[CosmicRose]

I was out partying tonight and I'm still drunk. Anxiety becomes non existent when I drink. I'm sure others are different, it might even elevate some people's anxiety, but when I drink the anxiety is gone. I'm never going to use alcohol as a coping mechanism because my mom was an alcoholic and I know how horrible using alcohol for anything like that can be.
But why specifically, does alcohol have an effect on lessening anxiety? Is it an inhibition issue? I've often had the thought that if they can invent a pill that has the same calming affects of alcohol (without the rest of the horrible effects like sloppy speech, impaired judgement, risk taking, etc) that would be like a miracle drug for certain intense anxiety sufferers.
Maybe I'm wrong, maybe the whole point of alcohol is that it suppresses a certain part of your brain that might be overactive. Like an over-active inhibition response that you have normally, and when you drink that just lowers it, but you can't make a pill that specifically targets anxiety without all the other side effects of alcohol.

Anyway, why does alcohol do this? I'm guessing its suppressing something. Because when I'm anxious in my every-day life, I feel like I'm over thinking, or in other words something is happening in my brain that is on overload as opposed to other people's brains.

[kaliope]

well i think you are answering your own question. you would have to do the research to find out what chemicals and what part of the brain is affected to find out what is really going on.

my theory: i know it is physically impossible to panic and relax at the same time. (try relaxing during a panic attack and the panic attack will stop) alcohol makes you relax. so it makes sense that your anxiety would go down.

[wiretwister]

the best anxiety reducer I have ever had was a muscle relaxer..but was so good I abused it and had to stop...

[Weownthesky]

Something to do with the chemicals it deals with in the brain. Like how ecstasy effects your serotonin. Alcohol is a "depressant" so it slows down your brain and inhibits your judgement.

[MeVsHer]

I agree with u OP it helps me with mine even something light like wine or a wine cooler

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[ilovelights79]

I don't think it goes away completely... at least not for everyone. Some people just get drunk but stay anxious.

[Nivad]

Alcohol helped me when my anxiety first started out, but i paid a price for it the next day as my anxiety would flare up an panic attacks were a giving really. Now about a year later i cant even drink alcahol as it causes iregular heartbeats which is caused by anxiety my physician stated. When it happens it usually strikes fear in me which ruins my night. What i do for a beer, have one for me next time.(".

[Daniel87]

Some would say that maybe you shouldn't drink at all if you have an anxiety disorder, that’s debatable.

I don’t think that alcohol should be avoided if drinking is part of your social repertoire, however, I also know that moderation and good sense should be your guide.

In addition, although alcohol does have a sedative effect it should not be used as a coping tool. This type of behavior can lead to alcoholism and worse yet, more anxiety.

So if you know that you’re a light weight, or if you already know that alcohol makes you anxious, don’t bother. Maybe I don’t need to say it, but really some people just don’t know when to say no.

Take care!

[mountain human]

Originally Posted by Daniel87

Some would say that maybe you shouldn't drink at all if you have an anxiety disorder, that’s debatable.

I don’t think that alcohol should be avoided if drinking is part of your social repertoire, however, I also know that moderation and good sense should be your guide.

In addition, although alcohol does have a sedative effect it should not be used as a coping tool. This type of behavior can lead to alcoholism and worse yet, more anxiety.

So if you know that you’re a light weight, or if you already know that alcohol makes you anxious, don’t bother. Maybe I don’t need to say it, but really some people just don’t know when to say no.

Take care!

And some people get depressed and cry when drinking! My anxiety usually disappeared with alcohol, so I stuck with it until I ended up in rehab. Just my story, but one I've heard many times over the years. Any chemical that make us feel better is just asking to be abused imo. Also, long-term alcohol use can lead to or worsen depression, which frequently lives side by side with anxiety in the brain. AKA "anxious depression".