Best Ways to Deal with Anxiety-Related Alcoholism

Are you worried about a loved one struggling with alcoholism? You have reached the right place.

Often, people do not understand the fact that anxiety could be a contributing factor to alcohol abuse. You should try anxiety counseling to deal with an alcohol disorder.

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a normal emotion that comes out as a response to a fearful or stressful situation. When you become anxious, you may experience increased heart rate, sweating, a confused state of mind, and helplessness.

Anxiety normally subsides after some time. When these feelings stay for a longer time and interfere with the basic functions of your mind, it results in an anxiety disorder.

Different types of anxiety disorders are:

• A generalized anxiety disorder occurs due to fear of general things like visiting a doctor’s clinic or jitters before an examination.
• Unexpected events or episodes can result in panic disorder. 
• Anxiety can be triggered by specific fears like vertigo, claustrophobia, or obsessive-compulsive disorder.
• Social anxiety disorder can come from fear of public places and forums.

Factors that Affect Anxiety

Some factors that trigger adverse effects in anxiety disorders are:

• Health Conditions
• Heavy Medications
• Negative Mindset
• Alcohol and Caffeine

How can Alcohol Worsen Anxiety?

A recent report reveals that US alcohol sales have increased by 20 percent during the early stages of the pandemic. 

Having a drink may seem the best solution to give immediate relief to anxiety. But the relief is only short-lived. What you may not realize is your body becomes addicted to alcohol to calm your mind and stress.

When used for a longer time, alcohol decreases the level of a chemical substance in the brain called serotonin. Changes in neurotransmitters in the brain results in depression and anxiety disorder.

Increased use of alcohol affects your sleeping pattern. An irregular sleeping cycle may worsen anxiety in people.

Overconsumption of alcohol can also cause severe headaches, nausea, dehydration, and low glucose level in the blood.

Ways to Deal with Anxiety-Related Alcoholism

Here are some ways to deal with anxiety-related alcoholism.

Medication

Detoxification is the first step to treat alcohol abuse. Prolonged use of alcohol fills harmful chemicals in the body. It is a medical procedure to restore the balance in your system.

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms include lack of sleep, vomiting, diarrhea, and fatigue. Anti-depressant pills like benzodiazepines are prescribed for a recovering alcoholic to manage the symptoms.

Naltrexone is a commonly prescribed medicine for alcohol cravings. It can be administered orally or in the form of an injection.

Rehabilitation

Getting yourself admitted to a rehabilitation center can help to overcome anxiety-induced alcoholism. These centers have expert doctors who conduct anxiety counseling sessions for the patient.

It helps them to overcome the addiction and motivates them to lead a healthy life.

Self Help Methods

Although you have medical and healthcare centers that can provide medication to handle alcoholism, your willpower is the best medicine to cure your body. Maintaining a sober lifestyle and controlling your mind against addiction is the best way to overcome anxiety.

Seek Outside Help

You should not abstain from seeking help from others. You can join a group of people who are trying to quit drinking. Attending seminars and enrolling in de-addiction programs can help you to curb the addiction from getting worse.

Conclusion

Giving up alcohol can be an overwhelming feeling for any addict. Acceptance is the key to stop any addiction. Only if you make up your mind to quit alcohol can you overcome the urge to drink.

Exercising and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help to reduce alcohol intake. If you want a better future for your family, do not delay in taking the necessary steps to handle anxiety-induced alcoholism.