Alcohol Use and Its Effect on Mental Health

As college students return to campus, it is important to remember that alcohol use is associated with poor academic performance, sexual assaults and violence. In addition, those with depression or other mental health conditions have a greater chance of developing an alcohol use disorder or addiction. (Individuals with a family history of alcoholism also are at a higher risk of having a drinking problem.)

According to the Mayo Clinic, signs of alcoholism include finding it difficult to control your consumption, being irritable or defensive when asked about your drinking, having a fixation with alcohol, continuing to drink despite negative mental and/or physical effects,and experiencing signs of withdrawal when attempting to quit (such as anxiety, headaches, insomnia, nausea, shaking hands and sweating). The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, defines moderate alcohol use as two drinks for an adult man and one drink for an adult woman per day. (A “drink” is a 12 ounce bottle of beer, a 5 ounce glass of wine or 1.5 ounces of an 80-proof distilled spirit.) Anything beyond that is “at risk drinking.”

The earlier an individual begins binge drinking, the greater the chance he or she will develop an alcohol use disorder. Heavy consumption of alcohol can result in a coma or even death. Slurred speech, having trouble focusing and impaired balance each indicate that an individual is in the danger zone for alcohol poisoning. If he or she is vomiting, experiencing slowed or irregular breathing, having trouble remaining conscious or exhibiting a bluish skin color, call 911 immediately.

Questions that can assess your own use of alcohol include:

• When do you drink? Frequently? Automatically? Is it part of every social interaction and pastime?;

• Why do you drink? To cope with or avoid problems? To fit in with friends who are drinking? To unwind from stressful situations?; and

• Can you take a break for several days?

If you are asking yourself if you are an alcoholic, you likely may be. Some part of you probably already knows the answer, which is not the one you want to hear.

While many individuals with depression, anxiety and Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder self-medicate with alcohol, negative effects will quickly outweigh any short-term relief they experience. Drinking can temporarily reduce anxiety, however, even moderate amounts of alcohol have the potential to increase it within a few hours of consumption, an effect that lasts into the following day.

Drinking less can help you lose weight, sleep better, have more energy, improve your mood and increase self-esteem. Try taking a week off; setting a clear moderation goal (i.e., only one drink per night, etc.); drinking only with food; and/or choosing not to consume alcohol if you are lonely, upset or depressed. #AlcoholAwareness #HelloSundayMorning #SoberMovement