Alcohol-induced short depression

When one drinks alcohol the effects typically are felt even after the traditional hangover the day after has passed. One calls this alcohol-induced short depression because it is a short-lasting but noticeable change in behaviour and feeling.

Most people talk about the dreaded hangover day. One day where everything is in recovery mode, after which one feels fine again. If that only were the case: to drink alcohol one day and have one off-day the day after. Then the deal would be worth it. However, in one’s experience that does not seem to be the case.

Overall energy, certainty, and quality of thoughts seem to be affected many days after drinking. This is not based on any studies, simply from one's own experience.

One can get some understanding of how one feels simply by paying attention to how many negative thoughts appear vs. realistic thoughts. Negative thoughts usually take the form of stressing over things that are not necessary, making assumptions of what others are thinking etc. Realistic thoughts, on the other hand, are more based in reality. They can be positive or negative but are are more reflective of how reality actually is. The ratio between them- Negative/Realistic thoughts — let's call it the negative thought ratio.

This negative thought ratio is much higher many days after drinking, as much as 3–4 days. The amount of negative thoughts causes more uncertainty and makes it harder to function because one needs a lot of awareness to not indulge in them. It takes a brief moment of realization that a thought is an extra negative thought that has little to do with reality. If one is aware, these thoughts have little effect and disappear as fast as they appear. However, all it takes is one lapse in awareness and there is an unnecessary dive into this negative thought space of uncertainty. Maybe it is one case of how depression feels like, it is hard to say.

Overall this view with alcohol-induced short depression makes it much harder to justify drinking. When is it truly worth it? Sometimes, yes. It is a sacrifice for one’s wellbeing in order to be more relaxed and enjoyable for one day. Sometimes it is worth sacrifice. Most of the time, however, it is questionable. You be the judge.

Thanks for reading.