Many studies have been done to understand the connection between alcohol and depression. Not only is alcohol a depressant of the nervous system, recent research indicates that alcohol leads to depression. For those who already haven been diagnosed with depression or mental health disorders there are several reasons to avoid or strictly limit its consumption. For the rest, it is wise to be aware of drinking habits and moods to try to avoid a slide into depression.
A study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry in 2009 reported that problems with alcohol might lead to depression. The report was based on a study performed in New Zealand over 25 years following the same segment of the population. The researchers found that at all ages, a higher incidence of problems with the substance was correlated with a higher incidence of major depressive disorder or other mental health problems. Those with drinking problems or dependence were 1.9 times as likely to have depressive disorder. Although the underlying reasons are not fully understood, researchers believe it could be a combination of genetic processes and a more stressful life that is generally associated with substance dependency problems.
One good indicator that alcohol can lead to this mental condition is the effect alcohol has on the chemical balance of the body. Alcohol lowers levels of serotonin and norepinephrine, which are the chemicals that support a sense of well-being, and the chemicals that anti-depressants try to restore or replace. Further, it reduces levels of folic acid. Low folic acid levels is a factor that can lead to depression and contribute to the development of dementia and other mental health problems.
Drinking can also contribute to the development of a depressed state through other physical and social effects. One thing to be especially careful of is the interaction between alcohol and many medications. Medication used to treat the illness could actually make things worse when mixed with alcohol. It can decrease judgment and lead to a variety of social problems including fallouts with friends and family as well as legal problems, all of which can add to depressed moods. Further, sleep and existing health problems can be negatively affected by excessive drinking, contributing to a less positive outlook.
Bipolar disorder patients should take extra care because studies have shown that alcohol problems and bipolar depressive episodes have much higher correlation rates than alcohol and other types of depressed conditions or mood disorders. Dual diagnosis issues are high with this demographic, and some experts estimate that as many as 60% of those with bipolar depression also have substance abuse problems. This mental health problem is difficult to immediately diagnose and may not have a single cause.
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