If you have ever had a bad hangover, you are likely familiar with the physical effects of a night of heavy drinking such as nausea and a pounding headache. While there are many who claim that hangover remedies such as greasy food or aspirin are all you need to feel better the morning after, those of us that suffer from hangover anxiety know that no amount of medicine or French fries is going to help us. While not everyone experiences an impending sense of doom the day after drinking, people who are already prone to symptoms of anxiety and depression can find a hangover mentally debilitating for an entire day or more. Many people use alcohol to cope with their anxiety, especially in social situations when they want to feel more relaxed and comfortable. Unfortunately, this calming effect is only temporary, and can result in increased anxiety once the effects of the alcohol begin to wear off. There are many factors that contribute to this next-day anxiety, such as a lack of quality sleep after using alcohol and the experience of withdrawal once the alcohol begins to leave your system. The symptoms of hangover anxiety can present as obsessive thoughts, a feeling of dread, depression, and even panic. Some people choose to treat their “hangxiety” by drinking more the next day, therefore creating a vicious cycle of anxiety and alcohol abuse. Developing alcohol use disorder becomes very likely when you are using alcohol to numb your anxiety, creating even more anxiety by doing so, and then drinking more to calm your nerves. If you experience persistent feelings of unease after a night of drinking, you can begin to ease your anxious thoughts by meditating or working out. If you find that you almost always feel anxious after using alcohol, and you are using alcohol to treat your anxiety, now is the time to seek professional help and prioritize your mental health.
At Arbor Behavioral Healthcare, you will meet knowledgeable, compassionate professionals that understand addiction in all its forms. The Arbor uses an integrative and holistic approach to treat addiction and mental health issues. No treatment is one-size-fits-all, and at The Arbor you will have a team of experts prepared to create your customized treatment plan. We offer care for your mind, body, and spirit, so that you can heal from the inside out and look forward to a lifetime of sobriety and wellness. If you are ready to take the first step in your recovery, please call us at 844-413-2690.