Likewise, hostility is an attitude of resentment and unfriendliness that doesn’t require feelings of anger. There are several theories to explain why alcohol makes you aggressive. One prominent theory is “alcohol myopia,” which proposes that alcohol can impair your judgment and reduce your inhibitions, making it difficult for you to think straight. As a result, you may miss specific social and environmental cues that can help you rationally interpret situations.

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Serotonin, a neurotransmitter that plays a role in mood, plays a significant role in controlling our limbic response. However, alcohol can negatively impact our brain’s ability to determine whether a threat is life-or-death, mainly by affecting levels of neurotransmitters like serotonin in the brain. Alcohol also impairs our judgment and our ability to make rational decisions. They were also required to respond to the Consideration of Future Consequence Scale (CFC). It was found that those scoring lower became significantly more aggressive than those who had higher ratings on the CFC.

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In other words, can we make our inner “Sammy” or “Jimmy” (or whatever name your boozy alter-ego might have) stay away for good? Red wine was voted the most likely type of alcohol to make a person tired or lethargic, with 60 percent of respondents reporting sleepiness after a few glasses. The moment you think your anger is getting out of control or you’re turning to alcohol or drugs as a coping mechanism, you should consider seeking professional help. When you do talk to someone, don’t just use the time to complain, but try to brainstorm and suggest possible solutions.

• Understanding the physiological and psychological effects of alcohol consumption can help you make an informed choice about whether to raise a glass or take a pass on that next round.
• “Individuals vary in their cardiovascular responses to alcohol, and even low levels of drinking can increase the risk of hypertension and heart disease for some people,” she adds.
• Devineé Lingo is a registered dietitian nutritionist who is on a mission to cultivate health and wholeness in people seeking restoration and renewal.
• They begin to have a short temper when they drink and thus exude aggression.

Aggression?

In other words, we’re likely to do things — including giving others an earful as soon as we feel irked — without thinking about the potential fallout. We might also misread social cues and lash out in response to perceived slights, non-existent threats, or frustrations. Not necessarily, studies show that while alcohol and aggression do, indeed, share a neurological link, not everyone gets aggressive after having a few too many. This is how each type of alcohol alters your mood, according to the study. If taking time out doesn’t help, find a way to put your anger to good use. Exercises, such as running or kickboxing, can be a good way to burn off any rage.

• Anger is one of the biggest causes of relapse, according to Alcoholics Anonymous.
• Identifying those factors that might contribute to heightened anger when consuming alcohol is important for individuals who have anger issues and those who treat them.
• This abrupt and opposing personality shift can be immensely disruptive and lead to violence and ruined relationships.
• We can help answer your questions and guide you to take the best step forward.
• When you do talk to someone, don’t just use the time to complain, but try to brainstorm and suggest possible solutions.
• So it’s not a matter of what specific drink makes you angry, but the nature of drinking itself that creates the cycle.

Trait Anger and Alcohol Aggression

If you think you have or are developing a problem, don’t hesitate to call us. We can help answer your questions and guide you to take the best step forward. If a problem is ongoing or does not seem to have an adequate solution, you should be prepared to make some changes in your life. No matter what, do remember that alcohol and anger do not mix. Substance misuse won’t resolve problems, it will why does alcohol make you angry only cause more.

• Suppressed anger or negative emotions may also explain why people with mental illnesses or poor mental health turn to drugs or drinking to self-cope.
• However, because of the reasons above, alcohol worsens mood swings and anger issues in people who are already generally hot-tempered people.