Alcohol and Depression

[musclemom]

I know a lot of people who are depressed will drink ... but is there any chance that regular consumption of alcohol will, in itself, actually cause depression?

I don't actually think this person has a physical addiction, but they may have a psychological dependency which is actually hard to research in a way, because all the stuff on the internet centers on honest to God alcoholism, with the attendent destruction of home, job and interpersonal relationships and this is not the case here.

Does anybody know any good websites? Things like AA aren't appropriate ...

 

[H_T_]

booze is an escape for a lot of people. a lame ass coping skill. there is nothing beneficial in drinking to drunkedness even a couple of times a week. go and google it and see what is considered an alcoholic. it's a lot less than you think.

 

[H_T_]

and just so that you know, i can say this cuz i am one.

 

[musclemom]

booze is an escape for a lot of people. a lame ass coping skill. there is nothing beneficial in drinking to drunkedness even a couple of times a week. go and google it and see what is considered an alcoholic. it's a lot less than you think.

HumanT, thanks for your input ...

She doesn't get drunk (ever), she doesn't black out, doesn't forget things, doesn't drink during the day, just has a couple or six shots of vodka in a couple of screwdrivers a night, every night, and has for the past 10 years (she quit for two months to lose weight and lost a total of 5 pounds) ... she doesn't crave the stuff, her liver is perfectly healthy -- booze is her only vice, this is a person who doesn't even take aspirin -- and when I asked her why drink every night she said she can't relax at night and has a hard time falling asleep, no matter whether she works out or not.

I mean the thing is, most people know the obvious symptoms of alcohol abuse, and the usual consequences, I've known a couple of hard core alcoholics ... she doesn't fall into any category I've read about or seen.

 

[H_T_]

so, just ballparking this, mind you. she's drinking roughly 2 fifths a week? hmmm, each shot is considered a drink. and 1 or 2 drinks a night is medically acceptable. so, i guess she's just on the high end of this. but there are still dangers lurking. what's to say she doesn't ramp this up one day? or, if she has kids, their chances of alcoholism are greater.......

 

[markshark]

HumanT, thanks for your input ...

She doesn't get drunk (ever), she doesn't black out, doesn't forget things, doesn't drink during the day, just has a couple or six shots of vodka in a couple of screwdrivers a night, every night, and has for the past 10 years (she quit for two months to lose weight and lost a total of 5 pounds) ... she doesn't crave the stuff, her liver is perfectly healthy -- booze is her only vice, this is a person who doesn't even take aspirin -- and when I asked her why drink every night she said she can't relax at night and has a hard time falling asleep, no matter whether she works out or not.

I mean the thing is, most people know the obvious symptoms of alcohol abuse, and the usual consequences, I've known a couple of hard core alcoholics ... she doesn't fall into any category I've read about or seen.

damn she mustve developed a tolerance. 6 shots would kill me, though i dont drink often. i would think that since there are toxins that stay in the body for long periods oftime after the consumption of alcohol, and the fact that shes doing this every night would cause some depression. i know that if i drink one night on a weekend, even if its like a few drinks, i feel more "down" the next day. my stepdad drinks tequila everynight and pops xanax and hes the most miserable fuck ive ever met. he takes like 12 prescriptions of pain killers and benzos, blood pressure pills and shit. i just think any type of self-medicating habit has a "down" to it until you self-medicate again. ive gone through this as you already know musclemom. but as far as your friend goes, this is just my 2 cents im no expert.

 

[HardHat87]

HumanT, thanks for your input ...

She doesn't get drunk (ever), she doesn't black out, doesn't forget things, doesn't drink during the day, just has a couple or six shots of vodka in a couple of screwdrivers a night, every night, and has for the past 10 years (she quit for two months to lose weight and lost a total of 5 pounds) ... she doesn't crave the stuff, her liver is perfectly healthy -- booze is her only vice, this is a person who doesn't even take aspirin -- and when I asked her why drink every night she said she can't relax at night and has a hard time falling asleep, no matter whether she works out or not.

I mean the thing is, most people know the obvious symptoms of alcohol abuse, and the usual consequences, I've known a couple of hard core alcoholics ... she doesn't fall into any category I've read about or seen.

That is a lot of liquor everynight. She has a problem. If she has been doing it that long maybe she can't relax or fall asleep without it.

 

[H_T_]

booze does more to others than yourself. it makes a completely different person out of you and makes you say and do things you'd never do otherwise. i'm talking from experience. it's so easy to fall into the supposed "social drinker" category and wind up full blown before you ever realize it. usually you're trying to make up for some shortcoming or trying to escape from something. it never works, it magnifies your problems and makes them obvious to everyone around you, except yourself. you start getting to the point where large portions of the previous night are missing, only to be filled in the next night by your drinking buddies. in the oncoming embarrassment, you decide the only cure is a drink. and so it goes..........what can be done to stop? usually you have to lose something very important to you, your freedom, your money.............or a friend. this doesn't always work, sometimes you'll just go back to what you know, a comfortable place where no one judges. it's the land of excuses, where everything is ok and always forgiven. but sitting there, or anywhere by yourself or with "friends", you realize there will be a point where you may never return. you'll be absorbed, be a part of the collective. among those who refuse to look at life without distortion. in your new way of thinking, you believe everyone else has the problem. and they do, and that problem is you. and maybe, just maybe you can get out alive. by just saying fuck it, i've had enough........

 

[Vita]

it might take an edge off for her to drink every night like that. but having that much vodka every night would make you an alky.

she might not drink to get drunk, but i guarantee she calms down with her drinks, and has developed a dependency if she really drinks like you say.

take that away and she'll likely be very irritable. also, you said she quit for a short time to lose weight? i bet she 1) was irritable, 2) was good at hiding her cravings from others, and 3) went back to it because of 1 & 2.

alcohol is a depressent, and having it in your system on a regular basis (6 shots/night) is going to start to affect one mentally.

so if the real question was if it is causing her depression, then i'd say it's safe to assume so. taking a multi-vitamin daily will keep them in your system, drinking will do the same. be ready to be a shoulder to lean on if you aim to get her to stop. it MIGHT not SEEM like a problem, but drinking daily like that isn't. just because she's got a measure of control, doesn't mean it's not a problem.

drinking isn't good for you at all. a glass of red wine with dinner may be good for the heart, but 6 shots of vodka daily isn't good...

 

[nodiggitydave]

Alcohol IS a depressant.

It sounds like alcoholism, it's a common problem in every country in the world.

Very Common.

Remember: A chemical reaction happening inside your brain, causes you to forget what you're saying...

I think your right about AA being all about religion.

Smoke weed instead - Chills me out at night and I have no problem sleeping.. er until I don't smoke it that is..