Alcohol-Related Aggression Social and Neurobiological Factors PMC

Alcohol is a sedative and a depressant that affects the central nervous system. Nicole Lee works as a paid consultant in the public, private and not for profit alcohol and other drug sector and to commonwealth and state governments. She has previously been awarded grants by the state and federal government, NHMRC and other public funding bodies for alcohol and other drug research.

Studies into the development of alcohol-related violence over time in problem drinkers have shown that the occurrence of aggression is increased following heavy, acute alcohol consumption. Two studies in prison inmates have reported that acute alcohol consumption occurring in the context of arrest correlated with an increased likelihood of violent offenses (12, 13). Unlike acute alcohol intoxication, however, chronic drinking behavior and drinking patterns in the 12 months before the offense did not differ between violent and non-violent criminals. Acute episodes of high alcohol consumption therefore seem to favor aggressive behavior more strongly than chronic alcohol consumption (15, 16). Thus it seems that more frequent severe, acute intoxication makes a decisive contribution to the high prevalence of alcohol-related aggression in alcohol-dependent individuals.

Seek Anger Management Support Groups

Abuse should not be tolerated, and safe housing must be provided. If an angry alcoholic has abused a loved one, they should not have access to the family. They would need to complete rehab and therapy, even amend legal problems, before being allowed to see them again. Social learning, e.g. experiences with friends or relatives who exhibit aggressive behavior under the influence of alcohol, plays a key role in the onset of alcohol-related aggression. Once you have graduated from this program, you can move on to our outpatient addiction treatment program. We also offer aftercare and 12-step meetings to help you continue to receive the support you need and avoid relapse.

• Alcohol fundamentally changes the functioning and chemical structure of the brain.
• If this isn’t your first time considering this, you should know it is the first sign of a possible drinking problem.
• Let’s talk about how alcohol changes our personality and behavior next.
• In a support group, you can meet like-minded individuals who can help make recovery that much easier.
• By consistently becoming angry or belligerent when you drink, you put yourself and others at risk.

Suppressed anger or negative emotions may also explain why people with mental illnesses or poor mental health turn to drugs or drinking to self-cope. Because alcohol can relax you when consumed in large doses, it’s the perfect temporary antidote for someone who’s looking for an immediate release from life’s stressors. However, alcohol is addictive, and it eventually does more physical and psychological harm than good. Alcohol treatment is usually the best way for people who have become dependent on drinking to get sober safely. People who suppress their thoughts and anger when sober are more inclined to experience anger when drinking.

Alcohol and Depression

Read our review of the best online therapy options to find the right fit for you. Drinking alcohol can have serious consequences if you’re being treated for anxiety. Having a drink might seem like a good way to ease anxiety, but you may be doing more harm than good. “In vino veritas” (in alcoholic rage syndrome wine there is truth) is a saying that suggests that when drinking we are more likely to reveal our true selves. While that’s not completely accurate, the changes in mood when someone is drinking often reflect underlying personal styles that become less regulated with alcohol on board.

If you believe a particular type of drink makes you angry, sad or sexed up, then it is more likely to. These people can help you understand your relationship with alcohol in a clearer light and support you as you work on quitting or improving that relationship. If you cringe the following day because you immediately realize you overreacted or misinterpreted things when drinking, that’s a sign of a different issue.

Why Does Alcohol Make Me Angry?

The best way to approach an anger problem is through the help of a support group or a clinically trained counselor at an alcohol rehab center. These groups will help you healthily express your feelings and provide tools to help you deal with your anger. You can look online to find anger support groups in your area, or if you feel that your drinking is a problem, you can also visit any Alcoholics Anonymous group nearby. Drinking lowers inhibitions and causes us to engage in less-than-stellar behavior. “Dry drunk” is when you engage in this behavior without drinking.

We help addicts every day by customizing treatment plans around the needs of our patients. Landmark will walk you through detoxing your body from alcohol and get you back on the right track. Contact Landmark Recovery today for more information about our detox, outpatient, and alcohol rehab inpatient services. Another study published in 2011 showed that those who focus more on the present than the future were generally more aggressive and had difficulty considering the consequences of their actions.

Why Does Alcohol Make People Angry?

Alcohol also disrupts your serotonin levels, which can disrupt your mood regulation. People who have lower-than-normal levels of serotonin tend to be more violent. Studies have suggested that those who suppress their thoughts and anger when they are sober and more inclined to be angry and aggressive drinkers. These individuals may be shyer by nature and may also struggle with anxiety or fear. It’s important that these individuals refrain from drinking excessively and also avoid binge drinking as these are both a recipe for aggressive behavior.

Some of the biological factors that contribute to alcoholism may also play a role in increasing the risk of intimate partner violence. Such factors including head injury, neurochemistry, physiological reactivity, metabolism, and genetics. People who tend to ignore the future consequences of their behavior, or score low on the Consideration of Future Consequences (CFC) scale, have been found to display more aggression. This is heightened when consuming alcohol, according to a 2012 study. Alcohol impairs cognitive function, which means it is more difficult to problem-solve, control anger, and make good decisions when drinking. Decreased cognitive function also means it’s more likely for you to misread a situation and overreact.

Angry Drunk = Sudden Aggression and Violence

That trait is the ability to consider the future consequences of current actions. But people without that trait don’t get any more aggressive when drunk than they would when they’re sober. In a 2017 report, researchers shared their findings of the relationship between alcohol and dating violence. The study included 67 undergraduate men who were currently dating someone.