Depression is a mental health condition that affects how you think and feel. For example, you may feel very low or have little interest in most things you used to enjoy.
Depression is more than feeling unhappy or fed up for a few days. When you have depression you may feel sad for weeks or months.
How badly depression affects your daily life can depend on how severe your symptoms are.
For example, you might not be able to get out of bed for a day or days. Or you might try to carry on as normal but find no enjoyment in things that usually make you happy.
Depression symptoms, causes and treatment
How alcohol affects depression
There are many different reasons why depression happens. For example, it may be linked to your family history or a trauma.
Regular heavy drinking can contribute to depression.
Alcohol is a depressant. This means it disrupts the balance of chemicals in your brain, such as serotonin and dopamine.
Serotonin and dopamine regulate your mood and emotions. They usually make you feel temporarily relaxed and happy while you are drinking. But when the effects wear off, you may feel low or anxious.
This can lead you to drinking more alcohol, increasing your risk of depression.
Feeling down after drinking too much alcohol
Using alcohol to cope
Just as regular drinking can lead to depression, someone with depression is more likely to drink too much. They may use alcohol as a way to cope with symptoms.
But this can also lead to a cycle of low mood followed by drinking.
Cycles of alcohol and low mood
If you are on a cycle involving alcohol and low mood, your tolerance for alcohol can increase. This means you need more alcohol to get the same feelings. This can lead to alcohol dependence.
Tips to avoid alcohol tolerance
How alcohol affects your mental health
Take the test to check your alcohol use
Find out what type of drinker you are by taking our alcohol test.
Changing your drinking
Drinking alcohol can be linked to low mood. But there are often other causes. Cutting down or stopping drinking can give you a chance to deal with other causes of low mood.
When you cut down or stop drinking you may notice an improvement in your mood within weeks.
You may also notice other health benefits and improved relationships with friends and family.
Talk to your GP if you are worried about your drinking and want to stop. They can help you get support if you need it.
How to cut down or stop drinking alcohol
Non-urgent advice: Get help with problem alcohol use
For confidential advice, freephone 1800 459 459.
Tackle depression and lift your mood
Taking little steps to boost your mental health can help you to feel better.
Tell someone you trust how you feel. It can be a great relief to share your feelings. If you feel more comfortable talking in private, there are helplines you can call.
Contact the Samaritans on:
Freephone 116 123
Email: jo@samaritans.ie
Your GP can give you information about support services.
They may recommend:
- a self-help group
- talk therapy, such as counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
Mental health supports and services
How to look after your mental health
Treating alcohol dependence and depression
Sometimes you will need treatment for both alcohol dependence and depression. You may be treated for both at the same time, but this does not always happen.
Treatment for alcohol dependence may involve:
- creating a treatment plan with a healthcare professional
- detoxification (clearing alcohol from your body)
- talking therapy, such as counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
- medicines
- continued support
How your depression is treated will depend on your symptoms and how severe they are.
Sometimes you will have combination therapy, which includes medicine and talking therapies.