When it came to the positive benefits of alcohol consumption, the same study found that the effect was stronger in does alcohol cause anger reducing negative emotions than it was in introducing positive ones. The personality changes you experience while under the influence of alcohol aren’t necessarily the “real” you. There is also a theory that the disinhibition that alcohol creates raises the risk of violent behavior. Heavy drinkers are more likely to engage in risky behavior, which includes being violent and acting out hostile emotions, often against a loved one.
How to Prevent and Treat Alcohol-Related Aggression
However, when that anger becomes constant or uncontrollable, it can cause a number of issues. One of the things that can make anger even more difficult to control is alcohol. Alcohol use and anger can both be treated using psychotherapy approaches rooted in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). If you find yourself in a situation with someone who is angry while intoxicated, the first step is to assess your level of risk. There’s a difference in safety between someone who is expressing anger verbally and one who has become physically aggressive. To let it go can sometimes cause a sense of grief that may sit beneath the anger and irritability.
What Causes Alcohol-Related Anger and Aggression?
Many factors come into play here like amount consumed, frequency of drinking and personal temperament. Alcohol factors into nearly a third of all murders in the United States. Plus, alcohol-related rage and aggression are tied to intimate partner violence, verbal and physical abuse, sexual assault, violent crimes, verbal and physical altercations, and more (1).
- These issues can then lead to more anger and further difficulty controlling emotions and outbursts.
- When we delve deeper into the psyche of an ‘angry drunk,’ we often find a complex interplay between psychological factors and substance use.
- The moment you think your anger is getting out of control or you’re turning to alcohol or drugs as a coping mechanism, you should consider seeking professional help.
- By seeking recovery for problems with alcohol and anger, you can work toward a more positive life.
- These genetic differences can influence how much someone is affected by alcohol – including whether they’re more likely to become aggressive after drinking.
- Plummeting serotonin levels hinder the brain’s ability to regulate anger and are linked to impulsive aggression (5).
Various factors affect the potential for anger arousal with alcohol consumption.
Nothing contained in this site is or should be considered or used as a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you require a drug and alcohol counsellor or clinician experienced in trauma, PTSD, anxiety and other concerns I can refer out. Exercise (aerobic in particular) has been shown to boost mood and reduce stress. But an impromptu workout session (even low-impact) is a great strategy for when you feel anger or irritability escalating. And the good news is — it’s never too late to learn how to deal with emotions in a healthy way. It’s just going to take commitment, time, and a bit of hard work.
Trait Anger and Alcohol Aggression
Seeking treatment for alcohol misuse, particularly through therapy, is often recommended. No matter the reasons behind feeling anger when drinking alcohol, such behavior can be harmful. By consistently becoming angry or belligerent when you drink, you put yourself and others at risk.
Alcohol had minimal impact on aggression for those who thought about future consequences. Drinking can have a relaxing or anxiety-relieving effect by mimicking the “chill-out” effects of GABA. At the same time, alcohol hinders the neurotransmitter glutamine, which has a stimulating effect. But once GABA is metabolized, it mostly converts to glutamine, causing excitement (6).
Why does alcohol make some people angry?
These emotions can become heightened in potentially extreme ways. For example, if you start drinking when you’re lonely and sad, you may find the alcohol makes you feel even more desolate and distressed than you did when you were sober. Over time Ryan came to better understand factors that contributed to his drinking, including his anger and increased aggression when drinking. Therapy assisted him in recognizing how past wounds contributed to his vulnerability to both anger and alcohol use. After much consideration, he eventually joined an alcohol treatment program as I helped him grieve his wounds and manage his anger. Self-awareness is important for everyone’s mental health, but it is especially necessary for people with AUD and anger issues.