Alcohol & Mood Swings

Lots of people like to unwind with a mixed drink, a glass of wine or a beer. Most times, a single drink will not have too much of an effect on someone, but more than one will have an effect. For most people, having a few drinks will start to alter their behavior.

Your Mood Before You Start Drinking

• The kind of mood you are in before you start drinking affects your mood while you are drinking. You can start drinking while in one particular mood, such as happy or sad, and after a few drinks, your mood can change 180 degrees. Alcohol's effects on behavior are unpredictable.

Types of Mood Changes

• Alcohol can change a person's normal behavior. For some, it can create a happy, jovial, funny and high-spirited person. For others, it can make them quiet and more reserved. It makes some angry. These are the most dangerous drinkers because they can get angry over imperceptible issues, and their anger can lead to violence. For some people, it can cause them to become sexually promiscuous.

Why Alcohol Affects Mood Changes

• Alcohol affects the neurons in the brain. When alcohol is introduced into your system, it goes through the stomach and has to be digested. If you have eaten a meal before drinking, it will take longer for the alcohol to get to the brain because most of the absorption of alcohol is through the intestines. If you haven't eaten, the alcohol can get into the blood stream much quicker and go straight to the brain. Alcohol changes the way your neurons respond to the chemicals in your brain, which is what creates a difference in your normal behavior.

How to Avoid Mood Changes

• People prone to severe mood changes when drinking alcohol should be made aware of it. If you are known to get into a particular mood when drinking, especially if you experience anger, depression or promiscuity, you should limit yourself. If you exhibit any type of mood that is not enjoyable to be around, or frightening to others, then you should drink more cautiously or not at all. To avoid issues with mood changes, set limits for yourself such as only allowing yourself one drink in a certain time frame or one every couple of hours. Drink the drinks slow and plan on eating a good meal before you start drinking.

How to Monitor Your Drinking Behaviors

• In order to understand more clearly how you behave, and what kind of moods you typically display while drinking, it might be best to have someone monitor your behavior when you are drinking. Have him talk to you after a night of drinking and try to be open-minded about his observations. If he feels you are a moody drinker, or might have a problem with drinking, it might be time to stop drinking or get professional help to quit.