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The Toxic Link of Alcohol and Anger: Looking at the Neural Impact and Consequences

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Life is pretty full on and we can encounter stressors from all walks of life – relationship conflicts, work-related demands, parental pressures, societal frustrations and world crises. It seems to come from every angle, whether that’s because we’re made more aware of everything persistently, or whether it’s not so much the stress itself, but how we carry it.

Regardless, being a stressed out human makes us prone to making a mess of things, and sometimes we use things to try and control the way we feel. These ‘coping mechanisms’ can take numerous forms, from shopping to over or under eating, obsessively cleaning, drugs, sex and the most socially acceptable, the use of alcohol.

The daily frustrations of life can easily make us prone to anger, whether we experience it as the low end of the anger-scale; as frustration or the extreme end of the anger-scale – rage.
Mix alcohol with anger and a whole cascade of its own set of pitfalls comes into play.
Let’s look at how alcohol impacts the nervous system and how it can even exacerbate anger itself.

The Chemical Landscape of Anger and Alcohol.

Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant.

It directly affects your brain’s neuro-chemistry. It does this by over-stimulating GABA in your brain – the neuro-chemical that shuts your system down. This is why you initially feel relaxed and at ease. However, too much GABA and your system will go into a coma and die. As a result, your brain then goes into over-drive to correct the effect of too much GABA by producing Glutomate which stimulates your body (too much Glutomate and you’ll have seizures). This is why you feel jittery or extra anxious after a night out. Increased intoxication leads to an increase of irritability and aggression.*source: Andy Ramage

In addition to this, if you happen to be someone who tends to seek out stimuli to activate feelings of anger (a misdirected way of trying to feel powerful) – often referred to as ‘trait anger’ – alcohol will only enhance these feelings. People with ‘trait-anger’ tend to be more angry more often and act out more aggressively than someone who does not have this personality trait. Overall, alcohol will simply exacerbate the state you’re in. If you’re prone to melancholia, it can increase sadness.

Alcohol is also a dis-inhibitor. It inhibits the prefrontal cortex (responsible for impulse control and rational thought). This makes you unable to suppress or change an act of aggression that is not appropriate for the situation you’re in. You, literally, become irrational. For example, if you’re drunk, you might perceive someone bumping into you by accident as a provocation and over-react with aggression.

Over time, alcohol reduces cognitive function and makes it more difficult to solve problems, control anger, and make good decisions.

The Cycle of Anger and Alcohol.

The relationship between alcohol and anger is often cyclic. A person may drink to cope with feelings of anger, which in turn can lead to diminished self-control and irrational behavior. This irrationality can provoke new conflicts, often exacerbating feelings of anger and shame. The cycle continues as they seek solace in alcohol again, attempting to alleviate the distress caused by the outburst or the conflicts that arose from them. Drinking is a coping mechanism for feelings that are distressing – anger, shame, grief; grief of a loved one and grief of the loss of a sense of self from addiction.

This alcohol cycle carries significant implications not only for the individual but also for the people around them. Relatives, friends, and colleagues may find themselves on the receiving end of misplaced anger during intoxicated episodes, leading to a deteriorating social environment and potential isolation. Increasingly volatile interactions can discourage support networks, ultimately perpetuating feelings of loneliness and despair that fuel further drinking.

The Neural Mechanisms Behind Increased Anger.

Research into the neural mechanisms of anger and alcohol consumption show how alcohol can intensify feelings and responses associated with anger. The dysregulation of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and norepinephrine plays a pivotal role. Alcohol lowers serotonin levels, a neurotransmitter associated with mood regulation. When serotonin levels drop, individuals may find themselves experiencing intensified anger and aggression.

Additionally, studies have shown that chronic alcohol consumption can lead to structural and functional changes in the brain’s circuitry related to emotional regulation. This includes changes in the connectivity between the prefrontal cortex and the amygdala. Consequently, the ability to appropriately modulate emotional responses diminishes, leading to increased likelihood of aggressive outbursts.

Moreover, the inflammatory response elicited by heavy drinking further compounds these effects. Alcohol triggers the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, substances that can impair cognitive function and exacerbate irritability and aggression. This biochemical cascade can set off a dangerous feedback loop in which alcohol consumption leads to anger, which in turn reinforces the desire for alcohol as a means of coping.

The Long-Term Consequences.

Long-term alcohol use and unmanaged anger is nothing less than devastating. Relationships deteriorate which reduces the very aspect of life that helps us cope better – connection. This only impacts mental health further and people can find themselves more prone to anxiety and depression from the sense of rejection and isolation.

Moreover, long-term effects on the brain, including impairments in judgment, increased impulsivity, and a decreased ability to cope with stress. Increased cortisol in our bodies over long periods of time impacts our memories. Reliance on alcohol can happen to anyone and it’s important to remember that addiction doesn’t discriminate.

Breaking the Cycle: Strategies for Healthy Management.

Understanding the toxic interplay of alcohol and anger is the first step toward addressing the issue. Those grappling with similar challenges should consider the following strategies for healthier management:

1. Seek Professional Help: Counseling or therapy can provide coping strategies and help individuals explore the root causes of their anger. Alcohol consumption is a symptom not a cause and unfortunately, we live in a society that glorifies inebriation. It is a brave thing to challenge the status quo. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a particularly effective method for managing both anger issues and alcohol dependence.

2. Develop Healthy Coping Mechanisms: Engaging in physical activities, practicing mindfulness or meditation, and pursuing hobbies can provide healthier outlets for stress and anger. The point to all this is that you have to find something that makes you feel positive about yourself and gives you a different, healthier sense of self…and commit to that task. Whatever that activity is – as long as it’s healthier. In doing so, you will find and start engaging with healthier people and by so doing start to build a robust support network that will also give guidance and accountability.

3. Limit Alcohol Intake: There’s nothing else to it but reducing or eliminating alcohol consumption will significantly reduce angry outbursts. The worst thing about stopping drinking is that you get your feelings back. It also means you’ll give yourself the opportunity to learn to regulate your feelings in more helpful ways and yes, you may need to engage in the courses and other people to find those ways.

4. Practice Anger Management Techniques: Our courses dive into anger and what drives it. You will learn so much about yourself and this will only build your self esteem. Any investment in your personal development, no matter what path, is priceless – it will only encourage you to be the best that you can be. Keep committing to learning.

In the UK, is available on 0300 330 0659. In the US, call or text National Helpline at 988. In Australia, the is at 1800 250 015; families and friends can seek help at at 1300 368 186