How Alcohol Affects Your Mental Health

For many teenagers and young adults, drinking alcohol can seem like a fun way to socialize and feel more confident. You might notice the physical effects of alcohol, but alcohol can also effect your brain and mental health. Here’s what you need to know:
Alcohol and your mood
Drinking alcohol can change how you feel in the moment. It might make you feel more relaxed, cheerful, and confident, and it can distract you from difficult thoughts or feelings.
But these effects are temporary. As the alcohol wears off, it can make you feel worse than before. On top of the physical hangover symptoms like headaches, difficulty sleeping, and dehydration you might also feel a change in your mood.
This is because alcohol is a depressant. It changes the balance of neurotransmitters in your brain, which are the chemicals that help regulate your feelings, thoughts, and behaviour. After drinking, it can intensify feelings of anxiety, guilt, or shame.
Alcohol also lowers your inhibitions, which might make you do or say things you regret. The next day, this can make you feel worried or doubt yourself, this is sometimes called ‘hangxiety.’
Alcohol and pre-existing mental health conditions
If you already struggle with your mental health, alcohol can make things harder. For example, people with social anxiety might use alcohol to feel more confident in social situations. But over time, this can lead to drinking more often and in bigger amounts, which increases the risk of alcohol dependence.
Some people use alcohol as a way of ‘self-medicating’ and to deal with difficult feelings or mental health symptoms. It might seem like a quick fix, but drinking makes these issues worse in the long term. It can impact your motivation, mood, and overall outlook on life, and affect your relationships, friendships, and finances.
Alcohol and your brain
During your teenage years, your brain is going through an intense period of growth and development. This continues until your mid-twenties, making your brain especially vulnerable to the effects of alcohol.
Research shows that alcohol interferes with this development and can lead to long-term cognitive effects. Young people are also more likely to experience alcohol poisoning because their smaller body size and higher head-to-body ratio mean that more alcohol reaches the brain. Starting to drink at an early age can also increase the risk of becoming dependent on alcohol later in life.
Helpful resources
Here are some useful resources to help you understand your relationship with alcohol:
- Drinkaware Drinking Check: An easy online assessment to help you understand your relationship with alcohol. It’s a great first step towards making positive changes.
- Medication and Alcohol: If you’re on medication, it’s important to know how alcohol might affect them. Talk to your GP or check the guidance on the NHS website for more information.
- MyDrinkaware App: This free app lets you track your alcohol intake and monitor your drinking habits. It’s a helpful way to keep a visual record and stay aware of your patterns.
Getting help
Drinking alcohol might seem fun in the moment, but it’s important to understand how it can affect your mental health —especially as a young person. If you’re feeling stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed, there are healthier ways to cope. Meic is here to listen without judgment. Our helpline is confidential and free, so you can chat about anything bothering you.
