In this section, we help explain what the alcohol rehab process entails, and how we can assist you or a loved one select rehab that’s best suited to your needs.
Alcohol is a physically addictive substance. Detoxing from alcohol without medical assistance is life-threatening. In this section, we explain how to detox safely.
In this section, we outline a range of evidence-based addiction treatments. These treatments are available at residential or outpatient rehab clinics across the UK and abroad.
Addiction is a disease of the mind and classified as an illness. In this section, we offer information about the most common forms of addiction affecting society in the UK.
In this section, we provide help and advice around the topic of mental health. Protecting your mental health should be a life-goal, and seeking out help for mental health issues could be the most important decision you ever make.
Alcoholism is a chronic illness, affecting over a million people in the UK alone. In this section, we provide resources to help you better understand this illness, and what to do if you or a loved one are affected by alcoholism.
Hangxiety is a combination of “hangover” and “anxiety”, and is exactly what you may expect it to be.
After a night of heavy drinking, people will wake up with negative feelings such as anxiety, worry, trepidation, irritability and worse, and this is exactly what hangxiety is.
Hangxiety is common among drinkers, however its severity ranges from person to person according to a number of factors, such as tolerance levels,genetic predisposition, quantity (and quality) of alcohol consumed, and so on.
A hangover [1], and thus hangxiety, is a symptom of a single night of drinking.
However, symptoms are similar to Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome, the withdrawal a person undergoes after long-term alcohol consumption.
What are the Symptoms of Hangxiety?
Man suffering from the symptoms of hangxiety
Hangxiety is a symptom of a hangover.
However, the main symptoms of a hangover or hangxiety include anxiety,depression,irritability and trepidation, and it can even lead to more severe issues such as developing panic disorders and recurrent panic attacks.
If someone suffers from a panic attack while they are suffering from hangxiety, it makes them more proneto suffering morerecurrent panic attacks in the future, even when not suffering from Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome.
However, when someone is suffering from Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome as a result of long term drinking, it leaves them much more prone to developing a panic disorder. [2]
In addition to anxiety, people may suffer from typical hangover symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, headaches, dizziness and more, which can further exacerbate feelings of anxiety.
If a person is not getting sufficient sleep, nutrients or sunlight, it will worsen their hangxiety.
What Causes Hangxiety?
Black and white photo of a woman experiencing hangxiety
When someone is suffering from alcohol withdrawal or a hangover, they will suffer from discomforting symptoms such as nausea, headaches, dizziness, irritability, vomiting and more.
Typically, the more alcohol someone consumes, the worse their hangover or Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms will be.
However, one person could experience severe effects with far fewer drinks than another person due to the variety in alcohol tolerance levels between different people.
Binge drinking – drinking a high quantity of alcohol in one single period – will lead to greater hangover symptoms the following morning, such as hangxiety.
When we drink, our brains undergo chemical changes. Alcohol is a depressant, affecting our GABA and making us feel more relaxed and even drowsy.
While people drink alcohol as a form of social lubricant and as a way to feel more confident, it actually leads to heightened feelings of anxiety during and following the withdrawal stage.
This is because your brain is trying to restore the normal chemical balance, and is undergoing a deficiency in serotonin,dopamine and other chemicals.
Furthermore, kidneys and the liver work harder to flush out toxins such as ethanol, which leads to dehydration, further exacerbating discomforting symptoms.
Additionally, drinking alcohol reduces the effects of glutamate in our brain, which is responsible for learning, memory, and feelings of alertness.
This makes us feel more calm and relaxed temporarily, but worse when its euphoric effects wear off the following day.
Other Factors That Contribute to Hangxiety
Patient holding her head and struggling with hangxiety
There are many other factors to consider that can contribute to intensified feelings of hangxiety, such as:
Impaired sleep: While it may make you feel drowsy, consuming alcohol diminishes sleep quality. Alcohol can prohibit REM sleep, which is essential in cognitive functions such as rational thinking, memorisation, emotional processing and more. Impaired sleep – whether due to alcohol or not – can increase anxiety levels significantly. [4]
Pre-existing anxiety: If someone is suffering from a heightened sense of anxiety or an anxiety disorder, consuming alcohol will only intensify these symptoms during the withdrawal stages. According to studies from the UK Government, 71% of people [5] suffering from alcohol addiction require mental health treatment for conditions such as anxiety disorder.
