Alcohol affects the chemical balance in your brain. It can change your mood, feelings and behaviour. This can be in a positive or negative way.
Most people drink because they like the way alcohol makes them feel, at least at the beginning.
For example, you may feel it helps you to:
- relax
- cope with stress or boredom
- get a buzz, which can change mood and feelings
- lose inhibitions and feel more confident
Some people use alcohol to:
- release built-up emotions
- cope with depression or anxiety
- forget about difficult feelings or hide them
- block emotional upset or traumatic memories
These effects are temporary. Drinking can lead to longer-term negative effects.
How feelings are linked to alcohol dependence
You may feel that your mood improves when you drink. Because of this, you might want to drink regularly.
Having an instant way to change how you feel can be powerful.
But alcohol is a depressant drug.
This means it lowers the activity of the nervous system. This is why you feel relaxed. It is also why, after drinking a lot over a short time, drowsiness or even a coma can happen.
As a depressant, alcohol can also lower your mood. This means it will not solve any emotional problems in the long term. It may even make you feel worse. Alcohol can contribute to mental health difficulties, such as depression.
Non-urgent advice: Get help with problem alcohol use
For confidential advice, freephone 1800 459 459.
Chasing the positive feeling
If you drink heavily over a period of time, the brain’s chemistry adjusts to the effects of alcohol.
You may start to rely on alcohol to relieve negative feelings or deal with problems.
Over time, you may need to drink more to feel the same effect. This is called developing a tolerance. You might also find yourself drinking to stop withdrawal symptoms.
As you drink more, the risk of becoming dependent increases.
Tips to avoid alcohol tolerance
Being at risk of becoming dependent on alcohol
You may be using alcohol to try to cope with a problem. If so, you are at risk of becoming psychologically dependent on alcohol.
You may be psychologically dependent on alcohol if:
- drinking alcohol is your normal way of coping with a difficult time
- you find it hard to socialise or enjoy yourself without alcohol
- you use alcohol to avoid being upset by negative feelings
- you use alcohol to cope with depression, anxiety or other mental health difficulties
If you are worried about your alcohol use, find out what type of drinker you are by taking our alcohol test.
How to avoid psychological dependence on alcohol
If you have an urge to drink, check if there's a link to how you are feeling.
The urge may also be triggered by the way you are feeling about something that’s happening in your life.
Do not drink when you’re in a bad state of mind. Try to find a way to feel better before you have a drink. Do some exercise or go for a walk. Or distract yourself by doing another activity you enjoy.
Face your feelings. You can try to avoid them, but they will not go away unless you find a way to deal with them.
For example, you could:
As well as getting professional support, try to:
- have more drink-free time
- build a life away from alcohol
- socialise with your friends away from the pub
- try different ways to relax
- find activities and hobbies to fill your time
All of these can help you to look after and improve your mental health.
Looking after your mental health
If you find it hard to cope without alcohol
You may need help if you:
- are struggling to cope
- are worried about your mental health
- feel you cannot manage without alcohol
- have severe physical withdrawal symptoms
You may need professional support or medicine to help you get back on track. Talk to your GP or find alcohol supports and services.