Is Alcohol a Depressant? Definition and How It Affects You

It can also feel rewarding to drink, as maverick sober living alcohol releases dopamine in the brain, encouraging you to keep drinking. Individuals with alcohol use disorder often develop a physical dependency on alcohol. 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.

Effects on the body

Head to our Just Curious section to see what else we can answer for you. Prolonged alcohol consumption is also closely linked to cancer and suicide. It acts on an inhibitory neurotransmitter known as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).

Drinking to cope with depression, no matter if you have an alcohol use disorder, is concerning. “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.” Excessive alcohol drinking can also cause problems socially, such as issues with family, school, employment, and friends. This could have a carryover effect on depression since loneliness and lack of social support are linked to depression. Symptoms of alcohol use disorder may be mild, moderate, or severe, based on the number of symptoms experienced.

1. If you’re undergoing alcohol withdrawal symptoms or want to reduce alcohol cravings, you may be prescribed medication.
2. The effects of alcohol depend largely on how much and how quickly you drink, along with varying factors such as your personal history, genetics, body size, gender, tolerance, and other key factors.
3. Although AUD cases may differ in severity, people who receive effective treatment can fully recover.
4. Depression may even cause people to begin consuming large amounts of alcohol.
5. People may develop an addiction to alcohol after using it to cope with stress or traumatic life events.

For most men, this is five drinks or more in around two hours. Binge drinking is on the rise for multiple groups of the U.S. population, according to the NIAAA. Some are safer than others, symptoms of being roofied but all produce lower levels of awareness in the brain and cause the activity in the CNS to slow down. Depressants are commonly known as “downers,” as they typically reduce stimulation.

Dangers of Mixing Alcohol With Other Depressants

Examples of stimulants include weak or mild caffeine, more potent prescription amphetamines, and illegal drugs like cocaine. The depressant effects of alcohol develop when your BAC hits around 0.08 mg/l. Once your BAC reaches 0.2 mg/l or higher, its depressant effects on your respiratory system can become so overbearing that they lead to coma or death. 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. Whether you drink alcohol regularly or save it for special celebrations, it is a common element in many people’s lives.

Understanding the Link Between Alcohol Use and Depression

However, alleviating depression does not resolve the alcohol use disorder. In some cases, you may receive a dual diagnosis of a major depressive disorder (MDD) and an alcohol use disorder (AUD). This co-occurring disorder isn’t uncommon, but it can be difficult to treat. Alcohol and depression are connected in several ways, and the two often feed off of one another. People may turn to alcohol as a way to cope with mood problems, but drinking alcohol can also contribute to symptoms of depression. Alcohol use can also affect how antidepressants work, which can affect depression treatment.

“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.

The use of medication to treat an alcohol use disorder and a major depressive disorder depends entirely on the individual and their circumstances. Some experts also suggest that both depression and alcohol use disorders share underlying pathophysiology in that they are both neuroinflammatory conditions. Alcohol use disorders may be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the combination of symptoms you’re experiencing, but drinking problems can exist regardless of a clinical diagnosis. Many Americans drink alcohol at least occasionally, usually for social reasons. For most people, moderate alcohol consumption is considered safe.

Alcohol use disorder

However, initially and in small doses, alcohol is a stimulant. Naltrexone, Acamprosate, and disulfiram are also FDA-approved medications that can help curb alcohol cravings. By Sarah Bence, OTR/LBence is an occupational therapist with a range of work experience in mental healthcare settings. This article covers everything you need to know about the connection between alcohol and depression. Combining medicines (prescribed or not) with alcohol can lead to unpredictable and unwanted results. It is essential to understand the dangers of mixing alcohol with other depressants to avoid them.

Alcohol is a depressant that slows down your central nervous system, leading to decreased blood pressure, drowsiness, poor coordination, and reduced alertness. It can also cause other side effects, including a risk for dependence and addiction. For example, a person with frequent episodes are all toads poisonous of severe depression may turn to drinking to self-medicate. People who frequently drink are more likely to experience episodes of depression, and they may drink more in an attempt to feel better. Long-term overuse of alcohol can cause physical and psychological dependence.