Why Do I Experience Anxiety the Day After Binging on Alcohol?
Learn more about alcohol and anxiety, types of anxiety, how anxiety disorders and alcohol use are related, and seeking treatment.
What Is Anxiety?
What Is Alcoholism?
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), generally known as alcoholism, is a chronic medical condition marked by overdrinking alcohol. Alcoholism refers to the inability to control drinking due to physical and emotional dependence on alcohol despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences. Alcoholism can be mild, moderate, or severe. The long-term effects of alcohol abuse on the brain can lead to dependence making individuals subject to relapse when alcohol use is discontinued.
How Common Is Alcoholism?


How Does Drinking Alcohol Affect Anxiety?
Extreme forms of anxiety from alcohol are known as alcohol panic attacks. Unfortunately, certain people believe alcohol helps anxiety and may be drinking to cope with stress, not knowing alcohol triggers anxiety leading to severe anxiety after drinking.
How Are Anxiety Disorders and Alcohol Use Related?
Comorbidity involving alcohol use disorder and anxiety disorders is quite common. A profound relationship between anxiety and alcoholism is observed. This can be due to individuals using alcohol to numb the effects of persistent anxiety and alcohol use itself, causing anxiety disorders. Alcohol has a depressant impact on the brain and, when ingested, may help in stress relief, but this benefit of alcohol and anxiety is only temporary. Inversely, the biochemical effects of alcohol on the brain have worsened and led to anxiety after drinking alcohol.
Can Drinking Alcohol Lead to An Anxiety Disorder?
Persistent anxiety from alcohol use disorder is more likely to occur in long-term heavy drinkers, which is described as alcohol causing anxiety. While occasional anxiety after drinking alcohol can be seen in anyone. Studies have shown that unregulated drinking and anxiety are quite common. Drinking can induce alcohol panic attacks, panic hangover symptoms, or anxiety while drinking in people prone to anxiety. On the other hand, moderate drinking (when overdrinking is avoided) does not cause anxiety.
Does Alcohol Interact with Anxiety Medications?
Anxiolytics of various classes are often prescribed to help treat and manage anxiety disorders. Many of these anxiety medications contain central nervous system depressive properties, which can interact with alcohol in the bloodstream.
Alcohol is also a central nervous system depressant. When anxiety medications are taken with alcohol, side effects of anxiolytics such as sleepiness and worsened respiratory depression (slowed breathing) can worsen. As a result, alcohol must be avoided during the management or treatment of anxiety and alcoholism. Drinking and anxiety treatment can lead to serious adverse effects.
Types of Anxiety Disorders
There are many different types of anxiety disorders, including:
Side Effects of Alcohol Misuse
Alcohol is a potent substance that can harm practically every organ in the body, including the brain, bones, and heart, and has short-term and long-term side effects. Side effects of alcohol that can be seen a day after binge drinking and some of the dangers of alcohol abuse include:
How Much Is Too Much Alcohol?
A moderate drink of alcohol depends on several factors, including the kind of alcohol preparation being taken (beer, wine, gin, etc.) and individual tolerance, amongst others. Too much alcohol would be alcohol intake above two drinks per day for males or one drink per day for women.
What Are Healthy Ways to Cope with Anxiety?
While most people with clinical anxiety disorders require psychotherapy or medication to manage their symptoms, lifestyle changes and healthy coping methods can also help recovery and anxiety management a whole lot easier. Some healthy coping ways to cope with and reduce anxiety include:
Treatment for Alcohol Use and Anxiety at San Diego Detox
One of our goals at San Diego Detox is to tailor our treatment program according to every individual's needs. For that reason, we offer a variety of treatment programs for anxiety with alcohol use disorder. Over time, we've discovered that many patients benefit from a combination of treatments, especially for treating co-occurring anxiety and alcoholism. Our services for anxiety and alcohol treatment include the following:
Alcohol Detoxification
Detoxification involves the total and gradual removal of substances, in this case, alcohol, from the body. At the San Diego detox center, the detoxification process is initiated and completed under the supervision of experts. There is also close monitoring and management of any withdrawal symptoms that may develop. This would prevent alcohol panic attacks, especially in patients used to taking alcoholic drinks to calm nerves or calming drinks for anxiety.
Residential Care
In our residential program, patients receive expert care in a homely environment built to ensure every patient's comfort. Residential care also features counseling and therapy, which are beneficial for anxiety and alcohol treatment and recovery.
Support Groups
During patients' rehabilitation, they will have the opportunity to connect with other patients in support groups. The goal is to assist them in combating isolation, which is a significant adversary of recovery. Support groups help motivate patients and spot signs of relapse or bad habits through healthy interactions. Support groups are highly beneficial for alcohol and anxiety recovery.
For more information, help, and treatment of excessive use of alcohol and anxiety attacks, alcohol, and stress, anxiety from alcohol and anxiety while drinking, give us a call at San Diego Detox today.


Learn More About San Diego Detox
Our team is standing by to discuss your situation and options. Your call is fully confidential, and no obligation is required.
Resources
- https://www.apa.org/topics/anxietyhttps://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323454
- https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/alcohol-facts-and-statistics
- https://www.healthline.com/health/alcohol-and-anxiety#:~:text=How%20alcohol%20worsens%20anxiety,an%20entire%20day%20after%20drinking
- https://www.hhs.gov/answers/mental-health-and-substance-abuse/what-are-the-five-major-types-of-anxiety-disorders/index.html
- https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/understanding-alcohol-use-disorder
- https://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/anxiety-disorders