Medication & Polydrug Use: The use of particular medications or other drugs can have a significant impact on our anxiety levels. Consuming more than one drug is called “polydrug use”. If someone is undergoing treatment for their anxiety, alcohol may impair its effects, as medication can affect the metabolization of alcohol. Additionally, other drugs such as cannabis are also depressants, and will further increase anxiety levels following withdrawal.
Vitamin D deficiency: Staying at home or in bed all day due to your hangover and hangxiety may lead to a Vitamin D deficiency, which can lead to symptoms such as mood swings and depression. [6]
Dehydration: Alcohol is a diuretic and consuming high amounts of alcohol will have you going to the bathroom frequently. There are strong links between dehydration and anxiety, [7] which can intensify hangxiety symptoms.
Nutrient deficiency: Going to the bathroom frequently can also lead to getting rid of important nutrients in your body. Paired with food cravings and poor eating habits following a night of drinking, nutrient deficiency can significantly affect your anxiety and mood levels.
How Long Does Hangxiety Last?
Man in pain from hangxiety
Symptoms of hangovers, such as nausea, vomiting, headaches, and hangxiety, are typically at their worst during the 24 hours following the night of alcohol consumption.
However, feelings of anxiety and other hangover symptoms can last up to around 72 hours.
It can last as long as days, affecting your sleep quality, mood quality, rational thinking and so on.
So, by the time people have truly recovered from their alcohol binge, it’s almost the weekend again, and they’re ready to start the cycle all over again and put their brains and bodies through the same damage that they did merely days ago.
So, a one-off binge drinking session may only affect you for a few days.
However, when you consistently engage in excessive drinking, there are many long-term issues to be concerned about, such as developing alcohol use disorder, suffering from alcohol-related liver disease,cognitive impairment,increased blood pressure (which can lead to heart attacks and stroke), and much more.
Long-Term Issues Associated with Alcohol Consumption and Hangxiety
Person holding their head and feeling the effects of hangxiety
The frequent and excessive consumption of drugs or alcohol can lead to drastic chemical changes in the brain.
According to the brain disease model of addiction, [8] addictive substances such as drugs and alcohol affect and activate the “reward pathways” or the “mesolimbic pathways” in the brain.
These pathways are responsible for making us feel pleasure and happiness when we complete or engage in rewarding tasks (e.g. sexual intercourse, eating, exercise).
However, while it may sound harmless, activating these reward pathways with addictive substances too often is physiologically unsustainable.
This form of behaviour will mould the reward pathways in a way which makes the person increasingly dependent on toxic substances in order to experience pleasure and happiness.
This means that whenever they are not drinking, or in a period of withdrawal, they will experience a deficiency in dopamine and will experience discomforting withdrawal symptoms.
So, these feelings of hangxiety and depression can persist for weeks if a person’s alcohol dependence has reached intense levels.
However, there are many complicated factors to consider.
People turn towards alcohol to relieve themselves of financial or occupational stress, reduce anxiety in social situations and more.
Additionally, alcohol is physically addictive, so while the solution is simple, it is not easy.
So, when you are suffering from hangxiety consider using these tips to reduce the symptoms and improve your wellbeing:
Breathing exercises: Breathing exercises come in many forms, such as box breathing, [9] or simply taking deeper breaths. [10] Slowing down your inhales and exhales can profoundly decrease your cortisol(stress) and anxiety levels, as well as improve your mood.
Meditation: Meditation also comes in different forms and often incorporates deep breathing. It also encourages you to be present in the moment and aware of your feelings. Rejecting your feelings will only exacerbate existing issues, and meditation can help you come to terms with what emotions you’re feeling.
Light exercise & sunlight: If you are in a physical state to do so, walking can be a great way to not only improve circulation but also to experience a different environment. Being stuck in your room or house can feel enclosing and claustrophobic, especially when you’re suffering from hangxiety. Going into open green spaces will help you by releasing serotonin and dopamine and helping you feel unconfined.
Express your feelings: If you are able to speak to a friend or a family member, do not shy away from expressing how you’re feeling. You don’t have to know why you are feeling anxious, but it’s important that you are aware of how you are feeling. Communicating openly with loved ones can help you externalise your feelings and gain perspective. Like therapy, journaling can also be a cathartic way to express your feelings and decrease anxiety levels. This can also help you put the night into perspective. People often worry or regret their behaviour the previous night, however, anxiety intensifies and exaggerates these feelings of paranoia.
