I didn’t know about depression and alcohol before. I always thought that the mental condition was just normal. I didn’t understand the purpose of liquor when coping with depression. Others became alcoholics because of depression and anxiety. We see mentally unstable students because of academics. Some tried alcohol and beer because of school depression. They believed that alcohol and beer were the solution to their depression. Depression and anxiety are killing them. But being an alcoholic won’t solve depression and anxiety. It was actually like my story about my mental health condition and my alcoholic journey.

I used to have a best friend named Jack, and we went a long way back. We first met in college during a challenging depression, and our friendship developed naturally. It was one late and unsettling night when I heard so many disturbing voices and thoughts because of my mental health condition. I sought solace and distraction; a nearby supermarket seemed like a plausible retreat. Amid the quiet aisles, it was the alcohol section that brought me face-to-face with Jack. I knew it was not the healthiest choice, and yet, at that vulnerable moment, I felt an instant connection and feelings with him over a shared bottle. This was merely a temporary escape from the inner turmoil, and still, it marked the beginning of our shared journey.

Jack introduced me to my poison of choice in that phase of depression – whiskey. I hesitated to drink because I had never indulged in alcohol before. Also, my mother used to say that drunkards go to hell, an opinion formed considering my biological father was one, and he never did anything good for the family. However, Jack, my new companion in this dance with alcohol and depression, was slightly more persuasive than I had thought. Against my better judgment, I allowed the allure of his persuasion and the whiskey to draw me in, so I sipped.

The first thing I noticed was the taste of licorice in my mouth. I had always loved licorice; I would never say no to Twizzlers or Red Vines, even though many put them against each other. Licorice is licorice, thank you very much. I also got a hint of vanilla, toffee, nuts, and woodsy. I found out later in everyday life that the woodsy flavor came from oak, the type of wood that typical barrels for more alcohol storage were made of.

Anyway, I liked the taste of whiskey, so Jack said, “Drink more.” I did. A sip turned into a gulp; a gulp turned into a guzzle. The next day, I would get a headache, but Jack would advise me to drink my pain away as treatment.

Leaving College And Adulting Journey

When I left college, I moved to another state and began to lose contact with my college friends. I was sad, but I told myself, “As long as Jack’s with me, I’ll be fine.”

I thought college prepared me for adult life, but I eventually realized how challenging it was to become one. After all, finding a stable one was already tricky and difficult. 

I was not the only fresh grad from an Ivy League school – there were tens of thousands of us, and many had more connections than me. I soon got a job as a junior marketing exec at an agency. Still, my struggles were far from over since I had to maintain an excellent credit score, pay monthly rent, and get a car on a mortgage. Not to mention, there were food, electricity, water, and other miscellaneous bills that I figured would never go away. 

While my salary could cover all my expenses, the depression, anxiety, and physical toll I experienced after six months became almost unbearable. In other words, I developed symptoms of depression. Feeling lost, I turned to my best friend, Jack, again. We would binge drink together every night until I was on the edge of getting drunk. I almost saw myself being an alcoholic person because of being depressed. But then, more work piled up, and I messed up some. I stopped caring about hangovers and started drinking more alcohol, even in the middle of the day.

And What Happened?

Jack had become a crutch for me. I used him to escape reality and that I was struggling to make it. I was happy to forget the things that made me depressed, even for just a few hours. It was a way to numb the pain of my depression and anxiety.

But Jack was a double-edged sword. As I drank more and more alcohol, I became more and more dependent on him. I would drink alcohol every night and even in the middle of the day. I was no longer controlling my binge drinking, which had become an addiction.

My depression began to get worse and worse. I started to feel like I was no longer in control of my life. I had gone from being a bright, ambitious college student to a reckless, jobless alcoholic. I felt like I had no hope and was destined to fail in significant life choices, along with my depression.

I was in such a dark place. I had no one to turn to, no one to talk to. I was so ashamed of who I had become that I was too embarrassed and depressed to tell anyone about my situation. I felt like I was all alone and lonely, and I had no one to help me, which led to major depression.

I was collapsing in on myself and had no idea what to do. I was desperate for help, and I was so desperate that I decided to seek professional help. I made an appointment with a therapist, and for the first time in a long time, I opened up and told him the truth during cognitive behavioral therapy.

Seeking And Getting Help

At first, I was embarrassed and ashamed to tell him my story, but I eventually realized that I was not alone and that there was help. I was relieved that I wasn’t the only one going through this depression.

After talking to my therapist and getting his help, I started my journey toward recovery. I learned to care for my body and mind and focus on my goals and dreams. I was able to start living a life where I was in control.

