The connection between intoxication and feeling anxious, what to do when you experience it

2023-05-09 08:08:00, Shëndeti CNA

The connection between intoxication and feeling anxious, what to do when you

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If you've ever woken up in the morning after drinking too much, you may be all too familiar with this feeling. And we are not talking about the negative consequences in the stomach of an intoxication. But for an anxiety-filled post-drunkenness. Something that makes you think about everything you said and did the night before.

You try to replay the conversations in your head, and analyze any interactions you may have had the night before. But you may also worry or feel guilty about other things, such as the fact that you drank too much and the next day you feel like you're haunted.

This is called hangxiety, because for some people drinking too much alcohol causes high levels of anxiety, which is experienced almost like a panic attack. Experts claim that some people are more prone to anxiety than others, and this can affect their condition before they start drinking alcohol, says clinical psychologist Karla Menli.

According to a wide range of research, there is a close connection between anxiety disorders and alcohol use disorders. "An existing anxiety disorder can promote the use and abuse of alcohol, because it creates a vicious circle" - says Menli, author of the book "Joy from Fear".

According to her, a person may feel anxious and want to use alcohol to reduce that anxiety, often in social situations. "Many of my patients tell me that they use alcohol as a kind of social lubricant. Alcohol is a depressant that helps a person calm down. But after its effect wears off, the anxiety returns and in some cases can be worse than before. It can cause a lot of rumination after drunkenness about the behavior or mistakes that may have been made" - adds Menli.

But who is most affected by anxiety? Those who are more prone to mood disorders or mental health problems are more likely to experience anxiety after drinking large amounts of alcohol. "When you have a pre-existing condition, alcohol relieves it temporarily, but then there is a return to that condition," adds the expert.

The anxiety that occurs after drinking is often stronger. Menli says this happens because of the amygdala, the part of the brain associated with memory, emotions and decision-making. It appears to be affected in people with anxiety, but also in those with alcohol use disorders.

It seems that its structure is changed; therefore, it does not function properly before and after the use of alcohol. As a result, we are more alert and hyper-vigilant because the body goes into "fight or flight" mode. It's this that causes anxiety, and perpetuates it, Menli says.

Moreover, the prefrontal cortex is restored to its normal functioning. When you're drinking, the prefrontal cortex isn't inhibited, which can lead us to do crazy and sometimes dangerous things because "our higher reasoning doesn't function normally," says Manly.

Pasi korteksi paraballor aktivizohet sërish, ai fillon të marrë në konsideratë gjërat që mund të kishim bërë një natë më parë. Harold Hong , psikiatër më “New Waters Recovery” në Karolinën e Veriut, SHBA, thotë se alkooli rrit nivelet e disa neurotransmetuesve në tru, si glutamati, që mund të rrisë simptomat e ankthit.

“Po ashtu alkooli redukton nivelet e GABA, një neurotransmetues frenues që ndihmon në rregullimin e ngacmueshmërisë në tru dhe në qetësimin e aktivitetit të sistemit nervor. Nivelet e ulëta të GABA-s mund të çojnë në rritje të stresit dhe përgjigjeve të frikës”- shton ai.

Gjithsesi, lajmi i mirë është se ankthi pas dehjes nuk zgjat përgjithmonë, thotë Hong. Ankthi ndodh tek ata që kanë ankth për shumë kohë pasi alkooli të jetë metabolizuar. Por sapo zhduken efektet e dehjes, do të ikë edhe frika pas pirjes.

"The best way to treat this problem is to avoid drinking too much alcohol and practice self-care strategies, such as deep breathing exercises and relaxation," says Hong. If you have anxiety after getting drunk, engage in physical exercises or other things that will take your mind off the analysis and the stress associated with it./ Adapted from CNA.al