Why Are Most Alcoholics So Angry?

Multiple studies have found that alcohol is involved in nearlyhalf of all violent crimes, more than any other substance or drug. While some consider drugs to be stronger than alcohol, alcohol specifically impacts an individual’s judgment and ability to make rational decisions. A total of 100 males (50 alcohol-dependent and 50 abstainers) in the age range of 20–45 years with a primary diagnosis of alcohol dependence https://ecosoberhouse.com/ were taken for the study. If aggression has become part of your relationship, it’s time to get the help you need to recover from your addiction. Alcohol and anger are not a good combination, and you are putting yourself and your loved one at risk when you engage in drinking. Luckily, that clarity can be beneficial, because it means that you have a chance to put your foot down and stop what you’re doing.

• Various factors affect the potential for anger arousal with alcohol consumption.
• In addition to receiving guidance from experienced professionals, support groups are effective for building relationships.
• When someone allows anger to build up over time, they’re more likely to suffer an explosion.
• They were directed to engage in a task with the potential to trigger aggressive verbalizations, with those who consumed alcohol showing significantly more such behavior.

It makes people — even their closest friends — less willing to spend time with them. It can have a major impact on their family members’ quality of life and even be a detriment to the healthy development of any children they have. But in real life, a person who loses control of their emotions when they drink is anything but entertaining. People spend years in therapy and in treatment for issues of their own that are caused by the consequences of this behavior. Aftercare recovery programs and our comprehensive alcohol rehab programs to help those new to sobriety understand how to manage their emotions and control their triggers. Lack of emotional support, social isolation, disengagement from recovery programs, and not treating co-occurring disorders can contribute to dry drunk syndrome.

Typical Risk Factors for Alcohol-Related Aggression

Gerevich J, Bácskai E, Czobor P. Aggression levels in treatment seeking inpatients with alcohol-related problems compared to levels in the general population in Hungary. The existence of an angry “crazy drunk person” is often featured in TV shows and movies because of the rising drama and action they bring to an entertaining storyline. Fortunately, people who become irrationally mad when drunk can work to prevent and treat their behavior. Overall, exhibiting one or a combination of the above factors can increase your chances of becoming angry when intoxicated.

And, according to the Association for Psychological Science, alcohol is involved inhalf of all violent crimeslike rapes, assaults, and murders in the United States. Life can be really frustrating, and you might find yourself struggling to deal productively with emotions of anger. Or, you may have someone in your life or family who has a problem with a short fuse or a hot temper.

Living With Someone With Alcohol-Induced Anger

Consult with a mental health professional and/or an addiction specialist who can provide resources and recommendations for treatment options. Drinking cocktails that include energy drinks should be considered a possible factor for aggressive behavior as well. Researchers surveyed 175 young adults who mixed alcohol with caffeinated energy drinks about their verbal and physical aggression in bar conflicts. Results showed enough escalation in people consuming these drinks to label the beverages a “potential risk” to increased hostility. “Trait anger” refers to a person’s general tendency to experience chronic anger over time.

Furthermore, alcohol can make you focus too much on specific words or behaviors from other people. If you see someone cut in front of you in line for the bathroom at a bar or concert, you may react aggressively when you otherwise wouldn’t mind. When drinking, it becomes increasingly challenging to interpret information alcohol and anger logically. By not seeing situations clearly, you endanger yourself or others. Some of the biological factors that contribute to alcoholism may also play a role in increasing the risk of intimate partner violence. Such factors including head injury, neurochemistry, physiological reactivity, metabolism, and genetics.

Treatment Options for Alcohol Abuse & Addiction

For those who are suffering from alcoholism and anger psychotherapy might be the best option. This type of therapy focuses on learning how a person’s anger and alcoholism started and reprograms the brain so it no longer thinks that it needs alcohol to deal with anger and other emotions. It also teaches the person more healthy ways to deal with their anger moving forward such as exercise, journaling, and other ways that we discussed earlier.