It was a long and challenging journey, but with the help of my therapist and my family and friends’ support, I overcame my alcohol addiction and depression. I was able to build a new life for myself, and now I am a successful business owner with a happy and healthy family.

Moral Lesson

My story proves that no matter how dark and hopeless things may seem, there is always hope and help. If you are struggling with alcohol addiction, depression, or other mental health problems, please seek help. There is nothing to be ashamed of, and you are not alone. With the right help and support, you can overcome obstacles and depression and start living a happy and fulfilling life.

How Does Alcohol Affect Depression?

Alcohol and depression are related. Drinking heavy alcohol from time to time is okay, and this won’t make you an alcoholic. Few alcohol-free weeks can be relaxing for many people, and we all deserve a break, especially after a very stressful week. However, when taken in excessive amounts, alcohol use can slow down our brain’s functions and central nervous system by affecting our brain’s chemical levels. This leads you to be alcoholic and depressed. Alcohol dependence could also affect the part of our brain chemistry that controls inhibition. This is why we are calmer and less anxious, even if we just had a drink.

Why Does Alcohol Cause Anxiety And Depression?

General psychiatry experts believe that both depression and anxiety with panic attacks are severe mental illnesses that can cause many different issues for a person. Different factors cause these mental illnesses, but one of these factors is alcohol abuse. Drinking on occasion can be good. It keeps us relaxed, and it elevates our mood. However, too much alcohol can alter our brain chemicals, slowing our brain’s ability to function well. This leads to some brain regions slowly turning to depression or anxiety.

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How Does Liquor Affect Mood?

We usually on drink-free days when we either want to elevate our negative mood or when we want to promote our positive mood. We drink because we want to do something about our emotions, as if alcohol has become a coping mechanism. Studies have provided strong evidence that when we consume alcohol, we tend to feel more emotions than usual. The effect of alcohol on a person’s mood will depend on their age, education, gender, and alcohol dependency. People generally tend to be more emotional or sometimes more aggressive when they drink.

Why Do Depressed People Turn to Alcohol?

When a person is depressed, they tend to look for ways to cope with their depression differently. Unfortunately, people have chosen to use alcohol to cope, which has led to many more issues. Alcohol abuse can lead to the severity of depression because alcohol can alter our brain’s chemical levels. This causes certain brain areas to malfunction, causing depression to develop or become more severe. We indeed become more relaxed with depression. However, it is not a good way to cope.

Does Alcohol Kill Brain Cells?

No, alcohol does not kill your brain cells, no matter how dependent you are. That’s according to clinical and experimental research of the National Institute. However, what it does is damage your dendrites or your neurons. This causes difficulty in delivering messages from one dendrite to another. This difficulty in relaying messages causes an issue with your central nervous system and other bodily functions. So, ensure that even when you drink alcohol, drink responsibly. This might save your life.

Is Drinking Alone A Bad Sign?

Being alone can be a good thing. This could be a time to reflect and evaluate yourself and how to improve in life. Doing activities and hobbies on your own could be a way of self-care. Drinking alone could be a pastime that you would do to relax after a long day or a stressful week. However, when drinking alone becomes an issue where you start to abuse alcohol, it becomes a bad sign. So make sure to drink moderately, and if ever you are going through things and using alcohol as a coping mechanism, try and seek help. Drinking will only make things worse.

Can An AA Member Drink Beer?

Being in a support group, the people around you ensure you do not go back to your old addicted ways. This includes making sure that you do not take any alcohol or substance abuse habit that will push you over the edge. This helps avoid relapses, and this support system can help you cope with stress and highly emotional situations in a healthier way. Drinking that alcohol and beer could undo years of hard work, which is why AA members police each other to make sure this does not happen.

Does Daily Drinking Make You Alcoholic?

The occasional drink or two would not hurt. It helps you de-stress, and it can keep you relaxed. Overall, this does not present itself as a health risk. However, once it becomes a daily activity, it can become a factor for your health to decline, including your physical and mental health. An increase in alcohol consumption can be a progression of your mental health issues, and it may be time for you to evaluate your drinking habits. Experts recommend a certain amount of alcohol per day, and this does not have much of an effect on your health. Still, once it goes beyond that suggested amount, it now becomes an issue. Be sure to watch your intake and know when it becomes too much.

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Why Depressed People Drink Alcohol?

Two things might answer this: first, people use alcohol to numb their emotions. When someone is sad or lonely, they use alcohol and beer to become desensitized to their pains, hoping to elevate their mood. Second, they use alcohol as a coping mechanism. Either way, the result is to forget and hopefully be in a better mood.

