For millions of people, alcohol throws life off course. Alcohol addiction is a disorder marked by continued drinking despite clear harm to health, work, and relationships.
Since the pandemic began, alcohol-related deaths in the UK have risen, likely tied to increased drinking. Covid-19 brought loss of life, jobs, and businesses, and the emotional strain led many to use alcohol to numb pain. Now that the world is slowly recovering, it’s a good time to begin our own recovery journeys. Recovery isn’t easy, but a better life is possible.
Admitting there’s a problem is a major first step. Knowing how alcohol can harm you may help motivate change. Beyond physical damage, alcohol can seriously affect mental health.
Psychological effects of alcohol addiction
Alcohol addiction can cause or worsen many mental health problems:
– Depression: There’s a strong two-way link between alcohol and depression. Depression can lead to drinking, and drinking can make depression worse. While alcohol may bring brief relief, it deepens depressive episodes over time. Intoxication can also lead to risky or violent behavior that worsens losses and fuels depression. Alcohol can interfere with antidepressants and, as a depressant itself, heavy drinking often increases feelings of low mood.
– Alcohol-induced psychosis: Drinking heavily, withdrawing, or chronic use can cause psychosis, sometimes called alcohol hallucinosis. Symptoms resemble schizophrenia and can include hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, and fear. These often appear during drinking or shortly after. Young people who start drinking early, heavy drinkers who are unemployed, those with low income, and people who live alone are at higher risk.
– Alcohol-related anxiety: Alcohol can cause or worsen anxiety. High intake can trigger panic by disrupting brain chemistry. People may also have panic attacks during withdrawal. While people often drink to ease anxiety, alcohol only offers temporary relief and can make anxiety return stronger.
– Memory and thinking problems: Long-term studies in the UK show that even moderate drinking can lead to significant cognitive decline over time. Alcohol is linked to shrinkage in some brain areas. Korsakoff syndrome, a severe memory disorder tied to alcohol, damages nerves and parts of the brain and spinal cord, causing amnesia and confusion. Stopping alcohol can prevent further damage. Heavy drinking also raises the risk of dementia.
Alcohol also disrupts hormones, causes mood swings, lowers inhibitions, and increases impulsive behavior, which can raise the risk of self-harm or suicide. The temporary relief alcohol provides isn’t worth these lasting harms.
Recovering from alcohol addiction
There’s good news: the brain can recover after stopping alcohol. But a warning: stopping suddenly can cause life-threatening symptoms for heavy or regular drinkers. Medical supervision and proper support are essential.
Treatment varies by severity. Some people do well with outpatient care; others need residential rehab. Learn about programs and clinics from reliable places like Rehab Guide. Alcohol addiction is a medical condition and should be treated as one—delaying care can make things worse.
If someone you care about is struggling, offer support. The right help and encouragement can speed their path to recovery.