Angry Drunks: Unraveling the Psychology Behind Their Behavior
The early months of sobriety can be an emotional rollercoaster filled with many highs and lows; the relationship between alcoholism and anger is a complicated one. As https://ecosoberhouse.com/ if that wasn’t complex enough, anger can also result from inherited tendencies or brain chemistry. Furthermore, underlying mental health conditions might influence your trend towards angry outbursts.
Psychological “Baggage” and Social Influence
Understanding these factors is key to recognizing and addressing alcohol-induced aggression. Mental state can why are alcoholics angry affect decision-making around alcohol consumption. Those in a celebratory mood might drink more freely, while those feeling down might drink to cope with negative emotions. Group dynamics can amplify certain personality traits when drinking. Some individuals may become more outgoing or boisterous in an attempt to fit in or stand out among their peers. Peer pressure can encourage individuals to drink more than they normally would, potentially leading to excessive intoxication and altered behavior.
Addiction, Addiction Treatment and Recovery in Kentucky
This abrupt and opposing personality shift can be immensely disruptive and lead to violence and ruined relationships. Identifying this behavior can also be an indication that you have a problem with alcohol, even if the amount of the alcohol is minimal. The exact amount of alcohol that will initiate aggression is unknown and varies from person to person.
Step Recovery Focus
It’s common for alcohol and anger to be stereotypically lumped together, but many people labeled “angry” while drinking may actually be experiencing aggression or hostility. It has been proven that drinking makes most people more impulsive. First, certain neurotransmitter receptors can make people feel more relaxed or sedated, which signals the release of increased levels of the chemical dopamine. With an influx of dopamine, the brain’s reward center becomes activated, making people more open to doing things that they might not do when sober. While not all individuals acting up at a bar have that particular gene mutation, this biological response could explain their impulsive behavior as well.
- The best decision you can make is often the most difficult because it may involve putting your life, your family and your career on hold.
- Baseline characteristics can contribute to why some drinkers become angry, aggressive, or mean when they drink alcohol.
- The co-treatment of alcohol recovery and anger management can be a very individualized process that may change according to your needs.
Addiction, Treatment and Recovery in Tennessee
Alcohol use disorder, or AUD, is not only detrimental marijuana addiction to the individual struggling with their drinking. AUD affects everyone around them, from loved ones to colleagues to friends. In fact, drinking too much can not only cause lasting physical damage but can leave behind deep emotional scars, too.
Alcohol Myopia and Aggression
If you are still having issues controlling your aggressive behavior while drinking, consider reaching out for help and the healing of Boardwalk Recovery Center. “Trait anger” refers to a person’s general tendency to experience chronic anger over time. An angry person tends to seek out stimuli that activate feelings of anger. This may explain why they are angry more often and act more aggressively than someone who does not have this personality trait.
Educate friends about alcohol’s effects and potential consequences. Recognize signs of alcohol abuse and encourage seeking help when needed. Alcohol consumption can significantly alter an individual’s behavior and personality traits. Research has identified distinct patterns in how people’s personalities change when intoxicated, influenced by both genetic factors and baseline personality characteristics. Many addiction treatment programs also provide Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, which helps individuals process negative habits and behaviors and develop more positive, healthier alternatives. When led by a skilled therapist with a deep understanding of an individual’s background and experiences, CBT may be effective in helping to develop calming habits and other anger-reduction techniques.