Why Do I Enjoy Drinking Alcohol?

Drinking can be an enjoyable pastime as it helps us de-stress, relax, and elevate our moods. This way, we feel more energized, making us more confident to approach things differently. This is quite normal for many people, which is why many people turn to alcohol and beer. Unfortunately, some have abused it to the point where it is no longer healthy for them.

How Does Someone Become Alcoholic?

A person becomes an alcoholic when they start to drink more than usual, and they begin to depend on alcohol for their happiness or to cope with their emotions. Some signs of a person being alcoholic are they are irritable when they are not drinking, habitually drinking alone, lying about their alcohol misuse and habits, and they may constantly blackout and lose their memory.

How Can I Quit Alcohol?

What you can do is first commit to quitting. You have to fully understand and accept that drinking has become so unhealthy that it is now becoming harmful. From here, seek support groups to help you through this process, or you can check yourself into a mental facility. Either way, your goal is to seek help because this will be a complicated process, and you will need the support of the people around you and those who understand what you are going through.

What Are The Signs Of Liver Damage Due To Alcohol?

This could be different for some people, so you must regularly visit and consult with a doctor. Still, generally, the symptoms are: abdominal pain, jaundice or yellowing of the skin, abdominal tenderness, dry mouth, increased thirst, fatigue, loss of appetite, your hands and feet may turn red, and your skin may become abnormally dark or light.

What Happens If You Give Up Alcohol For A Month?

Over the few weeks you would give up alcohol, there could be different outcomes per week, which your body would be thanking you for. During the first week, your sleeping pattern becomes better. In week two, you lose your acid reflux. For week three, your blood pressure starts to reduce, and finally, for week four, your skin looks better, and your liver function returns to normal. Hopefully, by the end of that month, you will lose interest in drinking altogether.

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Why Should You Stop Drinking Alcohol?

The best reason for this is so you start to become healthier again. Drinking can cause many health issues and problems, from physical to mental health. Too much alcohol can cause your liver to fail, and it might just kill you. Another reason is so you could become a better example for your kids and family members. Alcohol can be destructive; you do not want your kids to see you that way. Finally, it will change your life for the better.

Is There A Connection Between Being Depressed And Alcoholic?

Yes, there is a connection between depression and alcohol use. People with depression are more likely to use alcohol as a form of self-medication or coping, sometimes leading to alcohol abuse or dependency. Additionally, excessive alcohol consumption can contribute to the development or exacerbation of depressive disorder symptoms.

What Does Alcohol Do To A Depressed Person?

While alcohol can temporarily provide feelings of relaxation or relief from emotional pain for some people, it is a depressant that can ultimately worsen depression. Alcohol disrupts the balance of neurotransmitters in the brain, including those related to mood regulation. Over time, alcohol use can lead to increased feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and other depressive symptoms.

How Does Alcohol Affect Mental Health?

Alcohol can have a detrimental effect on mental health. Beyond its potential to worsen or trigger depression, it can also contribute to other mental health conditions, including anxiety and substance use disorders. Prolonged and heavy drinking can impair cognitive functioning and exacerbate emotional distress.

Is Alcohol A Coping Mechanism For Depression?

Some individuals with depression may turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism to temporarily alleviate emotional pain or numb their feelings. However, this is not a healthy or effective long-term coping strategy. Alcohol is not a solution for depression and can lead to a cycle of worsening mental health and increased alcohol dependency.

What Comes First: Depression Or Alcoholism?

The relationship between depression and alcoholism can vary from person to person. In some cases, depression precedes alcoholism, with individuals using alcohol to self-medicate their depressive symptoms. In other cases, excessive alcohol use can lead to depressive symptoms. The two conditions can reinforce each other, creating a challenging cycle to break.

It’s crucial for individuals struggling with depression and alcohol use to seek help from mental health professionals who can provide appropriate treatment and support. Treating both conditions simultaneously is often necessary for a successful recovery. If you or someone you know is dealing with these issues, contact a healthcare provider or a mental health specialist for guidance and treatment options.

Final Thoughts

I felt the need to stop drinking when I was in the back of a police car one morning. Apparently, I got so drunk at the park that I passed out there, and the local joggers found me but didn’t want to wake me up, so they called 911. They eventually let me go when I assured them that I was merely a drunk lady who posed no threat to others. Still, I made sure to part ways with my best friend, Jack, before getting mental help from the psychological symptoms.