Stress and Alcohol - A Vicious Circle

It isn't too uncommon to hear people blame their alcohol consumption on someone else. "He drives me to drink," is a popular excuse but its underlying reason is really stress -- stress that's compounded by heavy alcohol use.

Numerous research reports that moderate alcohol consumption can be beneficial as it can improve some facets of the thinking process and improve problem solving skills under stress. However there are just as many reports that show large consumption consumed over a long period of time worsens the symptoms of stress.

A large quantity of alcohol stimulates the hypothalamus, pituitary and adrenal glands and as a result, increases the amount of cortisol and adrenaline that the body naturally produces. Neither cortisol nor adrenaline causes stress. Both however, increase its symptoms.

When stress is unusually high, it decreases concentration. Alcohol has the same effect so when the two are combined, heavy drinkers significantly reduce cognitive abilities at a time when they need clear thinking the most.

Interestingly, studies have shown that chronic drinkers exhibit some of the same symptoms that children who suffer from ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) exhibit. Studies further demonstrate that children of heavy drinkers are more prone to have ADHD than children of non-drinkers.

The nature of an ADHD child can increase the abuse of alcohol use in families that don't get the help they need. Instead of learning appropriate coping methods and child-behavior modification skills, abusers will turn to alcohol, which does nothing to alleviate the problem. In almost every case, it only exasperates them.

One thing that has been known to relieve stress is exercise. The problem with this strategy however is that alcoholics don't exercise. Alcohol kills the desire to work out, train, or keep fit on a regular schedule.

In addition, alcohol suppresses the appetite.  Although alcohol contains calories, it's not enough to replace a healthy diet. This is what gives an alcoholic a thin, unhealthy and weak appearance.

Another issue surrounding alcohol and stress is the amount of money required to maintain the alcoholic addiction. Alcoholism is an expensive habit and when maintaining a family budget or simply managing to pay bills on time is stressful enough even for the non-alcoholic, the costs of paying for alcohol only adds to the pressure of maintaining sufficient funds to live on. Alcoholics are then prone to make irrational decisions and spend money to maintain a habit, rather than to pay the mortgage, car payment, or insurance bill. This is but one example of how alcoholics are unable to responsibly think and act their way out of stressful circumstances.

What results is a cycle of inability, where excessive drinking brings on stressful situations while stress causes alcoholics to drink. Suppressing the aptitude to make rational decisions, alcohol seemingly disallows any sort of break from this cycle.

There's only one thing that will break the cycle and that's help. Alcohol does not relieve stress but acceptable and proper coping methods will. Regular exercise and a good diet provide a good start, however the need for therapy is probably inevitable in many cases.

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