Alcohol Depression - The Symptom You May Not Have Thought Of

Alcohol depression is a common symptom associated with drinking too much alcohol. There are two types of depression associated with alcohol. The first is when you have the feelings of depression that lead you to begin drinking to excess. This type of depression looks to drinking as a coping measure, something to fill the holes that depression creates. The second type of depression is that which is caused by alcohol itself. The lines between these two can become easily blurred. Is your depression leading you to drink or is your drinking creating your depression?

Often an alcoholic will look back to discover that the depression was there prior to the drinking binges. They will recall times spent in loneliness and misery; perhaps a troubled childhood or a number of broken relationships. This depression creates feelings of emptiness. People strive to fill this emptiness with 'stuff'. Often this 'stuff' can involve alcohol. It is beneficial to speak with those who are closest to you to discover if you exhibited any signs of depression prior to turning to alcohol. By focusing on this depression you may be able to turn the tables on your alcohol addiction. By dealing with your alcohol depression you will certainly be able to make strong strides towards health.

There is evidence that points to alcohol being a factor in causing depression. Studies have demonstrated a link between alcohol and depression but it is not necessarily a causal one. Most of us are aware that alcohol has a negative impact on our bodies. This is especially true of its impact on the human brain. Alcohol acts upon the nerves within the brain interfering with the receptors on the nerve cells. This can lead to inhibiting the neurotransmitter GABA. This causes the symptom of sluggishness. Furthermore, this in turn inhibits the release of the neurotransmitter glutamine, which can cause the sluggishness to increase even more. In other words, alcohol's effect on the brain is to act as a depressant!

Alcohol depression is a serious symptom that should be considered under any alcohol treatment program. If you suspect that you may be impacted by alcohol depression I would urge you to seek help as soon as possible.