransmitters in your brain, making depression worse. Antidepressants can help even levels of these chemicals and can help relieve symptoms of depression. Likewise, if you’re diagnosed with one of these conditions, your doctor may ask about symptoms of the other.
Can I mix alcohol and antidepressant meds?
People with depression frequently lose interest in activities that once brought them joy like hobbies and social events. It’s often a lifelong commitment, but one that can improve your life, health, and well-being in the long term. Potentially fatal liver problems and spikes in blood pressure are other really good reasons not to mix these drugs. Both alcohol and antidepressants can make you tired, less alert, and uncoordinated. So unless you really want to be stumbling around before you keel over into bed, mixing alcohol and antidepressants is a bad idea. They used to go by the name central nervous system (CNS) depressants, which pretty neatly describes what they do.
Alcohol’s Complications
“In our society alcohol is readily available and socially acceptable,” says Jill Bolte Taylor, PhD, author of Whole Brain Living, explains. “Depression and alcohol misuse are often tied because we take a depressant to counter a chemical depression which only makes it worse.” A person should speak with a doctor about healthy alcohol consumption. People may develop an addiction to alcohol after using it to cope with stress or traumatic life events.
Depressants affect the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which slows down your brain activity. This can lead to side effects such as relaxation, drowsiness, slurred speech, decreased inhibition, and problems with coordination. If not treated, alcohol use disorder can become a life-long struggle. Almost 30 percent of Americans will experience alcohol use disorder at some point in their lifetimes.
What Makes Alcohol a Depressant?
Alcohol overuse also increases the risk of developing other conditions, including depression. No matter how severe your alcohol misuse, recovery from this type of depressant is possible. When you speak with a mental health professional, you can determine what treatment plan works best for you and your situation. If you’re battling depression, alcohol isn’t going to make you feel better. It may temporarily suppress feelings of isolation, anxiety, or sadness, but that won’t last. Recognizing the symptoms of depression and alcohol use disorder can help ensure that you get the right diagnosis and treatment.
Naltrexone and acamprosate can both reduce heavy drinking and support abstinence. Under the guidance of a medical professional, stimulants may be helpful for certain individuals. However, misuse of stimulants can have serious health consequences, including physical dependence and stimulant addiction, also known as stimulant use disorder. Drinking can be harmful to anyone, regardless of their susceptibility to alcohol misuse or dependence. These drugs are often used to treat anxiety, minimize pain, relieve muscle spasms, sleep disorders, and address other mental health issues.
