Alcohol is a depressant. It slows down processes in your brain and central nervous system, and can initially make you feel less inhibited. In the short-term, you might feel more relaxed - but these effects wear off quickly. In fact, if you're experiencing anxiety, drinking alcohol could be making things worse.
You may feel like alcohol is your coping mechanism: a way to deal with depression, stress, anxiety or other difficult feelings. You might be nervous about what life would be like if you stopped drinking or cut back. But relying on alcohol to manage your mental well-being can become a problem in itself.
Aside from completely avoiding anxiety-inducing social situations, people with social anxiety disorder report that alcohol use is one of their primary methods of coping. Many researchers attribute this to the Tension Reduction Theory, the belief that alcohol acts as a negative reinforcer to reduce stress and anxiety.
Coffee (within limited amounts) can produce a calming effect and release dopamine(the feel-good neurotransmitter) in your brain. Green tea is another one of the best drinks for anxiety. It activates chemical neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, said to be 2 of the happiness chemicals within your body.
While alcohol can lessen or put a stop to the anxious thoughts that often lead to panic attacks, drinking will only ever be a temporary fix. It will stop working once the alcohol leaves your body, and if you continually drink to quash your panic attacks, this can lead to long term damage.
Alcohol is a tempting coping skill during periods of high stress. It has the power to calm you down and make you feel more relaxed in the moment. Alcohol is classified as a depressant because it slows down your brain and changes the way you think, feel, and act.
Wine depresses the central nervous system which means that your senses slow down, including your thought processes. So, if you're mind has been racing all day thinking about all the things you have to do then a glass of wine can help to alleviate your stress, worry and anxiety by decreasing such feelings.
The most prominent of anti-anxiety drugs for the purpose of immediate relief are those known as benzodiazepines; among them are alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), diazepam (Valium), and lorazepam (Ativan).
The study found that red wine and beer make people feel relaxed, while spirits make people feel sexy and energetic.
One thing people often miss after they quit drinking is the social lubrication. Many people start drinking in the first place because they have social anxiety and alcohol makes it easier to talk to people they don't know.
By exercising, you can take your mind off of what's worrying you. If you're in a situation where you feel anxious, try going for a walk and take in your surroundings. You could also ask a friend to join you in an activity, so that you can enjoy being active and taking your mind off of daily stressors together.
For many, anxiety levels can improve within three weeks without drinking. For those experiencing post-acute withdrawal syndrome (or 'PAWS'), it may take more time. This is because PAWS symptoms often include longer-lasting anxiety and irritability as the brain recovers from the negative effects of alcohol.
People generally tend to drink alcohol in order to have fun. Being drunk makes them feel happy and “spirited,” and drinking alcohol with friends can be a fun experience. If people are nervous in social situations, drinking helps them relax and have more fun.
Alcohol tends to be the most common method of self-medication—as well as the most commonly abused substance—since it's so widely available. It may be used to self-medicate stress as well as depression and anxiety, even though beer, wine, and liquor are all depressants and will therefore only make symptoms worse.
The good news is that some studies (study links, a and b) have identified how magnesium may ease certain symptoms of stress and anxiety. Here are the facts: Magnesium may help to control the chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) in the brain, resulting in a calming effect on the body.
Foods rich in zinc such as oysters, cashews, liver, beef, and egg yolks have been linked to lowered anxiety. Other foods, including fatty fish like wild Alaskan salmon, contain omega-3 fatty acids. A study completed on medical students in 2011 was one of the first to show that omega-3s may help reduce anxiety.
Anxiety disorders are the most common of mental disorders. They affect nearly 30% of adults at some point in their lives. However, anxiety disorders are treatable with a number of psychotherapeutic treatments.
Stress Reliever
A shot of whisky can help calm the nerves and reduce anxiety. So, if you have had a long and tiring day, relax and pour yourself a glass. But beware, if you are in a particularly anxious state, whisky will only make things worse, as well as all types of alcoholic drinks in general.
Difficult experiences in childhood, adolescence or adulthood are a common trigger for anxiety problems. Going through stress and trauma when you're very young is likely to have a particularly big impact. Experiences which can trigger anxiety problems include things like: physical or emotional abuse.