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Binge drinking is also heavily linked to anger management issues, with those who drink less frequently but in much larger amounts being more prone to anger than those who drink less but more often. There is a well-documented link between alcohol abuse and aggression or violence. A report by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Addiction (NIAAA) confirms that about 50% of sexual assault crimes involved individuals who had been drinking alcohol when the offense occurred.
This is part of our ongoing commitment to ensure FHE Health is trusted as a leader in mental health and addiction care. If you or your child displays behavior that harms or endangers others, such as other people or animals, it’s important to find immediate care. Fluoxetine (a selective serotonin reuptake alcoholic rage syndrome inhibitor, or SSRI) is the most studied medication for treating intermittent explosive disorder. Other medications that have been studied for IED include phenytoin, lithium, oxcarbazepine and carbamazepine. After someone has successfully detoxed, they will follow an individualized treatment plan.
Remember, quitting a substance cold turkey can lead to health issues, so it’s best to enlist professional help. This aggressive behavior may result in other issues, such as verbal abuse. If drinking causes a blackout, you may not even remember being aggressive unless someone reminds you about it.
If you have a natural tendency to be angry, drinking alcohol may cause you to become aggressive. For example, some cases of domestic violence have turned fatal because one person refused to leave when their partner was being abusive to them. In some cases, you can’t change an angry drunk, and you need to make the decision that’s right for you and other members of the household, especially children. The ultimate goal is to help them get into a treatment program that addresses their substance abuse and the way it causes them to behave.
You should not approach someone about having a problem if they do not display some or all of these behaviors. If someone that you know is showing the signs below, it may be time to talk to their doctor or approach them about receiving help from a substance abuse or mental health professional. Additionally, even people not struggling with a substance use disorder can experience anger and these other emotions. There can be negative thoughts or experiences when recovering alcoholics compare their old heavy drinking lifestyle to their new sober lifestyle.
There’s no better way to put it — properly addressing alcohol-fueled aggression is crucial for your well-being and relationships. By seeking recovery for problems with alcohol and anger, you can work toward a more positive life. These days, people who misuse alcohol can enroll in various treatment programs, whether you choose the 12-step approach or decide to enter residential treatment. If you’re looking for help getting started, it’s wise to speak with your physician first. According to research compiled by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, alcohol use is a considerable contributing factor to sexual assault. Similarly, in nearly 40% of violent incidents, surveyed individuals from the United Kingdom said they believed their perpetrator was under the influence of alcohol.
Becoming angry when intoxicated can lead to domestic violence incidents. In a WHO assessment on domestic violence and alcohol, 55% of surveyed Americans stated they thought their partner was intoxicated during a physical assault. In most cases, women are at a higher risk of experiencing alcohol-related domestic violence from male partners.
Unfortunately, quitting something that’s become an addiction isn’t as easy as simply making the decision to stop. A “crazy drunk person” is one who drinks excessively and frequently due to alcoholism. Because they’re naturally predisposed to be angry when they drink, this becomes a key part of their personality because they can’t control their drinking or their temper. Alcohol effects the prefrontal cortex of the brain, the region that moderates things like decision-making. What this means is that people whose personalities make them naturally quicker to become angry than others are even more likely to lose control under the influence of alcohol.
Psychotherapy is the core treatment element in most alcohol rehab programs. Therapy sessions will be offered in both one-on-one and small group formats. CBT is used to help the alcohol focus on making important behavioral changes. Attending one-on-one therapy with a licensed therapist can help you work through anger issues in a more private setting. Scheduling an appointment with a professional who specializes in anger management may be more beneficial than participating in group therapy if you have social anxiety. When you heavily consume alcohol, your prefrontal cortex becomes damaged, altering your decision-making capabilities.
Under the influence of alcohol, those already predisposed toward anger may vent or, more seriously, direct their anger toward a target that might be experienced as less threatening than the original target. I’ve observed this pattern over several decades in helping clients deal with anger. This disinhibiting aspect of alcohol in effect paves the way for feelings to dominate thoughts and behavior.
This can often be a result of affected brain function from alcohol, rather than simply a personality issue that makes a person angry when drunk. This national study on alcohol consumption and domestic violence found that up to 40% of the men and 34% of the women who were violent with their partners were drinking alcohol. Intermittent explosive disorder involves repeated, sudden episodes of impulsive, aggressive, violent behavior or angry verbal outbursts in which you react grossly out of proportion to the situation. Road rage, domestic abuse, throwing or breaking objects, or other temper tantrums may be signs of intermittent explosive disorder. Sixty-eight percent of the dependent and abstainers’ perceived anger as negative emotion and 76% in control perceived it as negative. Majority of the dependent and abstainers attributed it to personal reasons (persisting irritation, frustration, negative attitude toward the alcohol users, decrease communication with others).
