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Research studies show that anger and alcohol consumption are bosom buddies. Alcohol consumption is higher in people who suffer from intense anger. Among people with only mild anger only twenty-two percent have two or more drinks at a time, while forty-four percent of people with intense anger consume that much or more.
The Jekyll and Hyde Effect
While alcohol is a numbing agent when it comes to emotions, it initially acts as a stimulant, leading to increased arousal. It sets the stage for reactions that affect emotions and behavior, and makes a person feel they have a right to act the opposite of their normal self. The quiet person becomes loud, the submissive person is now dominant, the shy person is suddenly flirty, and the sweet person becomes angry.
People often drink to forget their troubles, and what they might be feeling at the moment. The term “drowning your sorrows” means to forget relationship problems, sadness, anxiety, shame, guilt and anger. The list is long. The more you drink, the more you forget those feelings. People don’t usually drink to feel good. They drink to feel “less bad.” But if you are a heavy drinker, you can expect to feel more depressed after you sober up.
Some people get angry when they drink. Angry drinkers can also experience more distress during hangovers. They can experience headaches, upset stomach, diarrhea, tremors and nerviousness when they sober up.
Common Sense to the Rescue
Unless you are an alcoholic, here are a few common sense tips to help you drink more responsibly:
- Eat plenty of food prior to and while you’re drinking. Food absorbs alcohol and reduces the effect on your nervous system.
- Avoid drinking alone. This lessens the likelihood that you will abuse. Take your partner or a close friend with you.
- Switch between alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks. This will reduce your alcohol intake by 50 percent.
- Never drink when you are in a bad mood. Alcohol is actually a depressant. If you are depressed alcohol is your worst enemy.
- Volunteer to be the designated driver for your group once in a while. Your friends will be happy and impressed, and no headache in the morning!
- Let someone else be the drunk instead of you. Imagine how good you will feel knowing your friends aren’t talking about you the next day.
- Never have a drink at home before going out to drink, especially if you are driving other people.
- Drink slowly, taking sips instead of gulps. Try to make each drink last a really long time. Let’s not see who can drink the most.
- Decide in advance how much money you will spend on alcohol, and if possible, pay with cash, not with your credit card.
- Always let someone else pour the drinks. Generally other people are less generous with their alcohol than you are.
The guidelines for safe drinking have changed recently. See Alcohol is Deadly for the latest research studies on alcohol. For a long-term view and implications see Alcohol and Dementia.
This report is not a diagnosis. We hope this information can guide you toward improving your life.
Review our Knowledge Base or the links displayed on this page for similar and related topics.