Author: Lara

It’s no secret that alcohol affects different people in different ways. Some people become more outgoing after they have consumed alcohol, while others become more withdrawn. As they continue to drink, some people appear to become happier, while others descend into despair. What causes these changes? For example, why do some people get angry when drunk?

Why Do People Get Angry When They Get Drunk?

Multiple studies have established an association between alcohol intoxication and anger. However, determining the mechanism of this cause-effect relationship has proved to be difficult. 

In other words, the data is clear that negative emotions such as anger and irritability often increase when a person drinks – but researchers have not yet conclusively answered the question, “Why do people get angry when drunk?”

One theory is that alcohol doesn’t cause anger, but it exacerbates this emotion in people who are already prone to angry outbursts. 

Here’s how this phenomenon is described by the authors of a December 15 article in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment: “Anger, alcohol, and aggression relationships have been demonstrated in various laboratory paradigms where those high on trait anger and aggressiveness tend to engage in greater aggression when provoked and under the influence of alcohol.”

The December 15 article noted that people with alcohol use disorder (the clinical term for alcoholism) typically score higher on anger and aggression assessments than those without a history of compulsive alcohol abuse.

Will People Who Get Angry When Drunk Ever Change?

In addition to the question, “Why do people get angry when drunk?” an important related query is “Will someone who gets angry when drunk ever change?”

Considering the research that we mentioned in the previous section, the effort to reduce a person’s propensity for angry outbursts when drinking can hinge on two factors:

• Getting them to end or significantly reduce their alcohol use
• Helping them develop effective anger management strategies

Without achieving these goals, it’s unlikely that someone who gets angry when drunk will show significant behavioral changes. However, with the right guidance and support to manage their anger and limit alcohol intake, they can improve.

What Do I Do if My Spouse Gets Angry When Drunk?

If your spouse or partner often gets angry when drunk, it can deeply affect your peace of mind and relationship. Here are a few tips that may help:

• First, do what you need to do to protect yourself. If your spouse or partner becomes aggressive when angry and drunk, get somewhere safe until they are no longer intoxicated.
• Even if they aren’t aggressive or violent, you can’t reason with them while they’re under the influence of alcohol. Also know that you don’t have to subject yourself to threats or other forms of verbal harassment. You can remove yourself from the situation, just as you would do if you were in physical danger.
• When your loved one is sober, talk to them about your concerns. Depending on how alcohol affects them, they may not realize or remember how they act when drunk. This doesn’t excuse their actions, but it may highlight the severity of their alcohol problem.
• Emphasize that they need professional treatment for both their alcohol abuse and poor anger management skills. Offer to help them research treatment options and emphasize your love and support. Make it clear they need help for their health and the stability of your relationship.

Types of Treatment for When Alcohol Becomes a Problem

If you don’t like how you act when you’re under the influence of alcohol, the quick answer is to stop drinking. But for many people, this quick answer is far from easy. If you have developed an addiction, it can be extremely painful – and even dangerous – to abruptly end your alcohol use.

With effective professional help, you can eliminate alcohol from your body and make lifestyle changes that support successful recovery.

Depending on how your body and mind have been impacted by alcohol, your path to improved health may include receiving care in one or more of the following programs:

• Detoxification: Alcohol detox is a short-term program that can help you get through withdrawal. Detox professionals may offer both medical and therapeutic support to ease your distress and safeguard your health.
• Inpatient rehab: At the inpatient level of care, you will live at the facility where you are receiving treatment. Inpatient rehab features various therapies, comfortable rooms, nutritious meals, and 24/7 supervision by skilled professionals.
• Outpatient treatment: In an outpatient rehab program, you only need to be at the facility when treatment is in session. This provides ample opportunities to practice your skills in a real-world setting while maintaining structured, personalized clinical care.

Some people step down to outpatient treatment for additional support after completing detox and inpatient rehab. Others forgo detox, or transition directly from detox to outpatient treatment. There is no single perfect course of treatment for alcohol addiction. What’s most important is finding the programming that best meets your specific needs.

