When anxiety gets intense, it’s natural to want relief fast—and for many, that means reaching for a drink. At first, it might feel like alcohol helps you calm down, quiet your thoughts, or make things feel more manageable. But that short-term comfort can come at a cost. Before long, you might notice your anxiety creeping back even worse than before.
This article breaks down how alcohol and anxiety feed into each other, how alcohol impacts your brain and body, and what real recovery looks like—especially when both issues are happening at once.
What’s The Link Between Alcohol And Anxiety?
It’s easy to think alcohol is helping anxiety—after all, it often creates a relaxing buzz. But under the surface, it’s doing the opposite.
Alcohol messes with key brain chemicals like GABA and serotonin, which help regulate mood and keep anxiety in check. At first, alcohol increases GABA, which slows your system down and creates that calming feeling. But that effect fades quickly.
As you keep drinking—or when the alcohol wears off—serotonin levels drop and your nervous system bounces back into overdrive. This rebound effect can leave you feeling more anxious, restless, and emotionally off-balance than before.
Over time, your brain struggles to regulate anxiety naturally, which can lead to more frequent or intense symptoms. A 2013 study in Alcohol Research: Current Reviews confirms that long-term alcohol use can actually increase anxiety and worsen your overall mental health.
Can Alcohol Cause Panic Attacks Or Worsen Anxiety Disorders?
Absolutely. If you’ve ever woken up after a night of drinking with racing thoughts and a pounding heart, you’ve felt it. That post-drinking dread—sometimes called “hangxiety”—is a real thing.
Alcohol floods the brain with GABA temporarily, but when it leaves your system, your nervous system can swing in the opposite direction. This overstimulation can trigger panic attacks or intense anxiety, especially if you already struggle with an anxiety disorder.
Common symptoms during this rebound include:
- Racing heartbeat
- Chest tightness or pain
- Shortness of breath
- Shaking or trembling
- Nausea or sweating
- Overwhelming fear or panic
These aren’t just hangover side effects—they’re your brain trying to find balance after alcohol threw it off. Research in The American Journal of Psychiatry shows that people often experience more panic attacks during alcohol withdrawal, reinforcing the link between drinking and worsening anxiety.
Why People With Anxiety Often Turn To Alcohol
If you’ve used alcohol to cope with anxiety, you’re far from alone. Whether it’s to calm racing thoughts, get through a social event, or just take the edge off after a tough day—alcohol can feel like a helpful tool.
It works quickly. That’s why it’s tempting. But it doesn’t actually fix anything. In fact, it can make things harder by disrupting your brain’s natural coping systems. The more you rely on it, the more your brain depends on that outside source to feel “okay.”
The good news? There are better ways to manage anxiety—ones that don’t backfire. Therapy, medication, and support groups offer lasting relief that helps you feel more like yourself again—without relying on alcohol to get there.
Treating Alcohol Addiction And Anxiety Together
To truly heal, both alcohol use and anxiety need to be treated together. When both are happening at once, it’s called a dual diagnosis—and it’s more common than people realize.
At Rock View Recovery, we understand how deeply connected these struggles can be. That’s why our residential dual-diagnosis program is built to treat both the anxiety and the alcohol use—so nothing gets overlooked.
Here’s what you can expect:
- Integrated Therapy Options: You’ll work with therapists trained in CBT, DBT, and EMDR—approaches proven to help with both anxiety and addiction.
- Medical Detox (If Needed): If withdrawal is a concern, we provide supervised detox to keep you safe and supported as your body stabilizes.
- Anxiety Management Tools: You’ll learn practical skills to handle anxiety and stress—without needing to numb out.
- Supportive, Structured Environment: You’ll be surrounded by people who get it—and who can walk with you through recovery.
- Aftercare and Alumni Support: We help you plan for life after treatment so you stay connected, even after you leave.
- Sober Living Options: For those who need a softer landing, we offer sober living spaces where you can rebuild at your own pace.
If you’ve been stuck in the cycle of drinking to cope, only to feel worse—it’s not because you’re broken. It’s because alcohol was never the right solution. With the right care, things can get better.
How Does Alcohol Affect People With Anxiety Disorders?
It might provide short-term relief, but alcohol messes with your brain chemistry and usually makes anxiety worse. Over time, it makes emotional ups and downs harder to manage and leaves you feeling even more overwhelmed.
Can Alcohol Cause Anxiety And Panic Attacks?
Yes. Especially during withdrawal or the hours after drinking, alcohol can trigger intense anxiety and even panic attacks. It over-activates your nervous system as it leaves your body, leading to symptoms like trembling, rapid heartbeat, and fear.
Can Alcohol Cause Depression And Anxiety?
Yes. Long-term or heavy drinking increases the risk of both depression and anxiety. It interferes with the brain’s natural chemical balance, making mood regulation harder—and keeping you stuck in a cycle of emotional highs and lows.
What Is The Anxiety Cycle Of Alcoholism?
It often starts with using alcohol to manage anxiety. But once the alcohol wears off, anxiety returns—sometimes worse. So you drink again, and the cycle continues. Breaking it usually requires professional help.
What Treatment Is Available For Anxiety And Alcohol Together?
Dual-diagnosis treatment addresses both issues at once. This typically includes therapy (CBT, DBT), medications if needed, detox support, and long-term recovery planning—all in a coordinated program that helps you heal fully.
Quick Tip: Alcohol Might Numb Anxiety—But It Can Also Feed It
It makes sense that you’ve reached for alcohol to calm your nerves. You were looking for relief. But in the long run, alcohol makes anxiety harder to handle. Lasting relief starts with treatment that supports both your mental health and your recovery.
Begin Your Recovery From Alcohol And Anxiety Today
The connection between alcohol and anxiety can feel overwhelming—but you’re not alone. With the right support, you can break the cycle and find real, lasting peace. You don’t have to wait for things to get worse before you ask for help.
At Rock View Recovery, our trauma-informed, dual-diagnosis program is here for people facing alcohol and anxiety disorders. Through therapy, structure, and compassion, we help you recover from the inside out.
Reach out today to start your healing journey. You deserve relief—and real freedom from the grip of anxiety and alcohol abuse.
Key Takeaways
- Alcohol may feel like a quick fix, but it often fuels anxiety over time.
- Panic and anxiety symptoms can get worse during alcohol withdrawal.
- Drinking to cope is common—but it’s not the only option.
- Dual-diagnosis treatment helps you heal both anxiety and alcohol use, together.
- You’re not alone—and you don’t have to figure it out on your own.
- Support is available, and it can change everything.