Anxiety and alcoholism are commonly connected. The voice of anxiety is loud and impossible to ignore, often prompting the urge to drink and quiet the noise – in turn, this can become a co-occurring disorder.
Using an integrated approach to treatment can help people identify their triggers and develop a personal wellness plan for sobriety. When people do decide to seek recovery, they can learn about coping skills like self-care, meditation, fitness, spending time in nature and exploring new hobbies. As people are immersed in a treatment environment, they can start to understand why they may turn to alcohol to self-soothe and discover healthier ways to find inner peace.
Learn more about the connection between alcohol and anxiety and how both disorders can be treated at the same time.
First, What Is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a mental health disorder affecting nearly 30% of the population. At some point in their lives, most people experience nervousness over public speaking, important events, social gatherings, flying, performing and more. While these situations can be classified as occasional anxiety, a medical diagnosis of an anxiety disorder is characterized by emotional, physical and behavioral indicators that greatly interfere with daily life.
Types of Anxiety Disorders
Impending feelings of doom, uncontrollable worry, overwhelm, fatigue and physical sensations similar to a heart attack that intensify in certain situations are common with an anxiety disorder. These symptoms provoke avoidance of situations that trigger anxiety. Examples include making and keeping appointments, socializing, and organizing or attending group functions.
Types of anxiety disorders include:
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by chronic worrying over many different things on a daily basis.
- Social anxiety disorder is characterized by a persistent fear of being judged or disliked that leads to self-isolation protection from rejection.
- Separation anxiety is characterized by a fear of being away from someone they have a strong emotional bond with, such as a parent or spouse.
- Agoraphobia is characterized by a fear and avoidance of places and situations with the possibility of being trapped, such as crowded public areas.
- Panic disorder involves experiencing frequent panic attacks, which are the body’s intense reaction to the brain perceiving danger. They are brought on by sensory triggers that are reminiscent of a situation when a threat was present
What is Alcoholism?
Alcoholism (also known as alcohol use disorder) is an addiction affecting 28 million people. Alcoholism involves a physical and psychological reliance on alcohol. The body feels strong cravings for alcohol when the brain encounters certain triggers, leading to alcohol consumption to relieve the uncomfortable symptoms caused by the trigger. A trigger is a scent, sound, sight, taste or texture that brings back a memory.
As alcohol is consumed more frequently, the physical tolerance increases, and more alcohol is needed to feel the desired effects of relaxation, confidence, numbing physical and emotional pain, quieting anxious thoughts and so forth. When consistent alcohol use increases despite negative physical and/or social consequences it is considered alcoholism.
The Link Between Anxiety and Alcoholism
The root causes, symptoms and effects of anxiety and alcoholism are intertwined. People with anxiety may turn to alcohol believing it will help them relieve stress, calm down and problem-solve. In reality, alcohol intensifies anxiety and stress. An example is waking up in the middle of the night when alcohol has worn off with racing thoughts, regrets and overanalyzing actions.
A harmful loop is formed with worrying, drinking to stop worrying, then worrying more because of the way alcohol works chemically in the brain. Next comes acting on that worry and being filled with regret when the alcohol wears off. Then, the cycle starts all over again.
Social, environmental, cultural and developmental influences contribute to the presence of anxiety and alcohol use disorders. There is also a potential genetic predisposition to developing co-occurring disorders. Watching a family member or role model drink alcohol to self-medicate can lead an impressionable youth to follow suit. Witnessing or experiencing personal trauma can lead to the development of alcoholism to self-soothe.
Anxiety can cause sleep deprivation, isolation from friends and family, agitation, avoidance of responsibilities, difficulty with decision-making, poor performance, low motivation and low self-esteem. Similarly, habitual drinking can cause panic attacks, sleep disturbances, dehydration, mood instability, aggression, poor performance, exhaustion, paranoia and irrational fears. Anxiety and alcohol fuel each other in a perpetual cycle that is hard to break without professional help.
Treatment for Anxiety and Alcoholism
Depending on the severity of symptoms, patients may choose partial hospitalization, residential or intensive outpatient treatment. Common therapeutic interventions for anxiety and alcohol use disorders are outlined below.
Medical detox
Withdrawal from alcohol can cause serious physical symptoms. The following may occur if detox is not safely handled in a professional setting.
- Shaking
- Digestive issues
- Headaches
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Disturbing repetitive thoughts
- Hallucinations
- Depression
- Lapses in judgement
- Seizures
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Organ damage
- Delirium tremens
- Death
Monitored detoxification can provide a safer, more comfortable experience. Medication may be used to wean the body from alcohol and reduce withdrawal side effects.
Medication management
Appropriate medications can be implemented if the patient is not already on one. If they are currently taking a prescribed medication, the dosage and type can be reviewed to see if it’s the best fit or needs to be altered. The correct dosage for each individual will be adjusted as needed after careful discussion of symptoms, improvements and side effects. Medications that may be part of a treatment plan are below.
Naltrexone
This short-term medication reduces alcohol cravings and heavy drinking by blocking opioid receptors so that the body does not feel the euphoric effects of alcohol.
