Alcoholism & Anger Management: Mental Health & Addiction

Look at your own or a friend’s behavior and see if this kind of behavior is a pattern or not. Attending one-on-one therapy with a licensed therapist can help you work through anger issues in a more private setting. Scheduling an appointment with a professional who specializes in anger management may be more beneficial than participating in group therapy if you have social anxiety.

The study included 67 undergraduate men who were currently dating someone. “If you carefully consider the consequences of your actions, it is unlikely getting drunk is going to make you any more aggressive than you usually are,” Bushman said. “If you’re that kind of person, you really should watch your drinking. Combining alcohol with a focus on the present can be a recipe for disaster.” “Alcohol didn’t have much effect on the aggressiveness of people who were future-focused.” “The participants were led to believe they were dealing with a real jerk who got more and more nasty as the experiment continued,” Bushman said.

Why Do I Get Angry When I Drink?

One such study included 136 men with a history of intimate partner violence (IPV) (Estruch, 2017). The individuals who had higher mental rigidity had lower empathy and perception of the severity of IPV. Additionally, they reported higher alcohol use and hostile sexism than those lower in mental rigidity.

Have family members or others mentioned concerns about your alcohol consumption? Did you recently experience an incident that stemmed from your alcohol-related aggression? These situations likely spark emotions when you think about them — perhaps you feel embarrassed or ashamed.

Identify What’s Making You Angry

It was found that thought suppression mediated the association between the toughness masculine norm and alcohol-related aggression. Another study of 249 heavy drinkers similarly found that alcohol intoxication predicted higher levels of IPV in those who reported low psychological flexibility (Grom et al., 2021). 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. The good news is that there are newer, easier ways to access support for problem drinking.

• “We already know that alcohol increases aggression. And people who have aggressive personality traits also tend not to think about the consequences of their actions,” Bushman says.
• In a 2010 study conducted in Sweden, researchers found a link between people who suppress their anger and their likelihood of getting into drunken brawls.
• As you become more self-aware, you’ll make better choices about alcohol consumption.
• However, with care and empathy, it’s often possible to have a productive discussion, and help someone move forward.

And, according to the Association for Psychological Science, alcohol is involved in half of all violent crimes like rapes, assaults, and murders in the United States. If you’re struggling with becoming angry when you drink or you cannot stop drinking despite various attempts, rest assured that help is available. Alcoholism is treatable, so if you’re ready to get free from alcohol addiction, reaching out for help is the first step toward freedom. When you drink, the alcohol affects the part of your brain that usually keeps that anger in check. Due to your lowered inhibitions or lack of impulse control, that pent up or accumulated anger can come out in a fury.

The Connection Between Alcohol and Anger

If you think about it, a crucial part of being aggressive when intoxicated is lacking self-awareness. Those who don’t think about the consequences of their actions are more likely to adversely affect themselves and others. Additionally, when you don’t reflect on mistakes you’ve made, you’ll probably repeat them. These days, people who misuse alcohol can enroll in various treatment programs, whether you choose the 12-step approach or decide to enter residential treatment.

Because alcohol can relax you when consumed in large doses, it’s the perfect temporary antidote for someone who’s looking for an immediate release from life’s stressors. However, alcohol is addictive, and it eventually does more physical and psychological harm than good. Alcohol treatment is usually the best way for people who have become dependent on drinking to get sober safely.

Results showed enough escalation in people consuming these drinks to label the beverages a “potential risk” to increased hostility. When someone battles AUD, they are also less likely to consistently take care of regular obligations, which can impact interpersonal relationships and their home environment. These issues can then lead to more anger and further difficulty controlling emotions and outbursts.

Instead, you can learn from watching yourself and others what actions might get you more positive results. Or you might have grown up in a hostile environment, and see aggression as the only way to handle difficult circumstances. alcoholic rage syndrome If your loved one has a pattern of becoming aggressive when drunk, consider communicating your concerns to them. They might be unaware of their behavior, or not realize that it’s hurting you or others.