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There’s a lot of societal pressure to drink. This, of course, doesn’t mean that everyone drinks strictly because of society, but it’s certainly not uncommon for someone to have a drink just to fit in with those around them. Here in Oregon, 17% of adults ages 18 and older report binge drinking at least once a month. Not only can drinking lead to hangovers but it can also lead to feeling guilty after drinking.
If drinking is so commonplace in society, to the point where some people may shame others who choose not to drink, why is there also guilt that can come with drinking? Here at Serenity Lane, we believe in openly discussing all aspects of substance use, including the emotional aspects. Addressing and speaking openly about these topics can not only potentially help someone understand themselves or their loved one better, but can help people make more informed decisions about their health. Today we’re looking at the emotions that can come from drinking, why they happen, and what they mean for you.
The term “Hangxiety” is a combination of the words “hangover” and “anxiety.” It’s the feelings of regret or anxiety you experience after drinking, and it can be experienced regardless of if you have one drink or many. Studies have shown that, on average, a little over 1 in 10 people experience anxiety as a result of drinking.
What exactly causes hangxiety?
The emotional after-effects of drinking are often overlooked when compared to the physical after-effects. Oftentimes people associate migraines and throwing up with the day after a night of drinking. You might even know more about the "cures for a hangover" than you do about the "cures" for the hangxiety some people have to deal with.
Not everyone realizes the emotions they experience after drinking are tied to drinking in the first place. One of the most common emotional side effects is regret. This can play into hangxiety. Let's look at some of the other sources behind hangxiety.
In order to properly avoid something, you need to know its origins and causes. In the case of hangxiety, you need to determine your own triggers to know what's contributing to the hangxiety in the first place.
The obvious way to avoid hangxiety is to avoid drinking as much, if at all. You can’t have anxiety over drinking if you’re no longer drinking.
There’s no inherent harm, however, in wanting to have a drink or two, or to occasionally enjoy a night out where you might drink. In these cases, one of the best ways to help prevent hangxiety is to be open and honest with those around you. If you can have others looking out for you, to make sure you don’t do something you might regret, to make sure you drink in moderation, and to help ensure you get home on time, this might help reduce any anxiety you feel afterward.
In other cases, however, it might just be a side effect you experience after a certain amount of alcohol. All alcohol falls into a category of substances referred to as “depressants.” This label is derived from how they impact our bodies. Alcohol slows down the messaging system in our bodies, specifically through our central nervous system, or CNS. Other forms of CNS depressants, like benzodiazepines, are used specifically to assist those with anxiety and panic disorders. They do so by slowing down the CNS to help calm them down.
When you partake in a substance, your body can adjust to the presence of that substance altering different parts of your body. They can come to rely on these substances to “assist” in the areas that they normally impact. One of the symptoms you can experience during alcohol withdrawal is anxiety, which might be felt because your body was used to the slowed version of your CNS. With it returning to a normal, working speed, your body can translate this increased messaging speed as anxiety.
Alcohol withdrawal is one of the side effects of alcoholism, or an alcohol use disorder (AUD). While not everyone who drinks has an AUD, it’s important to know the signs of an AUD so you can look for them both in yourself and in loved ones.
Here are some of the common behavioral side effects of an alcohol use disorder:
These outward signs are some of the more obvious side effects you can look for with an AUD. Additionally, those who have an AUD or consistently binge drink are at increased risk of alcohol poisoning. This is when your body has more alcohol than it can process and it becomes overwhelmed and starts to shut down. The higher your “tolerance” becomes for experiencing the effects, the greater your risk. Not feeling the effects of alcohol at that moment doesn’t mean your body can process more alcohol than it used to.
Here at Serenity Lane, we offer treatment options for alcoholism. Our trained medical staff can help you safely detox from alcohol. This can be especially beneficial due to some of the severe, life-threatening side effects that can occur during alcohol withdrawal, like seizures. When surrounded by medical staff who know what they’re doing, however, the risk can be mediated and your discomfort during withdrawal can be addressed too.
In addition to detox, we also offer both residential inpatient and outpatient programs, too. These, combined with detox, can help you build the foundations of recovery. We want to see you reach your healing goals.
If you have any questions about the programs we offer here at Serenity Lane, our detox program, how we treat alcohol use disorder, don’t hesitate to give us a call at (800) 543-9905. Our team here is always ready to help.
What to do when feeling guilty for drinking too much?
Talk with your friends and loved ones about the guilt you’re experiencing. Having an outside opinion about the situation can help you figure out how to address it, while also giving you support.
How long does feeling guilty of drinking alcohol last?
The feeling of guilt after drinking can’t be measured by time. Everyone experiences this differently. It could last for a day or it could last for weeks or more.
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