Luckily, that clarity can be beneficial, because it means that you have a chance to put your foot down and stop what you’re doing. If you become a crazy drunk person when you’re drinking, and you drink often, it’s probably safe to say you’re an alcoholic. Unfortunately, quitting something that’s become an addiction isn’t as easy as simply making the decision to stop.

So if someone you know is normally short-tempered, this may explain why they display rage when drinking. At first, alcohol gives the sensation of relaxation which is part of the reason why people enjoy drinking. This feel, though, can be switched to feelings of anger and aggression the more that alcoholism and anger you drink. We are more likely to be confrontational and misinterpret things which is why oftentimes aggressive encounters and fights happen. While stimulants, such as coffee and Adderall, target dopamine receptors in the brain, alcohol and other depressants target the brain’s GABA receptors.

Alcohol lowers emotional stability.

You risk your relationship if you get angry at your partner when you drink. It’s the only way you can reverse the changes alcohol has made to your mood and personality. Another side effect of consuming too much alcohol https://ecosoberhouse.com/ is emotional instability. Drinking is like pouring gasoline onto a fire if you have a short fuse or do not manage stress well. Because alcohol is so common in our culture, it’s easy to forget it is a drug.

drinking and anger

When alcohol triggers aggression, it disrupts our ability to cognitively function and in turn, we are unable to problem solve. Alcohol has a different effect on everyone and while alcohol can make some people social and happy, for others, it can mean aggressive and scary behavior. Studies suggest that some individuals become confrontational when they are drinking as a result of the way alcohol interacts with the brains chemistry.

Real Life Stories

People act differently when they are under the influence of alcohol. Although a person may be drunk, it doesn’t mean they are going to be aggressive. Anger is exacerbated by alcohol, but an easy-going person isn’t likely to become angry while drunk. If you are struggling with an addiction to alcohol and you are told that you have anger control problems when you are drinking, pay attention to what people are saying to you. Some people use alcohol as a coping mechanism to avoid painful feelings or thoughts. Blaming others for those troubles may follow, as this also helps your loved one avoid accepting responsibility.

However, if lowered inhibition for you means that fury is unleashed, you could be in for some trouble. Research has shown that thought suppression may contribute to alcohol-related aggression. One study supporting this finding enlisted 245 men with a history of heavy episodic alcohol use (Berke et al., 2020). They completed surveys assessing their endorsement of traditional masculine norms, use of thought suppression, and both trait and alcohol-related aggression.

The Effects of Alcohol-Related Aggression

If you have difficulty controlling your drinking behavior, odds are you likely have trouble controlling your temper while drinking. Identifying those factors that might contribute to heightened anger when consuming alcohol is important for individuals who have anger issues and those who treat them. Increasingly, research offers answers to determine this interaction. The World Health Organization identifies alcohol more closely with aggressive behavior than any other psychotropic substance.

What alcohol makes you angry?

One third of people said that drinking spirits made them feel angry, or susceptible to aggressive urges. While women tended to experience stronger emotional responses to the different types of alcohol, men were more likely to feel aggressive after drinking than women — particularly men that drank heavily.

But once GABA is metabolized, it mostly converts to glutamine, causing excitement (6). Some people may become more angry or aggressive when they drink, in part because of alcohol’s effects on brain chemistry. Research suggests several factors may be involved, including personality, genetics, social considerations, brain chemistry, and brain changes. Outpatient programs are often part of aftercare programs once you complete an inpatient or PHP program. It is important for people undergoing treatment to have a stable and supportive home environment without access to drugs and alcohol. These programs typically last 30, 60, or 90 days, sometimes longer.