Since substances of abuse tend to lower inhibitions and reduce impulse control, that anger can be released in an unhealthy and potentially even dangerous manner when someone has had too much to drink or is under the influence of another substance of abuse. In this review, based on a selective search for pertinent literature in PubMed, we analyze and summarize information from original articles, reviews, and book chapters about alcohol and aggression and discuss the neurobiological basis of aggressive behavior. If you or someone you love is battling aggression and alcohol misuse, help is available. Consult with a mental health professional and/or an addiction specialist who can provide resources and recommendations for treatment options.
At Gateway Foundation, we offer dual diagnosis treatment, which focuses on treating co-occurring disorders to improve the chances of recovery and prevent future relapse. Many of these symptoms occur because alcohol is a diuretic, which encourages water loss through urine and causes dehydration. Dehydration contributes to most hangover symptoms, especially if you forget to hydrate while you’re drinking. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that alcohol interferes with a person’s cognitive and physical functioning, inhibiting self-control and making it more difficult for a person to recognize when things have gone too far.
Addressing the Connection Between Anger and Alcoholism at the Same Time
Investigation of sex differences in neural correlates of aggression using 22 male and 20 female subjects revealed differential brain activation patterns between both the genders in response to provocation. Aggressive men recorded higher activation of the left amygdala than aggressive women and a positive correlation with orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), rectal gyrus, and ACC activity, which was negatively correlated in women. The findings indicate that aggressive men are more inclined to automatic emotion regulation (attributed to OFC and rectal gyrus) in response to provocation compared to aggressive women (Repple et al., 2018). In a separate study involving 24 men and 11 women, alcohol alone had no effect on the amygdala and ventral striatum; however, their activities were positively correlated with aggression in response to provocation. Alcohol decreased their bold responses in the right PFC, thalamus, hippocampus, caudate, and putamen. Neither gender had any significant impact on the results (Gan et al., 2015).
Some people are more prone to trouble controlling their anger while drinking than others. People who are more focused on the present than the future are more likely to become angry and aggressive under the influence of alcohol, for example, Science alcohol depression and anger Daily publishes. Additionally, those who already have difficulties with executive functions and impulse control are more liable to become angry, aggressive, and violent when their self-regulatory skills are further impaired by alcohol, ABC warns.
Anger and substance abuse: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Studies into the development of alcohol-related violence over time in problem drinkers have shown that the occurrence of aggression is increased following heavy, acute alcohol consumption. Two studies in prison inmates have reported that acute alcohol consumption occurring in the context of arrest correlated with an increased likelihood of violent offenses (12, 13). Unlike acute alcohol intoxication, however, chronic drinking behavior and drinking patterns in the 12 months before the offense did not differ between violent and non-violent criminals.