What Is the Link Between Alcohol and Depression?

People with depression are more likely to drink alcohol. People who drink a lot of alcohol are more likely to experience depression. This two-way connection has been well known for some time. But why do depressed people drink, and why do people who drink become depressed?

Keep reading to learn more about the relationship between alcohol and depression and how to get help if you or someone else are struggling with substance use or mental health issues.

What are the effects of alcohol on the brain? 

Many people drink small amounts to experience the wanted effects of alcohol on the brain. They hope to feel relaxed, calm, and more comfortable in social situations.

As you drink more, it begins to have a greater impact on your brain’s chemistry. It interacts with several important chemicals in the brain, including:

• GABA: a chemical that slows down the activity in the brain

• Serotonin: a chemical often associated with depression that affects mood, sleep, and energy levels

• Dopamine: a chemical linked to pleasure, learning, and addiction

Consistent drinking disrupts normal levels of these chemicals and creates an imbalance. These chemical changes in the brain contribute to a higher risk of depression. In fact, people with alcohol use disorder are almost four times more likely to experience depression than people who don’t have alcohol use disorder.

Why is alcohol classified as a depressant?

Alcohol can contribute to depression, but that is not why it’s called a depressant. Alcohol is a depressant because of its ability to slow down — or depress — the central nervous system (CNS). 

CNS depressants lead to slowed movement, poor coordination, and slurred speech. At low doses, they create calm and happy feelings. At high doses, they can lead to overdose, coma, and death.

How else can alcohol contribute to depression?

In addition to how it affects your brain chemistry, alcohol can also impact depression by interfering with other parts of your life.

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Drinking a lot will expose you to feeling odd, uncomfortable, or physically ill when alcohol is no longer in your system. You could feel hungover the next morning and experience anxiety, stress, and shame about your drinking.

Alcohol can also affect depression by causing social and situational problems. If you drink too much, you could:

• Struggle at work and lose your job

• Experience conflict with friends and loved ones

• Make poor choices while intoxicated, leading to legal issues or risky sex

• Spend money impulsively

• Get injured or hurt someone else

Dealing with the results of your intoxicated behavior while sober can take a toll on your mood. It can add lots of stress, which can lead to more mental health concerns.

Does alcohol use make depression worse?

Alcohol use never makes depression better. If you are prone to depression, alcohol could trigger new symptoms. If you already have depression, it can make it worse.

Alcohol can also create or worsen depression by limiting the benefits of antidepressants. Drinking can stop some medications from working as well as they could. This interaction could keep your symptoms high and prevent you from recovering quickly.

Does depression lead to alcohol use?

Just as alcohol use can lead to depression, depression can lead to alcohol use. People who feel more stress, anxiety, and depression are more likely to drink alcohol.

Drinking alcohol is so enticing for people with depression because it is a powerful — but negative — coping skill. In the short term, alcohol seems to make depression better by causing you to feel happy and relaxed. Of course, in the long term, alcohol doesn’t solve anything.

People may self-medicate their depression with alcohol. They may think that alcohol will improve their thoughts and feelings. But any improvement is temporary. 

When the alcohol wears off, they are left with the same or worse problems. Plus, the unwanted impact on their brain can make it harder to solve issues or feel well. 

What are signs that someone is struggling with depression and alcohol dependence?

When someone is struggling with depression and alcohol use disorder, seeing the individual conditions can be tricky. Many signs and symptoms overlap, so you need to pay attention to subtle differences in how they act, speak, and behave.

Some of the most important signs a loved one is struggling with addiction and depression include:

• Appearing sad or experiencing rapid mood changes

• Spending more time drinking and engaging in activities where drinking is encouraged

• Being hungover 

• Being impulsive and not prioritizing important parts of life

• Complaining about being tired or sick

• Forgetfulness and poor concentration

• Changes in weight, appetite, and diet

• Missing work or being fired from jobs

• Ending relationships or getting in fights with loved ones

With depression, symptoms continue most days over at least a 2-week period. If you notice that your mood, energy, and hopefulness return on days that you are not drinking, you might not truly have depression. Instead, you could only be experiencing the short-term effects of alcohol. 

While you might notice these signs and symptoms in yourself or someone else, only a professional can make a diagnosis. If you think you might be experiencing depression or alcohol use disorder, reach out to a medical or mental health professional.

What can you do for someone if they are dependent on alcohol to help with their depression?

Someone with depression who is used to drinking as a coping skill is not helping their situation. As they drink more alcohol, they lose sight of their healthy coping skills.

If you’re hoping to help a loved one, consider:

• Providing some education about the connection between alcohol and depression

• Mentioning the behaviors that you notice when they drink too much

• Encouraging them to quit, cut back, or take a “vacation from drinking”

• Offering alternative coping skills, like exercise, journaling, and other sober coping skills

• Helping them establish a network of sober supports

• Suggesting that they talk to their healthcare provider or a therapist for a professional evaluation

For many, one of the best ways to address depressive symptoms linked to alcohol use is to quit drinking. Many find that depression starts to get better with time away from alcohol. Be sure to consult with a doctor first to avoid alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

When you have a loved one in this difficult situation, you must tread carefully. Do your best to balance your needs with the needs of your loved one.

Does someone need treatment for depression and alcohol use disorder?

When you have both depression and alcohol use disorder, you may think that targeting one issue will help with both. In reality, you likely need complete mental and physical health care to properly address your symptoms. This is called co-occurring disorders treatment. 

This inclusive care is essential for two main reasons:

1. People with both depression and alcohol use disorder (co-occurring disorders) tend to have a hard time feeling well and lessening their symptoms. Having two conditions at the same time makes it harder to manage symptoms.

2. People with both of these problems have a higher risk of suicidal thoughts and attempts. While intoxicated, people may be impulsive enough to follow through on a suicidal plan.

Trying to deal with depression and alcohol addiction without professional help may be too risky. Professionals can assess your situation and recommend the proper care to keep you safe and comfortable. They can set you on a path of long-term recovery.

If you or a loved one need help accessing treatment:

• Call SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357). 

• Browse options with the Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator Tool.

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Written by:

Eric Patterson, LPC

Eric Patterson, LPC, has been a professional counselor in school and outpatient settings for over 15 years. Patterson has been cited as a mental health expert in publications such as Today.com, Good Housekeeping, and InStyle.

Reviewed by:

Emily Guarnotta, PsyD

Emily Guarnotta, PsyD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and certified perinatal mental health professional with over 10 years of clinical experience.

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