Post drinking depression is becoming more common than ever in New Jersey, as the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics reports 3,008 deaths resulting from binge drinking. It is normal to feel depressive symptoms for around a week after drinking, but for heavy drinkers, this can go around for months and even years. Recognizing the early 5 stages of addiction can help you seek out treatment and avoid the onset of severe depression after drinking. Here is what the treatment can look like:
- Therapy for Alcoholism (CBT Group Activities)
- Flush alcohol from the system
- Alcohol Medication-assisted program
- Healthier lifestyle adaptations
Read on to learn what are the benefits of these treatment options and how they can reduce the symptoms of anxiety and alcohol simultaneously.
It’s important to address the root cause of mental health issues and beat alcohol addiction. ChoicePoint offers a dual diagnosis program in New Jersey to address co-occurring disorders. Reach out to us to get your treatment started 844.445.2565.
Table of Contents
What Is Post Drinking Depression and How Common Is It?
Post drinking depression is the exuberant feeling of sadness, anxiety, and hopelessness that lingers for days after your last sip of alcohol. Some individuals feel sad after drinking a few glasses only, while for others, it can take a bottle of wine to give rise to hangover depression. Here is the research shedding light on the relationship between anxiety and alcohol:
- As much as 80% of people who drink are likely to experience episodes of binge drinking.
- Moreover, one out of every three people dependent on alcohol use faces extreme depression.
The same is confirmed by Jess, a 36-year-old woman who has been drinking casually almost every weekend. She explained her post drinking depression in these words, “I am very anxious about my drinking habit. My mental health remains doomed for days after drinking. I wake up with negative thoughts that I am going to lose my mind or might have a stroke or heart attack of sorts. It takes me about a week to feel happiness and find my interest in daily chores”.
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Signs of Post Drinking Depression
It is not rare to see people having a cup or two of wine when feeling down. Although alcohol does temporarily lift your mood, long-term use can result in depression after drinking, which may manifest as:
- Fatigue
- Extreme sadness
- Loss of interest in your favorite habits
- Loss of motivation
- Feelings of guilt
- Gloominess
- Disturbed sleep
It’s natural to feel a bit of a dip in your mood, but it is also important to differentiate post drinking depression from a mere episode of sadness.
Please note that this assessment is an initial self-screening and is not meant to be a medical assessment or clinical diagnosis of addiction. For proper diagnosis and treatment, schedule an appointment with ChoicePoint.
How Does Alcohol Cause Depression After Drinking?
Alcohol is a central nervous depressant It disturbs the brain’s chemical balance, increasing GABA (the calming chemical) and decreasing serotonin (the happy chemical). The table below explains how this imbalance makes alcohol the culprit of depression:
| Properties of Alcohol | Reasons for Post Drinking Depression |
|---|---|
| Alcohol is a central nervous depressant |
It increases GABA, which can temporarily give you relaxation, but heavy drinking can cause:
|
| Alcohol affects sleep patterns |
It disturbs the REM and NREM sleep cycles, causing you to wake up in the middle of the night. It can lead to:
|
| The chemical imbalance of the brain takes time to restore, causing hangover depression |
Even a night of heavy drinking can result in a hangover, including:
|
| Suppresses coping skills |
Binge drinking to overcome stress can ultimately deprive you of natural coping skills, leading to:
|
What Does Alcohol Do to a Depressed Person?
Overcoming Alcohol Abuse and Depression: 6 Treatment Approaches To Improve Your Well-Being
Since we are talking about feeling depressed after drinking, it is important to treat alcohol abuse alongside depression to achieve long-term sobriety. The best way to deal with anxiety and alcohol use disorder is by reaching out to a co-occurring disorder treatment center (such as ChoicePoint). Here are a few treatment options for post drinking depression that can help you:
1. Lifestyle Changes
A healthier lifestyle can help you boost serotonin (the happy chemical) to prevent the onset of lingering depressive symptoms arising due to GABA high. Some of these could be:
- Drinking a lot of water
- Taking hydrating meals
- Engaging in exercise
2. Seeking Therapy For Depression
If your post drinking depression and the negative emotions last for longer, then seeking professional help can aid you. You can reach out to an alcohol therapist in New Jersey to address both alcohol abuse and depression. Some of the therapies that psychologists use to treat addiction and depression include:
“People often see addiction as a medicine to cope with anxiety, trauma, or any other issue. Little do they know that addiction is more threatening than a few episodes of anxiety. Counseling can help these individuals understand this very cause of addiction, learn new habits that can replace addiction and associate destructive behavior”, Cheryl Holman, Peer Recovery Support Specialist at ChoicePoint.
