Is alcohol good for anxiety?

Question

or worse?

Answer 1

Alcohol is good for becoming an alcoholic when you use it to self-medicate and not much else  

Answer 2

It works wonders. Don't believe these people.

Answer 3

Alcohol is never good!

Answer 4

Okay. The politically correct answer is no. Alcohol is not supposed to be good for you or effective in treating anxiety. However, what most people don't realize is that the same tranquilizers often prescribed by psychiatrists (Xanax, Ativan, etc.) are actually in the same drug category as alcohol (i.e., central nervous system depressants). That's just a fact. The political part of this is the stigma associated with alcohol abuse. However, there's just as much potential to abuse tranquilizers that are ACCEPTED as part of pharmacotherapy to treat anxiety disorders and are prescribed as "psychiatric treatments." And that usage over long periods comes with the same exact withdrawal and addiction that is associated with alcoholism. It's exactly the same withdrawal symptoms, and though the liver may not be the most vulnerable in some cases other neurological or organ damage can occur, as is typical with abusing many types of drugs.

You want a real cure for anxiety disorders? It doesn't come in a drug form.

Answer 5

It actually helps.. but a drinking problem is worse. It's best just to hit the anxiety nail right on its head. (Deal with it)

Answer 6

I have severe anxiety.

I use to party.

And now I can't take a drink of alcohol. It makes me feel good for the time being, but god, when it wears off. I have panic attacks. I feel worthless. Stupid for drinking. It's odd. But the anxiety is much worse than the hang over.

Answer 7

It may seem like it works at first but later on you will feel more anxiety as the alcohol wears off.

Answer 8

Unfortunately, no.  It makes it worse.  

After about 5-6 hours of drinking alcohol, your adrenals will release epinephrine.  This drains the adrenals, and in turn will cause more anxiety.  

Trust me; I really wish it weren't so.  

Answer 9

uhm much worse.  The truth is that alcohol can actually trigger panic attacks. It depresses the central nervous system and causes fatigue, agitation and anxiety. It is ironic that individuals engage in an activity that produces effects similar to the ones they are trying to relieve.

When the alcohol begins to wear off, anxious people are likely to experience shakiness, headaches and nausea.

Alcohol does not mix well with anxiety medications.

So if you are an anxious person try to stay away from the alcohol sorry for the long answer.