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People recovering from alcohol misuse or addiction often experience difficult, painful emotions. They might feel frustrated or angry, struggle with their desire to drink, or express alcoholic rage syndrome a lot of negative thoughts. Talking to loved ones about what you’re experiencing and sharing as much as you feel comfortable with can help them understand your distress.

Impact on your health

The study concluded that alcohol increased the odds of physical aggression in those men who had high trait anger and poor anger management skills. It also noted that sexual aggression was higher with alcohol, even in men with low trait anger and reasonable anger management skills. Many people with “angry drunk” tendencies also end up on the wrong side of law. The lack of inhibitions that causes them to lose their temper can lead to bar fights, road rage, impulsive violence (even against friends and loved ones) and other events that may cost them a night in jail or worse. People known to have anger outbursts on alcohol can end up destroying relationships. Even the people who care about them the most can be unable or unwilling to continue to tolerate the abuse.

A woman kept getting drunk despite not drinking. Fungi in her gut were brewing their own alcohol.

  • Finding that it did not, they advised the woman to slowly increase her carbohydrate intake while being monitored by the clinical team.
  • With all these bottled-up emotions when an alcoholic does drink since alcohol naturally lowers inhibitions, loved ones often find themselves caught in the torrent as the emotions re-surface most often as anger.

Alcohol consumption was also linked to a greater risk for stroke, coronary disease, heart failure, and fatally high blood pressure. However, it’s difficult to discern if drinking was the primary problem, or whether lifestyle choices such as diet and exercise influenced health outcomes as well. For many, beer, wine, and spirits conjure up thoughts of social gatherings and tipsy fun. But alcohol is a nervous system depressant and easily alters behavior, culminating in some cases in the emotional pain and physical disintegration of alcohol addiction, colloquially known as alcoholism. Experts continue to debate the benefits and risks of drinking and passionately argue over whether moderation or complete abstinence is the best option for those who struggle with alcoholism.

alcoholic rage syndrome

What is the Connection Between Alcohol and Violence?

Intermittent explosive disorder can begin in childhood — after the age of 6 years — or during the teenage years. It may be caused by the living environment and learned behaviors, genetics, or differences in the brain. If you or a loved one is struggling with alcoholism, contact FHE Health today and get on the road to recovery. When you live with or care for someone who becomes abusive when they’re intoxicated, the consequences may well be more than just hurt feelings. One study published in a journal called Cognitive, Affective, & Behavioral Neuroscience sought to explore factors that make some people more aggressive when they drink.

Brain chemistry, alcohol, and rage

Essentially, drinking makes us less likely to withhold our reactions when we’re angry or annoyed. Family members go about their days—and years—confused and frustrated, wondering why the person has been so mean. This is why it’s so important for loved ones to get help and support. If an angry alcoholic has abused a loved one, they should not have access to the family.

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  • Therefore, seeking a solution for alcohol-related aggression is essential for your future health and safety.
  • In your first appointment with a drug treatment service, the staff will inquire about your drug use, work, family, and housing situations.
  • For many, beer, wine, and spirits conjure up thoughts of social gatherings and tipsy fun.
  • There’s a difference in safety between someone who is expressing anger verbally and one who has become physically aggressive.
  • Alcohol seems to steal away the person you know and replace him or her with an angry version.
  • Heavy drinkers can experience severe and sometimes life threatening symptoms when reducing alcohol intake, so it’s important to have medical support.

Recovery can be extraordinarily difficult and bring up feelings of hopelessness. Plus, if you’ve done things while drinking that harmed you or people you love, you may also carry some pain and have plenty of sharp words for yourself. If you suspect you might be dealing with this syndrome, try not to be too hard on yourself.

  • Although it may be easier said than done, dialing back your drinking can alleviate the problem.
  • The most effective way to cope with alcohol-induced anger is to avoid consuming too much alcohol.
  • A qualified counselor or coach can help you identify underlying issues.
  • In a support group, you can meet like-minded individuals who can help make recovery that much easier.

Other Risks & Dangers of Alcohol-Related Anger

ER docs thought I was drunk — but I actually have a rare condition

alcoholic rage syndrome

by | Nov 27, 2020