Pebble in the Road - Alcohol and Serotonin

This is a transcript of  my pebble in the road about using alcohol to help manage your anxiety.

I'm not here to judge or wave the finger at you. There are a lot of people who use booze to relax with or as a reward after a hard day.

But you are not one of them. Because you might be using liquor to handle your anxiety symptoms.

Let me give you two good reasons to consider alternatives.

One, alcohol dehydrates your brain. Your brain wants water. Doesn't really care if it is warm or cold but your brain really wants water. 

So drinking alcohol does the opposite. 

And no, the ice cubes do not count.

The second reason to consider an alternative to booze is that it messes with your hormones. And what is the hormone we want to nurture and propagate? Serotonin.

And if that wasn't enough. Continue drinking they way you do  might increase the level and severity of your symptoms.

There are alternatives to drinking it up and living it down the next day. I really encourage you to seek those out. In the Serotonin episode, I mention some of the ways to boost serotonin in your brain and body. 

There are many alternatives to knocking back a few. Especially if you are using alcohol to try to appear normal or not freak the hell out. 

Resources Mentioned: 

Verywell Mind has a post on The Risks of Using Alcohol to Relieve Anxiety. 

ADAA.org post Social Anxiety Disorder and Alcohol Abuse.

2012 Anxiety and Alcohol Use Disorder, Comorbidity and Treatment Considerations. Retrieved from Pub Med.

If you need support contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 741-741.

Disclaimer: 

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Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder.

This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.