Alcohol and Anxiety Attacks

If you find yourself regularly relying on the relaxing effects of alcohol to help with an anxiety disorder, please beware. Not only might the alcohol be contributing to your anxiety, you are also putting yourself at risk for alcohol dependence. Read on to learn about the connection between alcohol and anxiety attacks, as well as helpful treatment solutions.

About Anxiety Disorder

Anxiety disorder is the most prevalent type of mental health disorder experienced in America. Approximately 40 million people in the U.S. are impacted by anxiety each year. Fortunately, anxiety disorders are highly treatable using a comprehensive treatment approach.

When we encounter a stress-inducing trigger, the brain begins producing the stress response hormones cortisol, norepinephrine, and adrenaline. It’s these natural chemicals that produce many of the symptoms we associate with anxiety. Symptoms of anxiety include:

• Feelings of fear or dread
• Racing heart
• Dizziness
• Clenched jaw
• Irritability
• Tense muscles
• Sweating
• Shallow breathing
• Sleep problems

There are several potential factors that may contribute to an anxiety disorder. These include:

• Genetics
• Brain chemistry
• Personality traits
• History of trauma
• Chronic stress
• Undeveloped coping skills
• Negative life events

The different types of anxiety include:

• Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). GAD features excessive or irrational worry. Chronic worrying can cause impairment, sleep problems, irritability, stomach problems, headache, fatigue, and muscle tension.
• Panic Disorder. Panic disorder features unpredictable and intense symptoms that resemble a heart attack. These include chest pain, heart palpitations, shallow breathing, dizziness, and nausea.
• Social Anxiety Disorder. Social anxiety is a deep fear of being judged or embarrassed in public. Symptoms include trembling, sweating, hyperventilating, headache, and nausea.
• Phobia. Phobias are the intense and exaggerated fear of a specific person, place, or thing. The object of fear can lead to irrational and obsessive behaviors as the person attempts to avoid encountering it.

About the Alcohol and Anxiety Cycle

When considering the link between alcohol and anxiety attacks, it helps to look at which condition appeared first. Was it the alcohol misuse that was present first, or was it the anxiety disorder?

If alcohol abuse was already present, certain effects of the alcohol can trigger anxiety attacks. These include dehydration, low blood sugar, and increased heart rate. In contrast, if the anxiety was already present, the person may be using alcohol as an unhealthy coping tool.

Either way, the two co-occurring disorders can become a problematic cycle of alcohol and anxiety attacks. The anxiety triggers the perceived need for alcohol, or the effects of the alcohol triggers anxiety symptoms.

The danger is that with ongoing misuse of alcohol comes the increased risk of developing alcohol dependence or addiction. That would create what is known as a dual diagnosis, or the presence of both the anxiety and alcohol use disorders.

About Alcohol Use Disorder 

Alcohol’s relaxing properties make it attractive to those who wish to numb the unpleasant effects of an anxiety disorder. Consider an article that makes note of this link. They found that those with higher levels of stress in daily life had a 2.5 times higher rate of alcoholism.

This link between alcohol and anxiety attacks reveals how risky it is to self-medicate with alcohol. When someone consistently exceeds the CDC guidelines, it is likely to result in alcohol use disorder. The CDC defines moderate alcohol intake as one alcoholic beverage per day for women or two per day for men.

To diagnose alcohol use disorder, a doctor will refer to the DSM-5 criteria. The number of symptoms present dictates the level of severity of the alcohol use disorder: mild, moderate, or severe. Criteria for alcohol use disorder include:

• Drink more or for longer than intended
• Unable to stop or cut back on alcohol use
• Engage in high-risk behaviors while intoxicated
• Increased tolerance to alcohol leading to higher levels of consumption
• Continue to drink despite adverse consequences
• Spend increasing amounts of time drinking, thinking about drinking, and obtaining alcohol
• Withdraw socially, isolating from friends and family
• Have legal problems due to the drinking problem
• Neglect responsibilities and obligations
• Experience withdrawal symptoms when trying to quit drinking

Breaking the Cycle of Alcohol and Anxiety Attacks

The key to managing the anxiety is learning how to regulate the emotional reaction to the stressful stimuli. Once these techniques are learned and mastered, it removes the need for alcohol when you feel worried or stressed.

• Focused breathing. Simple breathing exercises can have a swift impact on reducing stress and anxiety. Deep breathing decreases blood pressure, relaxes muscles, slows breathing, and reduces tension.
• Meditation. Taking time for quiet reflection can be highly relaxing. Meditation allows you to take a pause and nurture your spiritual realm. You can practice meditation in the solitude of an outdoor setting or in your own room.
• Yoga. Yoga blends the spiritual and physical, including poses, positions, and movements that calm the mind while toning muscles. There are several different types of yoga to try out to find the best fit for you.
• Mindfulness. Mindfulness is a type of meditation that helps us gain control over distracting worries or thoughts that keep us upset. Mindfulness helps us focus attention on the now, and to feel the present in all aspects.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment for Alcohol Use and Anxiety Disorders

Sometimes it is necessary to reach out for professional help when alcohol and anxiety attacks are disrupting your life. It might be that the anxiety has caused impairment and isolation, and the co-occurring alcohol misuse is getting out of hand.

Dual diagnosis treatment for both disorders includes:

• Alcohol detox and withdrawal
• Psychotherapy techniques, such as CBT
• Group therapy
• Family group sessions
• Education
• Psycho-social classes
• 12-step program
• Holistic activities
• Nutrition and wellness

Wellness Retreat Recovery Center Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder and Co-Occurring Anxiety

Wellness Retreat Recovery Center is a trusted leader in the treatment of co-occurring alcohol use and anxiety disorders. Find solace in our beautiful, serene surroundings while you receive the most effective dual diagnosis treatment available. Call us today at (877) 237-1290.