Acamprosate
This non-habit forming medication lessens withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia and restlessness. It also rebalances the brain’s chemistry, which has been negatively affected by prolonged alcohol use, to help maintain long-term sobriety once detox is complete.
Disulfiram
This short-term medication is used to help patients wean off of alcohol And should only be used under direct supervision. It discourages drinking by causing a reaction if even a small amount of alcohol is consumed. Unpleasant side-effects include headaches, nausea, flushing, dizziness and even heart palpitations. Alcohol should be avoided completely while taking this drug.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
SSRIs such as Celexa, Lexapro and Prozac are prescribed to calm anxiety and improve mood. SSRIs should not be combined with alcohol because reactions like slowed breathing, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea can occur.
Therapy
Individual talk therapy offers one-on-one attention. Motivational interviewing increases self-trust and decision-making skills. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps patients change the narrative around their behavior. Group therapy connects patients who are working through an anxiety and alcohol use disorder to remind them they are not alone in how they think, feel and act. Family therapy focuses on the needs of family members and teaches them how to support their loved ones who are struggling with an anxiety and alcohol use disorder.
Creativity
Creativity encourages growth and provides a fun way to pass the time without drinking. Revisiting a past hobby and exploring new interests promoted newfound confidence. Crafts like crocheting, 3D printing and painting require the mind to focus on the task at hand rather than spiraling into thoughts of anxiety and drinking.
Self-care
Self-care is the act of doing something to nurture the body, mind and spirit. Personal wellness can feel overwhelming when under the weight of a mental health disorder. Nourishing oneself does not have to be time-consuming or expensive. It is a way to meet personal needs without consuming substances.
At Discovery Addiction Services, we gently remind patients to make time for themselves. Physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and social well-being are instrumental in recovery. The following are examples of ways to care for the self:
Mindfulness and meditation
Just five minutes of meditation can promote positive feelings, increase focus and boost self-esteem. Mindfulness, or “what you say when you talk to yourself,” is a powerful way to adjust attitude and actions. Both of these tools aid in maintaining recovery.
Routine
Creating a routine and sticking to it is one of the best ways to stay focused throughout the day. Completing a to-do list for the day by breaking projects down into smaller, more manageable tasks increases productivity. An example might be waking up with a cup of tea outside in nature followed by ten minutes of journaling. Going to work followed by a brief sober socialization with coworkers or a phone call with a trusted friend to vent can provide stress relief after the long day.
Fitness
Taking yoga, dance, cycling, boxing or other exercise class helps release feel-good endorphins while in the company of goal-oriented people. Running, swimming and hiking in nature are other ways to break a sweat and get a mood boost. Movement is an excellent stress-reliever that improves sleep and quiets the mind.
Eating well
Eating at least three well-balanced meals and two snacks comprised of whole foods gives the body sustainable energy and satisfies hunger. The vitamins and essential nutrients packed into superfoods (like Omega-3 fatty acids) are brain fuel. Avoiding caffeine, sugar and processed foods and eating at regularly scheduled times keeps blood sugar from spiking and diving. All of these aspects work together to curb cravings and stabilize mood.
Help Is Always Available
Discovery Addiction Services is here and ready to help. We use evidence-based research to incorporate a unique technique that measures 27 wellness indicators before, during and after treatment. We guide patients on their journey of self-discovery and fulfillment in a supportive, nonjudgemental environment. We empower them to develop strong coping skills that are reliable in the real world.
If you or someone close to you are experiencing any of the above signs of anxiety and an alcohol use disorder, please don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our caring counselors today. Together, we can find the best path to healing with Discovery Addiction Services.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why do anxiety and alcohol use often occur together?
Anxiety can make alcohol feel like a quick way to cope, while alcohol changes brain chemistry in ways that intensify anxiety over time. This cycle makes the two conditions reinforce each other, which is why treating them together is so important.
Can you treat anxiety without addressing alcohol use?
Treating anxiety alone is rarely effective if alcohol use is still present. Alcohol can interfere with therapy progress, worsen symptoms, and reduce the effectiveness of medications. Integrated treatment leads to better outcomes.
What does integrated treatment look like?
Programs often combine therapy, medical support, and skills-based interventions. Approaches like CBT, motivational interviewing, and trauma‑informed care help people understand triggers, build coping strategies, and reduce reliance on alcohol.
Are medications safe to use when someone is drinking?
Some medications for anxiety or alcohol use disorder can be used safely, while others cannot. A clinician evaluates each person’s health, symptoms, and drinking patterns to determine what’s appropriate.
What types of therapy help with both conditions?
Evidence‑based therapies like CBT, DBT, exposure therapy, and mindfulness‑based approaches can reduce anxiety while supporting alcohol recovery. Many programs also include family therapy and relapse‑prevention planning.
Is online treatment effective for co‑occurring anxiety and alcohol use?
Yes. Online programs can provide structured therapy, medical oversight, and ongoing support, making treatment more accessible and consistent—especially for people balancing work, family, or transportation challenges.