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Irritability, Frustration and Aggression As alcohol affects the chemicals in the brain (neurotransmitters) that play a role in our emotions it is hardly surprising that it should also disrupt our moods. Irritability, frustration and aggression tend to be seen more typically when an individual is withdrawing from alcohol, when the level of blood alcohol drops below a certain amount the person tends to be restless and irritable and is often at the stage when they are "due" for their next drink (for example if someone is drinking heavily in the evenings when it gets to late afternoon they maybe experiencing changes in their mood and be craving or anticipating their next drink)
When someone is trying to stop drinking they may go through this also and with the added pressure of knowing they should not and will not be drinking may experience feelings of frustration and aggression. Although there have been many studies conducted to look at the role of alcohol in relation to aggression and violence there is still a debate as to what role alcohol does play in violent crimes such as domestic violence. Although it would seem reasonable to conclude that the increase in "alcohol fuelled" violence in cities after pub closing is due to the effects of alcohol it has been argued that it may be more to do with the psychological and/or social conditioning i.e. when someone drinks they believe it makes them violent and they are subconsciously fulfilling this role when they are, and sometimes only when they think they are, under the influence of alcohol.
Mood Swings (High's & Low's) Neurotransmitters such as Serotonin, Dopamine, Noradrenalin and the Excitatory / inhibitory amino acids play an important role in our mood. High's of serotonin cause feelings of happiness, high's of dopamine cause feelings of euphoria, lows of both these chemicals leads to depression of emotions and mood. Although initially alcohol does seem to raise mood and cause elation in the disinhibition stage (possibly due to it stimulating the production of serotonin and natural endorphins ), beyond a certain point it acts as a depressant on the brain, dampening down and switching off neural activity starting in the conscious brain areas, responsible for intellectual tasks and reasoning, back through the intermediary brain (limbic system) responsible for emotions, then on into the more native / subconscious part of the brain that controls breathing and other innate, reflex actions.
Depression Many people who have been drinking heavily for an extended period have often already sort advice from their doctor for long term depression, in fact they may say that they drink because they are depressed when in reality it may well be their drinking that has lead to the onset or progression of their depression. Serotonin has long been known to cause depression and common antidepressants play a role in enhancing serotonin production and function in the brain, to increase "feelings of happiness". It has been suggested that some people with alcohol dependency show a decrease in Serotonin levels and it has been shown that the use of antidepressants that target serotonin may also decrease craving and alcohol intake.
If alcohol is used frequently it will over stimulate serotonin and therefore the body may compensate by 1. Decreasing serotonin production in the brain 2. Decreasing the brains sensitivity to serotonin If the brain has lower levels of serotonin or decreased response to its effects then it is easy to see how this could lead to depression.
But depression itself is a complex and variable disorder, the role that alcohol plays in the brain is also complex and not well understood, studies have shown that alcohol affects many other neurotransmitters including dopamine, noradrenalin and cholecystokinen. It has also recently been shown to play a large role in increasing the inhibitory effects of the amino acid neurotransmitters.
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