What are the Emotional Effects of Alcohol

The emotional effects of alcohol are extensive and can cause problems for both drinker and the people closest to him or her. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 1 in every 13 American adults is or has been an alcohol abuser or alcoholic. This does not include the many younger individuals who fall victim to alcoholism, making the overall prevalence of the disease very high.

Anxiety

• Drinking can sometimes cause anxiety instead of helping it.

  While it is true that many people drink as a way to become more sociable, heavy drinking can eventually lead to seclusion and intensify a lack of self-confidence. You can end up feeling that there is no possibility for you to be around people when you're sober. This poses even bigger problems if you are are trying to stop drinking, since you must regain your self-esteem without relying on alcohol as a crutch.

Depression

• Alcohol consumption in the long term can lead to clinical depression.

  One of the long-term effects of alcohol use is depression. In both the long term and the short term, alcohol can lead to higher levels of depression in those already dealing with the problem. According to the American Psychological Institute, drinking can also induce new cases of depression. Since alcohol is a depressant, the euphoric effect, even if it seems to make you feel better at first, will never last very long.

Anger

• Sudden anger is typical in a heavy drinker.

  Anger is a well-known side effect of alcohol consumption. Since drinking lowers people's inhibitions, they are more prone to snap at even the smallest irritant. If you are already in an angry mood when you begin to drink, your anger is intensified, which can lead to arguments, fights and violence in general. In the long run, this affects everyone that comes into contact with you.

Coping Mechanism

• Drinking is never the best answer for solving problems.

  Alcohol is sometimes used as a coping mechanism for emotional problems. Sadly, problems never actually go away as a result if using of alcohol. They are only masked for a short while, and eventually, you have to increase the quantity of alcohol you consume to get the same results anyway. This prolonged drinking, according to Bright Eye Counseling, leads to further instability of the emotions.

Family

• When a people have drinking problems, their families tend to suffer.

  Emotional effects of alcohol are not limited to the drinker. It is inevitable that the family will suffer emotionally as well. The abuse -- physical, sexual, and psychological -- that comes with living with an alcoholic leads to psychological problems for the spouse or children.