Author: Alex Thompson

Is alcohol a stimulant or depressant? Definition and more

But at EHN Canada, we can help those seeking help with the rough parts, leading to recovery and wholeness. Stimulants and depressants have very different effects on the body. Note that when it comes to alcohol, moderation is key to avoiding negative health effects. Benzodiazepines are one class of depressant drugs used to treat insomnia and anxiety, while prescription opiates are powerful products in this category. There are different types available, including trauma-specific therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), as well as individual, family, or group therapy. Options for support groups include Alcoholics Anonymous, Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART), or Women for Sobriety (WFS), among others.

1. When treating depression and substance abuse, consult with a mental health professional and/or an addiction specialist who can provide resources and recommendations for possible treatment options.
2. Alcohol slows down brain activity, impairs judgment, coordination, and can lead to sedation or drowsiness.
3. Alcohol increases the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the brain’s primary inhibitory neurotransmitter.

How Does Alcohol Affect Behavior?

Cognitive behavioral therapy can also be used to treat co-occurring AUD and MDD, by improving your emotional regulation, changing your cognitive behaviors, and helping you develop personal coping strategies. Alcohol is frequently used to numb uncomfortable emotions and can become a habitual pattern that disrupts the natural balance of neurotransmitters in the brain. Whether you’re ready to start your journey with EHN Canada now or just want to learn more, our admissions counsellors can guide you through your options.

Does Depression Drive You to Drink Alcohol?

Chronic alcohol abuse can result in cognitive impairments, including memory problems, difficulty concentrating, and decreased overall cognitive functioning. Ongoing research theorizes that alcoholics experience either greater stimulant effect or less depressant effects compared to peers. While alcohol is commonly referred to as a depressant due to its overall sedating effects on the central nervous system, it does have some initial stimulant-like properties. A treatment center will attempt to verify your health insurance benefits and/or necessary authorizations on your behalf. Please note, this is only a quote of benefits and/or authorization.

Excessive alcohol use causes profound changes in neuronal pathways and neuro-immunological functions, resulting in long-term harm to the brain and internal organs. If yes, why do we often feel more energetic and euphoric after a few drinks? Heavy drinkers experience fluctuations in levels of chemicals like GABA and dopamine in their brains. Long-term, this leads to dependence, making the brain incapable of functioning without alcohol. Typically the stimulating effects of alcohol occur when your BAC nears .05mg/l, but ease once your BAC nears .08 mg/l. Alcohol can produce feelings of euphoria and excitement, making you feel instantly happier and more confident, but those feelings are fleeting.

Alcohol Use Disorder and Depression

You are stuck in a negative cycle of depression and drinking until both diseases are properly treated. Calls to our general hotline may be answered by private treatment providers. We may be paid a fee for marketing or advertising by organizations that can assist with treating people with substance use disorders. Addiction Resource does not offer medical diagnosis, treatment, or advice. Only trained and licensed medical professionals can provide such services.

Effects of Alcohol Use

Having either depression or alcohol use disorder increases your risk of developing the other condition. Alcohol use can temporarily alleviate symptoms of anxiety in the short term. However, excessive and chronic alcohol consumption can lead to increased anxiety and even the development of anxiety disorders. About 84.9% of people aged 18 and older reported drinking alcohol at some point in their lifetime, with nearly 24% engaging in binge drinking within the past month. Excessive alcohol consumption is linked to a range of mental and physical health issues, making it the 3rd cause of preventable death. However, as one continues to drink and the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) rises, the second phase of the response kicks in.

What is alcohol and how does it impact your mood?

Once they consume more, however, they experience depressant effects as they lose coordination and start to take foolish actions. The depressant effects of alcohol get far worse when a person overdoses on alcohol, with results that can include vomiting, unconsciousness, and even death. Alcohol may be considered a stimulant based on its initial euphoric effects. However, over time, its depressant effects may take a toll on you. Alcohol addiction profoundly impacts both physical and mental health, often leading to severe conditions such as depression and anxiety. It can be tempting to drink if you’re feeling unhappy, but there’s a better solution out there.

That means that, despite its initial effects, tequila is still a depressant. Some people say it’s actually an upper because it makes people who drink it happy. People claim it’s even healthy because the agave it’s made from can help lower triglycerides.

Alcohol is technically classified as a depressant because it slows, or depresses, basic functions such as speech, reactions, and movement. It also affects brain function and neural activity, impairing the ability to think clearly, altering perceptions of one’s immediate surroundings, and distorting issues of judgment. However, in larger doses, alcohol typically causes sluggishness, disorientation, and slower reaction times, as it decreases your mental sharpness, blood pressure, and heart rate. In larger quantities, alcohol switches from a stimulant to a depressant. It slows down your nervous system, blood pressure, and heart rate, leading to mental fogginess, drowsiness, and lack of coordination.

Alcohol abuse can lead to the development of substance use disorders, where a person becomes dependent on alcohol and experiences difficulty controlling their alcohol consumption. Alcohol has certain stimulating effects, but it is not classified as a stimulant. The stimulating effects (like increased heart rate or a sense of energy) only last during the initial stage of intoxication.

This article reviews the effects of alcohol, both as a stimulant and a depressant. Naltrexone may also be used to reduce drinking without quitting cold turkey. This approach, known as the Sinclair Method, aims to reduce drinking by having people take naltrexone when consuming alcohol. A person should speak with a healthcare professional to learn more about healthy alcohol use. The amount of alcohol a person consumes affects them more than the type of alcohol they drink. Naltrexone and acamprosate can both reduce heavy drinking and support abstinence.

It can be tempting to drink for the “mood-boosting” side effects, but this can lead to alcohol abuse or dependence on alcohol. Depressants affect the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which slows down your brain activity. This can lead to side effects such as relaxation, drowsiness, slurred speech, decreased inhibition, and problems with coordination. Consuming too much alcohol too quickly can affect breathing, body temperature, and heart rate. In extreme cases, alcohol poisoning can cause brain damage or even death.