Alcohol and Anxiety: Understanding the Connection

Many people reach for a drink to "take the edge off" after a stressful day at work or during social situations that trigger anxiety. While alcohol may seem to provide temporary relief, the relationship between drinking and anxiety is complex—and often counterproductive. At Next Step Psychiatry in Lilburn, Georgia, we help patients throughout Gwinnett County and Metro Atlanta understand this connection and find healthier ways to manage anxiety.

How Are Alcohol and Anxiety Related?

Research has long shown a strong overlap between alcohol use disorders and anxiety disorders. This connection works both ways: people with anxiety may use alcohol to cope, and alcohol use can trigger or worsen anxiety symptoms.

The reasons are both physiological and psychological. Alcohol affects brain chemistry in ways that can temporarily reduce anxiety—but as the effects wear off, anxiety often returns stronger than before.

What Is "Hangxiety"?

"Hangxiety" describes the worry, regret, and anxiety felt after a night of heavy drinking. This isn't just guilt about what you might have said or done—there's real science behind it.

Drinking disrupts your body's cortisol production (the stress hormone) and affects neurotransmitter levels. Elevated cortisol and altered brain chemistry can leave you feeling anxious, restless, and on edge the morning after. If you're waking up with hangxiety regularly, it may be a sign to examine your relationship with alcohol.

Can Alcohol Cause Panic Attacks?

Yes. To understand why, consider how alcohol interacts with GABA—a neurotransmitter that helps regulate your nervous system and promotes calm. Alcohol mimics GABA's effects, which is why drinking can initially make you feel relaxed.

However, your body constantly seeks balance. Heavy drinking causes your brain to reduce its own GABA receptors in compensation. When alcohol wears off, there are fewer receptors available for natural calming, making it harder for your body to relax—and potentially triggering panic attacks.

Preventing Panic Attacks After Drinking

The most effective prevention is knowing your limits and avoiding excessive drinking. If you're prone to anxiety or have an anxiety disorder, even moderate alcohol consumption may trigger symptoms.

If you're worried about panic attacks after drinking, the safest strategy is to abstain—especially in situations where you need to perform or function well the next day.

Is Hangxiety a Sign of Alcohol Dependence?

Occasional anxiety after drinking doesn't necessarily indicate dependence. However, if you frequently experience significant anxiety and regret after drinking, it may be worth examining your patterns.

Warning signs of alcohol dependence include:

• Being unable to limit how much you drink
• Spending significant time drinking or recovering from drinking
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you don't drink
• Drinking in unsafe situations
• Developing tolerance (needing more to feel effects)
• Continuing to drink despite relationship or work problems
• Using alcohol as your primary coping mechanism

When to Seek Professional Help

If you're regularly experiencing anxiety symptoms—whether related to alcohol or not—it's important to seek help. Signs that professional evaluation is needed include:

• Persistent worry that's difficult to control
• Panic attacks
• Racing heart, sweating, or shaking
• Sleep problems
• Using alcohol to manage anxiety

At Next Step Psychiatry, we treat patients with anxiety, depression, and co-occurring substance use. Addressing these conditions together is often essential for effective treatment.

Treatment for Anxiety in Metro Atlanta

Whether you're dealing with anxiety alone, anxiety complicated by alcohol use, or both, treatment is available. Our team provides comprehensive evaluations and personalized treatment plans that may include medication, therapy, or both.

This article is for educational purposes only. If you or someone you know is in danger, call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.