World Mental Health Day (10th October), provides an important opportunity to examine the often-overlooked connection between alcohol use and mental health. Ruth Allonby, Chief Executive of Mount Carmel Rehab is urging people to consider how their drinking patterns affect their emotional, physical and mental well-being. Short-term use can temporarily ease stress or social anxiety, but repeated or heavy drinking exacerbates mood disorders, increases anxiety, and interferes with sleep and cognitive function.
It’s simple – alcohol is a depressant that can worsen anxiety, depression and sleep disorders and yet 80% of adults drink alcohol in the UK. For some people, what begins as casual or social drinking can become a harmful coping mechanism when life stressors increase. Understanding signs of problematic use, such as increased tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, changes in mood, and difficulties at work or in relationships, is critical. Heavy drinking destroys vital body organs, causes acute poisoning, and can lead to fatal accidents. In England alone latest figures recorded an estimated 21,971 alcohol-related deaths.
World Mental Health Day is the ideal time to take stock and look at your drinking habits before they become a problem. Ruth stresses, avoid using alcohol to self-medicate, seek professional assessment if symptoms persist, and reach out to trusted family members or friends for support if you’re concerned.
How Alcohol Affects Your Mental Health:
- Sleep Disruption: Alcohol ruins deep sleep quality, leaving you tired and less resilient to daily stress the next day.
- The Vicious Cycle: Many people use alcohol to cope with stress, low mood, or social anxiety, but it changes brain chemistry and depletes neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine over time.
- Hangxiety: The day after drinking, the body experiences a neural rebound effect, which spikes feelings of worry, dread, and anxiety.
Tips for Cutting Back
- Monitor your intake: Know your limits and try to have several alcohol-free days each week.
- Choose alternatives: Swap alcoholic drinks for non-alcoholic options during social events to wind down safely.
- Seek support: If you rely heavily on alcohol to manage your mental health, talk to a professional rather than using it as a coping mechanism
How to get help when drinking becomes a problem
First, visit your GP. They can check for any damage caused by alcohol, and give advice. They will also know whether a “detox” is needed – it may be unsafe to stop suddenly without medical supervision.
Some people join self help fellowships – Alcoholics Anonymous, SMART Recovery, and Soberistas etc, they are open to anyone, and are responsible for getting thousands sober each year in the UK.You could also approach your Local Authority Drug and Alcohol Team (DAAT). These specialists can offer a range of interventions, from brief day courses to residential rehab, and they will assess you and decide what is best for you. They are very experienced, and will try to help everyone.
Mount Carmel Rehab is a centre of excellence for alcohol treatment established more than 40 years ago and is based in S.London. It is an independent not for profit organisation with HMRC charitable status. Most of its clients are funded by Local Authorities with self-funding also available.
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