Does Alcohol Help Ease Anxiety?

Check out this answer from Consensus:

While alcohol can temporarily alleviate anxiety symptoms for some individuals, its effects are not universally beneficial and can vary based on factors such as gender, expectancy, and the presence of anxiety disorders. Moreover, the potential for developing alcohol use disorders and the negative impact on long-term anxiety treatment outcomes highlight the need for caution. Further research is necessary to fully understand the complex interplay between alcohol and anxiety and to develop effective interventions for those who struggle with both issues.

The relationship between alcohol consumption and anxiety is complex and multifaceted. While some individuals use alcohol as a means to self-medicate and alleviate anxiety symptoms, the efficacy and consequences of this practice are subjects of ongoing research. This article explores the various dimensions of how alcohol impacts anxiety, drawing on findings from multiple studies.

Alcohol and Anxiety Reduction

Several studies have investigated the potential of alcohol to reduce anxiety, particularly in social situations. For instance, one study found that alcohol consumption can lead to an increase in positive thoughts and a decrease in negative thoughts during anxiety-inducing activities such as public speaking. This cognitive shift was shown to mediate the reduction in subjective anxiety among individuals with social phobia1. Another study suggested that alcohol might impair interoceptive sensitivity, which is the ability to perceive one’s physiological state, thereby reducing state anxiety in some individuals2.

The Role of Expectancy

The belief that one has consumed alcohol can also play a significant role in anxiety reduction. Research has demonstrated that the mere belief of having consumed alcohol can reduce subjective anxiety and negative cognitions, even when no actual alcohol was ingested3. This highlights the importance of psychological factors and expectations in the anxiety-alcohol relationship.

Gender Differences

Gender appears to influence how alcohol affects anxiety. One study found that alcohol consumption reduced post-event processing (i.e., ruminating about a social interaction) in females but increased it in males. This suggests that the anxiety-reducing effects of alcohol may vary between men and women, potentially contributing to gender differences in the prevalence of alcohol use disorders among those with social anxiety5.

Alcohol Use and Anxiety Disorders

The relationship between alcohol use and anxiety disorders is bidirectional. Epidemiological studies indicate high comorbidity rates between alcohol use disorders and various anxiety disorders. For example, individuals with social phobia and agoraphobia are more likely to use alcohol as a means of self-medication, whereas those with panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder may develop anxiety symptoms as a consequence of pathological alcohol consumption6. Additionally, the presence of alcohol problems can negatively impact the treatment outcomes for anxiety disorders, although mild to moderate alcohol problems do not necessarily preclude effective anxiety treatment7.

Mechanisms of Action

The mechanisms by which alcohol affects anxiety are still being explored. One hypothesis is that alcohol’s impairment of information processing, coupled with distracting activities, can reduce anxiety by making it harder to focus on stress-inducing thoughts. Conversely, alcohol consumption without any distracting activity may increase anxiety by narrowing attention to the imminent stressor10. Another study suggested that individuals with high anxiety sensitivity might be particularly sensitive to alcohol’s dampening effects on emotional reactivity, which could reinforce drinking behavior in this population9.

Does alcohol help ease anxiety?

Claire Rostron has answered Unlikely

An expert from The Open University in Neuroscience, Behavioural Science

Drinking alcohol can be a form of “self-medication” used to unwind from workplace stress or ease study pressures, making it less “aqua vitae” (water of life) and more and “Aqua ad vitae” (water to counteract life). And more than 2,600 years ago the Greek poet Alceus suggested that “we must not let our spirits give way to grief … Best of all defences is to mix plenty of wine and drink it”.

Stress is biologically mediated by the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis – a feedback system between the brain and the pituitary and adrenal glands. But acute alcohol consumption can stimulate this, increasing the production of several stress hormones including corticosterone and corticotropin. But the “stress” response also interacts with the reward effects from the dopamine system, so it may very well feel good.

I have adapted this answer from my original article in The Conversation 

Does alcohol help ease anxiety?

Adam Heenan has answered Uncertain

An expert from Independent in Psychology

Alcohol can make us feel less anxious immediately after consuming it. However, like most drugs, these effects don’t last forever. Alcohol can make us more anxious the next day because of its negative effect on our sleep. 

Does alcohol help ease anxiety?

Anthony Jorm has answered Unlikely

An expert from University of Melbourne in Psychology, Psychiatry

Yes, in can have an immediate effect on reducing anxiety. However, the use of alcohol for this purpose is a trap, because high levels of alcohol use are known to increase anxiety. Alcohol can also lead to social and health problems which can increase anxiety. In general, it is better for people who experience high levels of anxiety to avoid using alcohol.

Does alcohol help ease anxiety?

Alasdair MacKenzie has answered Unlikely

An expert from University of Aberdeen in Genetics, Mental Health, Cannabis, Anxiety

Alcohol, or more specifically, ethanol, has a depressive effect on the brain so that individuals “self-medicating” in an attempt to alleviate anxiety, often feel that their anxiety dissipates after a few drinks. However, this is only a temporary “fix” and not really a viable treatment for anxiety. Indeed, after the effects of alcohol wear off, not only are many people back to square one, but their feelings of anxiety can often be multiplied by the after effects of excess alcohol intake.

Does alcohol help ease anxiety?

George Patton has answered Unlikely

An expert from Royal Children’s Hospital in Child Development, Mental Health, Public Health

The effects of alcohol are obviously short-term but in the long term heavy alcohol use predicts heightened anxiety