Alcohol Use Associated With Anxiety Disorders
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There is a strong link between Anxiety Disorders and the use and abuse of alcohol. The phrase “having a drink to calm the nerves” has been around for a long time, and sufferers of Anxiety Disorders will sometimes use alcohol in order to reduce, numb or forget the discomfort and fears that they are experiencing. Those with an Anxiety Disorder are three times more likely to develop alcohol or other substance abuse than those without. |
Many studies and theories have been developed on the relationship between alcohol use and Anxiety Disorders. The Tension Reduction Theory of Alcohol Use suggests the use of alcohol as a form of self-medication, in order to reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety. Others propose a link between symptoms of anxiety and an expectancy of the relief provided by alcohol, whilst some suggest a genetic link between an individual’s anxiety level and use of alcohol. Studies have also been conducted on animals and a link found between symptoms and anxiety and a preference to alcohol. Alcohol is a socially acceptable drug and easy to obtain. Use of it is considered normal and generally seen as less shameful than suffering an anxiety disorder. However use can easily escalate to abuse. Abuse of alcohol can have destructive effects on an individual’s behavior and health, leading to problems with work, social situations and family. These factors contribute to the negative cycle started by the anxiety disorder and make positive change even harder to achieve. The use of alcohol seems to vary with different anxiety disorders. Those with social phobias and agoraphobia tend to use alcohol as a form of self-medication prior to experiencing anxiety symptoms, in order to reduce their possibility and cope better with social gatherings and certain situations. Sufferers of Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Panic Disorder tend to use alcohol at the same time, or shortly after experiencing symptoms suggesting that their anxiety maybe related to a need for alcohol or the result of withdrawal from it. Whatever the anxiety disorder, the associated side effects of alcohol use such as dependency or behavioral change are not positive, and therefore use of alcohol amongst sufferers should be kept as low as possible in order to avoid escalating the problem.
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