That’s because it’s not always easy to know the sky-high caffeine levels hidden in ingredients like guarana. These beverages often have loads of sugar or artificial sweeteners, too. If you’re experiencing challenges with drugs, alcohol or mental health and you’d like some extra support, we’re here for you. Mental health and wellbeing do tend to improve when you’re not consuming alcohol, so cutting down or stopping drinking is a great way to try and ease does drinking make your depression worse your symptoms.
How to get support
“In the span of a one-hour run, I’m able to work through any intrusive thoughts or negative feelings,” he says. Patrick D’Alessandro has been sober since August of 2016, after pursuing treatment at Gateway Foundation — where he now works as a recovery coach. “I couldn’t justify running from my depression and anxiety anymore,” he says. “Initially, it seemed like a magic potion — the cure for my depression,” he says.
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Check the ingredients or, better yet, make your dressing at home from scratch. Whatever medicine you’re taking, stop drinking alcohol and speak to your doctor if you feel unwell, feel unexpectedly drunk, or have any other side effects. If you’re taking these medicines, don’t drink any alcohol at all.
The depression and alcohol connection
He participated in several treatment programs at his family’s urging, but none of them helped. Gillian Tietz, host of the Sober Powered podcast, began feeling depressed around 10 years old when she faced bullying in school. In addition to a low mood, Tietz often experienced extreme fatigue, apathy, and difficulty focusing. Kitley ultimately decided to detail her experiences with drinking and depression in her autobiography, “MY self.” Once she began feeling pangs of shame while drinking heavily after work, she decided to go back to AA.
- But it does enough that folks seeking relief from a variety of depressive pains can theoretically find something that appeals to them at the end of a shot or two.
- At age 40, Mayfield stopped drinking again — but this time, he started therapy to unpack the underlying issues driving his depression and desire to drink.
- It can be tempting to drink if you’re feeling unhappy, but there’s a better solution out there.
- Too much of the caffeine that many sodas have can be bad for anxiety, too.
If you’re concerned alcohol has become your go-to method of managing negative feelings like depression, there’s no shame in reaching out for support. When other factors beyond alcohol play into your mood, however, feelings of depression might persist even after your hangover improves. When you have healthy habits in place to cope with unwanted feelings, you’ll probably find it easier to use these strategies to push back against distressing emotions you might experience while drinking. Responsible drinking doesn’t just refer to staying off the road.