It is well documented that alcohol dependence and anxiety disorder co-occur at rates as high as 50 percent. Medical News Today has reported that their could be implications for the treatment approach of those who suffer from both anxiety and alcohol issues. The study, which was published in the journal, Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, found that alcoholics who suffer from anxiety disorders are at “significantly greater risk for relapse within four months of leaving initial treatment.” “This finding suggests that medical and psychiatric professionals need to provide additional resources for these patients during this high risk period” (Anxiety Disorders could Complicate Alcohol Treatment).
Another study by the University Of Pittsburgh School Of Medicine,
which focused on teenagers with alcohol use and anxiety disorders
showed serious physical consequences to the youth, including
significant liver injury. In one of the studies most significant
findings, researchers found that many of the teens physical complaints
were psychosomatic. They did this by looking at negative emotionality
in an attempt to ascertain how much of an effect anxiety and depression
has on alcohol abuse issues.Teens with alcohol and anxiety disorders
reported symptoms of various health problems, which included headaches,
chest discomfort, stomach complaints, breathing difficulties, and sleep
interruptions.
Heavy alcohol use has increasingly been linked to
co-occurrence of psychiatric disorders. Interestingly, females who
drink heavily are twice as likely to have a psychiatric disorder as
males. Co-occurrence of alcohol use disorders with psychiatric
disorders, in particular with depression and anxiety, has been
demonstrated by a number of clinical researchers. There is a link
between alcohol abuse and depression, partly due to the depressive
quality in alcohol. There is also some evidence of a dose-response
relationship; heavy drinkers are more likely to be diagnosed with
psychiatric disorders than are moderate drinkers.
One reason that people with anxiety disorders use
alcohol is for the calming, medicinal effect. Alcohol may function as a
stress reliever and thus play a role in reducing psychiatric symptoms.
Other research data suggests a relationship between drinking pattern
and psychiatric disorder or impaired mental functioning, suggesting a
buffering effect of moderate alcohol consumption. In general, heavy
alcohol consumption worsens psychiatric conditions, especially over an
extended period of time.
Knowledge of the rates of co-occurring psychiatric
disorders among at-risk drinkers may have important implications for
future screening procedures and intervention strategies, as well as for
public health prevention efforts (Psychiatric Disorders among at-risk
consumers of Alcohol in the General Population).
Some patients say that drinking is a solution for
their anxiety. Those who use alcohol as a coping mechanism for anxiety
tend to become heavy, problem drinkers. Eventually the very substance
they use to calm them down begins to have the reverse effect and the
anxiety becomes worse than ever. Stating that you drink to cope with
anxiety predicts that in the next ten years problematic drinking will
likely develop.
Rather than trying to self medicate, the best solution is to seek help from a medical professional (Health 24 – Mind, Anxiety).
“Anxiety Disorders could Complicate Alcohol Treatment”.
Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Weekly. August 2005.
09 Oct. 2005
http://infotrac-college.thomson learning.com
“Health 24 – Mind, Anxiety” Health 24. June 2005. 15 Oct. 2005
http://www.health24.com/mind/anxiety/1284-1295,16987.asp
“Psychiatric Disorders among at-risk Consumers of Alcohol in the General Population”
Journal of Studies on Alcohol. March 2005. 09 Oct. 2005
http://infortrac=college.thomsonlearning.com/itw/infomark/207/661/72446798w5
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By:natacha jackson Posted: Dec 01 2005 06:00:21 PM