3. Quitting Alcohol Abuse
The very step of treating severe depression after drinking is quitting alcohol abuse. Did you know that the World Health Organization states that even a few sips of alcohol are harmful to health? So, if you drink, now is the time to stop drinking. However, if you have developed an alcohol dependence, then you shall not quit alcohol cold turkey.
4. Alcohol Detox
It is important to contact an alcohol detox center in NJ to taper off strategically and have medical supervision. The detox center will provide constant monitoring to manage alcohol withdrawal symptoms so you can get stable.
5. Alcohol Medication Assisted Treatment
Addiction medicine specialists can prescribe you FDA-approved medications to help manage alcohol withdrawal symptoms and curb alcohol cravings. Some of these medication are:
- Acamprosate: Helps restore brain functioning
- Disulfiram: Helps maintain alcohol abstinence
- Naltrexone: Blocks alcohol’s effects so you can avoid drinking
Warning: Alcohol negatively interacts with medications for depression or addiction treatment. You should never mix alcohol with Xanax (anxiety medication) or take alcohol with Suboxone (opioid addiction medicine).
6. Dual Diagnosis
A dual diagnosis program in New Jersey can heal you by providing the following:
- Holistic treatment options
- Tools to address physical and mental symptoms
- Strategies for reducing the relapse rate
Instead of seeking help for depression and alcohol separately, you can get a dual diagnosis to receive holistic treatment if you also cry when drunk. Start your journey toward healing and recovery today.
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Answering Your Queries About Post Drinking Depression
Since alcohol abuse is a growing issue, it is not uncommon to have queries about the effects of alcohol, its impact on the brain (can cause wet brain syndrome), and the treatment of alcohol use disorder. We are answering the top-asked questions relating to alcohol and grief booze blue blues.
How Long Will I Feel Sad After Quitting Drinking?
Alcohol is a depressant. It changes the chemical balance of your brain in such a way that directly impacts your mood, making you feel anxious, depressed, and sad. For non-heavy users, sadness can last for about 2-7 days, but for people dependent on alcohol, post drinking depression may linger on for weeks and even months, depending on the:
- The amount of alcohol consumed
- Alcohol interactions
- Current health status
How To Increase Your Serotonin Levels After Drinking?
Serotonin is the happy chemical in your brain that lifts your mood and helps you stay motivated. Alcohol, being a depressant, decreases serotonin levels in your brain, making you depressed. You can try combating alcohol’s effects on serotonin by following these tips:
- Spend time in sunlight
- Involve in physical activity
- Take a diet rich in omega-3
- Practice gratitude
- Try meditation
Can Alcohol Cause Psychosis?
Although rare, it is possible to experience psychosis as a result of alcohol use disorder for people who depend heavily on alcohol. Alcohol changes the natural balance of the two brain chemicals – dopamine and serotonin. Taking large quantities of alcohol increases dopamine and decreases serotonin levels to the extent that your brain starts assuming situations and people that do not exist in reality. Symptoms include:
- Paranoia
- Hallucinations
- Fear
What Is The Help Available For Alcohol Depression?
The co-existing alcoholism and depression can be treated by an addiction treatment rehab offering a dual diagnosis. The rehab can prescribe your FDA-approved medications to quit alcohol and provide therapy to mitigate the symptoms of depression. The most effective mental health treatment in this situation is behavior therapy, which helps you realize how negative behavior (drinking) influences your mood, enabling you to make conscious positive changes.
References
- National Center For Drug Abuse Statistics. Key Findings
https://drugabusestatistics.org/ - Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2023. Depression, Anxiety, and Stress among Hangover-Sensitive and Hangover-Resistant Drinkers
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10145060/ - National Center For Biotechnology Information. 2006. Sleep Disorders and Sleep Deprivation: An Unmet Public Health Problem.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK19956/ - BMC Medicine. 2022. A healthy lifestyle is positively associated with mental health and well-being and core markers in ageing
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/363920543 - National Center For Biotechnology Information. 2024. Alcohol-Related Psychosis
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459134/
Medical Disclaimer:
ChoicePoint aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use disorder and mental health issues. Our team of licensed medical professionals research, edit and review the content before publishing. However, this information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For medical advice please consult your physicians or ChoicePoint's qualified staff.
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