Men drink alcohol for different reasons. Some men, for example, may drink to celebrate milestones. Some may drink because it makes it easier to socialize at gatherings. Others may drink to cope with stress, anxiety, and other mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
People who drink to cope with mental health challenges are more likely to engage in binge drinking, defined as reaching a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher, which is the legal limit for driving in most states. This level is reached after about four drinks for women, or five drinks for men, in about two hours. Binge drinking increases the likelihood of developing alcohol use disorder (AUD) as well as the odds of experiencing a wide range of negative consequences — including arguments, physical fights, legal issues, injuries, and death — which can exacerbate existing life challenges.
About AUD
AUD is characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences. AUD is a spectrum disorder that ranges from mild to moderate to severe and encompasses the conditions that have been previously referred to as alcohol abuse, alcohol dependence, or alcoholism. Individuals with AUD, may find themselves stuck in a three-stage cycle of drinking to intoxication, feeling bad emotionally when the alcohol wears off, and then becoming preoccupied with drinking again.
Because of a loss of reward function and a gain of stress function in the brain caused by repetition of this cycle, people with AUD commonly experience an increase in emotional distress in between bouts of drinking. As a result, there is high co-morbidity of AUD with mental health disorders, particularly anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Conversely, anyone experiencing these and other mental health disorders is also more likely to develop AUD.
Alcohol can also impact mental health through its effects on physical health. Alcohol is associated with more than 200 diseases and conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, and sleep and pain disorders. Men should also be aware that sensitivity to alcohol increases as they age. This sensitivity may put older men at a higher risk for alcohol-related problems. Combining alcohol with certain medications can increase these risks and also lead to fatal overdoses.
Alcohol also causes widespread inflammation in the body, which can increase the risk of liver disease, respiratory disorders, digestive system disorders including pancreatitis, cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers. Many mental health conditions, including major depression, PTSD, and anxiety disorders, are also associated with increased inflammation. Levels of inflammation may be even higher in people with both major depression and AUD than with either condition alone and put them at a greater risk of health problems.
Listen to your body
It is important to examine your relationship with alcohol. If you are feeling better or having more fun and energy when not drinking, then listen to your body! It is trying to tell you something. Just be aware that if someone has been drinking heavily for a long period of time, they could experience alcohol withdrawal if they stop abruptly, so it is best to stop drinking under the guidance of a health care provider with experience treating AUD.
If you have concerns about alcohol use, talk to your health care provider. They can discuss your drinking patterns and other concerns and, if needed, help you create a treatment plan. Being open and honest about all your symptoms and drinking patterns will help your health care provider give you the most accurate diagnosis. For more information about alcohol and health and for tips for cutting back or stopping drinking, visit rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov.
Finally, stigma associated with AUD and mental health conditions can hinder a person’s willingness to seek or accept help. It is important to be aware that many people struggle with these conditions. Alcohol use disorder can be treated, and one can recover. With treatment and support, recovery and improved health are possible.
