Why Alcohol Makes Anxiety Worse

Unravel the Truth! In this Cracking Addiction episode, Dr. Ferghal Armstrong dives into the complex link between anxiety and alcohol.

Ever wondered how are anxiety disorders and alcohol use related? Discover why drinking to ease social anxiety or anxiety and drinking can spiral into alcohol and anxiety disorder, leaving you with hangxiety—that dreaded anxiety after drinking. Only 20% of people with anxiety and alcohol abuse use alcohol to self-medicate, but the risks are huge. Learn how alcohol effects disrupt brain chemistry, fueling a feedback loop where anxiety and drinking worsen each other.

Dr. Armstrong reveals why quitting alcohol and anxiety go hand-in-hand and why traditional treatments often fail for mental health struggles. Get practical tips to break the cycle and build real coping skills! Why watch? Bust myths and find hope for anxiety and alcohol recovery.

Subscribe for more mental health insights!Share your story below!Chapters00:00:00 The Reality of Self-Medicating Anxiety with Alcohol

00:00:42 Prevalence and Demographics of Self-Medication

00:01:27 Who is Most at Risk for Self-Medicating?

00:02:18 Short-Term Relief, Long-Term Harm

00:03:04 Increased Risks: Dependence, Depression, and Suicidality

00:03:39 The Bidirectional Cycle: Anxiety and Alcohol

00:04:25 Withdrawal, Protracted Abstinence, and the Vicious Cycle

00:04:53 The Psychological Feedback Loop

00:05:32 Why People with Anxiety Turn to Alcohol

00:06:10 Personality, Coping Skills, and Self-Medication

00:07:06 Dual Diagnosis: Why Traditional Treatments Often Fail

00:07:51 Integrated CBT: Treating Anxiety and Alcohol Use Together

00:08:53 Clinical Practice—Prevention, Questions, and Skills for Coping

00:09:30 Recovery Is Possible with Integrated Care