Abstain from alcohol: The most simple solution is to stop consuming alcohol, however, given its addictive properties,social pressures and so on, it can be difficult to do so.
Eat before going out: Eating before going out will help you absorb and break down the alcohol in a way where it will impact you less. Drinking on an empty stomach will only intensify the speed and intoxicating effects of alcohol.
Drink water between each drink: Drinking water between each alcoholic beverage that you consume will not only dilute the alcohol in your system but it will also slow down the pace at which you consume alcohol. Furthermore, it will minimise the dehydration that you will experience.
Pace yourself: Be sure to pace yourself accordingly. Drinking high quantities intensely will only increase your level of intoxication, and therefore your hangover symptoms.
Set boundaries: Don’t be afraid to say “no” to other people. It can be intimidating being the only person who is not drinking or is limiting their consumption on a given night. While people may question your decision, it is more of a reflection on themselves because they are not showing the same level of discipline as yourself.
Avoid polydrug use: Don’t consume other drugs while you are consuming alcohol, as this can greatly affect chemicals in the brain and body. This can intensify the “come down” and hangover the following morning.
Learn more about your drinking habits: Be willing to learn more about why you drink the way that you do. Some people drink heavily and quickly in order to combat social anxiety. Learning more about your drinking patterns can allow you to find new solutions and face underlying problems, rather than masking them with alcohol.
Seek help: It’s important to address alcohol dependence early, before it becomes too intense and embedded in your lifestyle. If you are concerned that you are suffering from some form of alcohol dependence or addiction, you should reach out to a drug and alcohol rehab in order to receive professional support.
Overcoming Long-Term Drug and Alcohol Addiction
Patient talking to a therapist about hangxiety
Overcoming drug and alcohol addiction may seem like a daunting task.
However, it can be simplified into just a few stages.
Here is how you can overcome a drug and alcohol addiction.
Contact Rehab 4 Addiction: You can contact Rehab 4 Addiction by dialling the number 0800 140 4690 from the UK or +44 345 222 3508 internationally. When you contact us, you will be greeted with a friendly admissions officer who will ask about your unique circumstances, preferences and requirements. When you’re ready, you’ll complete a swift health assessment to help us determine the appropriate steps for your unique needs.
Go to rehab: Following the health assessment and only when you’re ready, you can enter a drug and alcohol rehab in your preferred location. A consultant psychiatrist and addiction specialist will help identify the most optimal rehab facility for your recovery.
Undergo a personalised recovery programme: At a drug and alcohol rehab, patients will undergo a personalised recovery programme. Here, they will be treated through a range of therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Holistic Therapy, Family Therapy, and more. These therapy sessions are uniquely tailored in order to treat your specific condition. Each of these therapies will address your addiction in different ways, optimising your recovery.
Undergo aftercare: Addiction recovery is not achieved overnight. Once you finish your recovery programme, you will undergo an aftercare programme. An aftercare programme typically consists of counselling, attending support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous sessions, engaging with the 12-step programme and more. This can help you sustain a lifestyle of sobriety.
Live a sober and healthy life: The knowledge gained from rehab and the continued support received in your aftercare programme will help support your newfound sobriety. While addiction recovery is hard, we each have the prerequisite will and knowledge to be sober, as we all once were.
Overcome Hangxiety and Combat Drug and Alcohol Addiction Today
Person looking for help with hangxiety
It is never too early or too late to start our recovery journey.
Alcohol dependence is a spectrum, and the sooner you seek help, the easier and more swift your recovery will be.
Reach out to Rehab 4 Addiction today by calling 0800 140 4690 to gain insight into the addiction recovery process.
Reaching out to us allows you to understand the recovery process more, and we will only move at your pace.
Boris is our editor-in-chief at Rehab 4 Addiction. Boris is an addiction expert with more than 20 years in the field. His expertise covers a broad of topics relating to addiction, rehab and recovery. Boris is an addiction therapist and assists in the alcohol detox and rehab process. Boris has been featured on a variety of websites, including the BBC, Verywell Mind and Healthline. You can connect with Boris online at LinkedIn or X.com.
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