Understanding Depression After Drinking

Occasional feelings of sadness are normal, but experiencing overwhelming and prolonged sadness or despair, paired up with symptoms like inability to concentrate, feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt, and sometimes even recurrent thoughts of death or suicide, is how the American Psychological Association would describe depression. Depression can occur due to many factors, and depression after drinking is only one of the potential causes.

A two-sided link between drinking and depression is especially worrisome. Some people turn to drinking to cope with depression, but experiencing depression after drinking is quite common. Understanding this drinking depression is important to manage health and prevent further mental health issues effectively. If you or your loved one are struggling with either of these issues, contact We Level Up Tamarac FL, we can help you.

The Physiology of Alcohol and Its Effects on Mood

Alcohol impacts brain chemistry by making the brain release more dopamine and serotonin, chemicals known as happy hormones linked to pleasure. This is why, in the short term, alcohol consumption results in pleasure, less anxiety, and more confidence. 

In the long term, however, depressed moods are more likely to occur. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. It slows down brain function, leading to a feeling of relaxation. Feeling depressed after drinking can, on a physiological level, be explained by alcohol’s impact on two neurotransmitters. Alcohol enhances the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and inhibits the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate. Enhancing GABA activity leads to a calming and sedating effect on the brain. The inhibition of glutamate, a neurotransmitter promoting alertness and brain activity, depresses the central nervous system. 

Prolonged and heavy alcohol use can disrupt brain chemistry, especially serotonin production, which is related to mood regulation. Some research indicates that binge drinkers are at higher risk for drinking depression. A study on college students in the US concluded that heavy drinkers show more symptoms of depression. Feeling depressed after drinking can even happen after having a single drink, which is related to individual differences. 

For those already struggling with depression, the effect is even more prominent, as consuming alcohol increases the chances of experiencing a depressive episode. Research, however, shows that the correlation between drinking and depression is not linear, meaning there are no rules about how much drinking would result in depressive feelings. 

Data on major depression shows that over 21 million adults in the US suffer from it, and the estimated prevalence for Florida is 14.7%. Research shows that alcohol use disorder and depressive disorders are among the most prevalent psychiatric disorders and that they co-occur more often than expected by chance.

It was shown that infrequent drinkers and lifetime abstainers were not at a high risk of depression, contributing to the conclusion that there is a link between alcohol consumption and depression and that obtaining from drinking positively contributes to mood regulation. 

Depression After Drinking: What You Need to Know

If feeling low or sad after alcohol consumption wears off quickly, you probably have no reason to worry, as these feelings are relatively normal symptoms of a hangover. However, if these symptoms last for more than two weeks, you should consult your doctor about them. The disruption of brain chemicals can explain why you might feel depressed after drinking. Unusually low or high levels of both serotonin and dopamine can trigger symptoms of depression. 

Although the main element of depression is a feeling of impairing sadness, there are many other symptoms, both psychological and physiological, that co-occur and are linked to alcohol consumption. 

Some of the typical physiological signs of depression are symptoms such as pain, weight loss or gain, sleeping pattern disruptions, or a lack of energy. The previously mentioned study on US college students identified trouble sleeping, fatigue, loss of energy, and appetite changes as frequently experienced symptoms of depression after drinking. As for psychological signs, self-criticism was present, which is linked to psychological symptoms of depression — a sense of less worth. 

Alcohol as a Depression Trigger

There are many factors that can contribute to depression development and even more depression triggers. Negative life events, stress, health issues, and hormonal changes, as well as substance use, can trigger depressive states. Prolonged depression after drinking is not a normal occurrence, and it requires addressing before it turns into a bigger mental health problem. 

It can be discussed whether drinking on its own can lead to depression. Many believe that drinking depression only occurs if other factors are present. Genetic, biological, and environmental factors contribute to depression development, but drinking can be seen as a risk factor for it, or rather, a mediator in the link. A person might be more physiologically sensitive to alcohol, making its impact that much stronger and mood swings more prominent. 

Especially worrisome is the situation of alcohol abuse problems, where, due to the existing brain damage, even small amounts of alcohol can trigger significant brain chemistry fluctuations and cause serious depression after drinking. 

The Vicious Cycle: Alcohol and Depression

People often use alcohol to alleviate problems like social anxiety and stress. Alcohol slows down processes in your brain and central nervous system, making you feel less inhibited. While alcohol does provide short-term help, its effect quickly wears off, leaving a person with unbalanced brain chemistry and contributing to feelings of lowness.

However, even if short-term, these positive outcomes of alcohol consumption are sufficient for some people to lean towards it when struggling with mental health issues. Alcohol is frequently seen as a way to escape depression. Paradoxically, it often results in feeling depressed after drinking. The link between alcohol and depression is not a simple one but rather bidirectional, resulting in a vicious circle of alcohol consumption and depression, where one is unsuccessfully used to cope with the other, leading to co-occurring mental health problems and a dual diagnosis. 

Alcohol impacts other mental health issues as well, like anxiety. Those drinking alcohol are also more likely to experience some mental health problems, like psychosis, after suddenly cutting down on drinking. The other side of the story is developing alcohol dependence by trying to deal with existing problems. 

Treatment and Recovery Options

If you are feeling depressed after drinking for an extended period of time (2-4 weeks), this is an indicator you should be looking for professional help. The good news is that mental conditions tightly tied to alcohol consumption are treatable and manageable with comprehensive Florida mental health treatment. 

Drinking depression is a depression disorder whose only specificity is the link with alcohol consumption. As such, it can be properly addressed with depression treatment in Florida. Depending on your specific situation, the severity of the problem, and your preferences, you could opt for an inpatient or outpatient program. A variety of treatments are available, from individual to group therapy, from evidence-based to holistic programs. 

The same goes for a common follower of depression—anxiety disorder. Anxiety treatment in Fort Lauderdale is a comprehensive program that includes therapy, technique and skill development, and medications when needed. It addresses different types of anxiety, helps develop a strong support network, and introduces lifestyle changes that can transform your life. No matter the issue you are facing, you are in safe hands with We Level Up mental health center.

Prevention and Management Strategies

For those who already experienced depression after drinking but it passed in a matter of few days, here are a few practical tips to avoid drinking depression in the future. You might try to:

• Drink water before, during, and after drinking alcohol.
• Keep a regular exercise routine. 
• Have a healthy diet.
• Avoid drinking if you already feel low. 
• Avoid binge drinking.
• Drink in moderation. 
• Find yourself a drinking buddy, someone to hold you accountable while drinking. 

There is always the option of giving up on alcohol entirely. This is especially beneficial for those prone to feeling depressed after drinking and for depressive states in general. If you find this too challenging, but your post-drinking feelings are overwhelming, you can always seek help in your social circle or from professionals.

Main Takeaways

Feeling depressed after drinking is not uncommon, but it is also not something to be ignored. When feelings of sadness are prolonged and overwhelming, that’s a sign you are potentially experiencing drinking depression. This is a treatable mental health state, and you will need a trusted partner to help you deal with it.

You can always contact our professional staff at We Level Up Tamarac FL. We can help you understand your situation better and advise you on steps to take towards a depression-free life.