Connection between Alcohol Consumption and Depression: Insights and Exploration
A growing body of research suggests that the relationship between alcohol and depression is a complex and concerning one, with chronic alcohol use significantly increasing the risk of self-harm and suicide.
If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, support is available. You can call or text the 988 Lifeline, chat at 988lifeline.org, or text HOME to the Crisis Text Line.
A 2010 study found that children born with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are more likely to develop depression later in life, highlighting the long-term effects of alcohol on mental health. Depression, in turn, is the leading cause of disability worldwide.
Alcohol use in a person with depression may intensify symptoms and increase the risk of adverse and life-threatening outcomes. In fact, individuals with alcohol dependence are about 3.7 times more likely to suffer from major depression compared to the general population.
The connection between alcohol and depression is not a one-way street. Alcohol can both trigger and worsen depressive symptoms, while those suffering from depression might use alcohol as a form of self-medication. This bidirectional relationship can reinforce each other, making both conditions more severe and treatment-resistant.
Chronic alcohol use impairs brain regions involved in decision-making, impulse control, and mood regulation, including disruption of serotonergic function. This impairment weakens an individual’s ability to consider alternatives in a crisis, increasing the likelihood of suicide as an option.
Hazardous drinking behavior is statistically associated with a higher risk of suicide planning and attempts, particularly among adolescents and young adults. Alcohol misuse is a significant predictor of self-harm and suicidality in early adulthood.
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant and exacerbates mental health conditions such as anxiety and PTSD, often making these disorders treatment-resistant and progressively worse over time. This contributes further to social and occupational difficulties, and diminished life satisfaction, which are risk factors for suicide.
Long-term alcohol abuse leads to serious health conditions such as liver disease, cardiovascular problems, and brain damage, which can worsen psychological distress and depression.
Many doctors recommend avoiding alcohol while taking antidepressants, and excessive alcohol use is defined as binge drinking (for females, consuming four or more drinks in a single session; for males, consuming five or more drinks in a single session) or heavy drinking (for females, eight or more drinks per week; for males, 15 or more drinks per week).
People who drink to cope with psychological distress may drink more over time, especially when they wake up feeling anxious or depressed. Signs that a person may have an alcohol use disorder include needing to drink to feel "normal", being unable to stop drinking despite trying, concealing drinking from others, doing things that harm oneself or others when drinking, being distracted by cravings for alcohol, needing to drink progressively more to get the same effects.
In summary, chronic alcohol use profoundly disrupts mental health, elevates depression, and impairs cognitive and emotional regulation, all of which dramatically increase the risk of self-harm and suicide. Addressing alcohol use disorder alongside co-occurring mental health conditions is crucial to breaking this dangerous cycle and reducing suicide risk.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that excessive drinking claims many lives. If you suspect someone you know may be struggling with alcohol use disorder, offer support and encourage them to seek help. Together, we can help break the cycle of alcohol and depression.
- The complex relationship between alcohol and depression is mirrored in the field of health-and-wellness, where science has shown that alcohol use can exacerbate depressive symptoms and increase the risk of self-harm, such as suicide.
- Paxlovid, a medication often used for COVID-19 treatment, has specific interaction considerations with alcoholuse. It's recommended to avoid alcohol while taking Paxlovid due to potential adverse effects on mental health.
- Contextual factors, including mental-health history, can significantly influence an individual's alcoholuse patterns. Chronic alcohol use can worsen mental health conditions like anxiety and PTSD, creating a cycle where both conditions become more severe and treatment-resistant.
