Alcohol & Mental Health: Understanding the Connection

Some people use alcohol to relax or cope with difficult feelings, but alcohol can also affect mood, anxiety, sleep, judgement and the ability to cope.

Mental Health & Wellbeing Support Hub

Why can alcohol and mental health become linked?

Alcohol may feel calming in the short term, but using it repeatedly to manage anxiety, stress, low mood or sleep can create an unhelpful cycle. Poor sleep and the after-effects of drinking can also make coping harder.

Signs alcohol may be becoming a coping strategy

Warning signs can include drinking specifically to manage emotions, needing more alcohol for the same effect, finding it difficult to cut down, hiding drinking, or alcohol affecting work, relationships, health or responsibilities.

Do not suddenly stop if you may be dependent

If you are physically dependent on alcohol, suddenly stopping can be dangerous. Seek medical advice about reducing or stopping safely.

Where can you seek help?

Your GP can discuss alcohol use, physical health and mental wellbeing and direct you to appropriate local support. If anxiety or depression is also present, appropriate mental health assessment may be needed.

Urgent help

If someone is seriously unwell, unconscious, having a seizure or in immediate danger, call 999. For an urgent mental health crisis that is not an emergency, call NHS 111 and select mental health option 2.

Related: Stress & Burnout and Low Mood vs Depression.

General information only. Alcohol dependence and withdrawal require appropriate clinical assessment.