Contact Our Los Angeles Rehab Center at Sanctuary Treatment Center

Sanctuary Treatment Center is a respected provider of personalized services for adults in the Los Angeles area whose lives have been disrupted by addictions to alcohol and other drugs. Our dedicated treatment professionals can assess the full scope of your needs, then develop the customized programming that will put you on the path to successful, long-term recovery. When you’re ready to start living the healthier life you deserve, the Sanctuary Treatment Center team is here for you. To learn more or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Contact Us page or call us today.

Experts estimate that 5%-10% of the population will develop stomach ulcers. Even though millions of people have ulcers, this medical condition remains widely misunderstood. For example, many people ask, Do certain foods cause ulcers? Others wonder, can alcohol cause stomach ulcers?

What Are Stomach Ulcers?

Stomach ulcers, which are also referred to as peptic ulcers, are sores or raw areas that occur in the lining of the stomach or the small intestine. 

When an ulcer occurs in the lining of the stomach, it is described as a gastric ulcer. When it is located in the small intestine, it is classified as a duodenal ulcer.

Burning stomach pain is the most common indicator that a person has a peptic ulcer. Ulcers can be successfully treated with a variety of medications, though in certain extreme cases surgery may be required.

Can Alcohol Cause Stomach Ulcers?

Can alcohol cause stomach ulcers? Most experts say no.

The two most common causes of stomach ulcers are bacterial infections and the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs):

• The Helicobacter pylori (or H. pylori) bacterium is a prime cause of peptic ulcers. According to the Cleveland Clinic, 50%-75% of people throughout the world have this bacterium in their system – but for most people, it thankfully doesn’t cause any ill effects.
• The NSAID category includes aspirin and ibuprofen. Long-term use of these drugs, using them in greater amounts than recommended, or taking them in combination with certain other medications can lead to ulcers.

Heavy drinking can be a risk factor for ulcers, and continued alcohol abuse can exacerbate the symptoms of ulcers and prevent them from healing properly. However, the general medical consensus is that alcohol use is unlikely to be a direct cause of a peptic ulcer.

If alcohol can’t cause stomach ulcers, why is it considered to be a risk factor? The primary reason for this is that chronic alcohol abuse can lead to an inflammation in the lining of the stomach. This condition is known as gastritis. Having gastritis can be a precursor to developing a peptic ulcer.

How to Know if You Have a Stomach Ulcer?

Many people who have stomach ulcers don’t experience any symptoms, at least not at first. When symptoms do occur, they are likely to include the following:

• Indigestion
• Abdominal pain
• Abdominal bloating
• Heartburn
• Quickly feeling full when eating
• Nausea and vomiting
• Excessive belching or burping

Some people experience more severe symptoms and/or complications from stomach ulcers. As reported by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Issues (NIDDK), which is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), these symptoms and complications can include the following:

• Bloody, black, or tarry stool
• Blood in vomit
• Vomit that looks like coffee grounds
• Severe, sharp abdominal pain that occurs suddenly and doesn’t dissipate
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Fainting
• Elevated pulse

If you have a stomach ulcer and you keep drinking, the continued presence of alcohol in your stomach or lower intestine can irritate the ulcer. This can increase your risk for more intense suffering, as well as the development of symptoms or complications such as the ones listed above.

The NIDDK advises that anyone who has severe symptoms of an ulcer should get immediate medical attention.

What To Do if Drinking Alcohol Has Created an Ulcer?

Anyone who develops an ulcer for any reason should stop drinking alcohol. As we noted in the previous two sections, continued alcohol use can make ulcer symptoms more painful, cause the ulcer to worsen, and prevent healing. 

If you have been living with alcohol use disorder (which is the clinical term for alcoholism), it may not be easy to quit drinking. But it is still necessary. In this case, getting professional care from an alcohol addiction treatment center may be the ideal choice.

Treatment for compulsive alcohol abuse can take many forms, including detoxification, inpatient rehab, and outpatient programming. 

Detox can help you get through alcohol withdrawal safely and with as little discomfort as possible. During inpatient and outpatient care, you can begin to understand the issues that may have contributed to your alcohol abuse, while also developing the skills that will support your successful recovery.

Depending on the severity of your symptoms and which level of care you are in, customized treatment for alcohol addiction may include elements such as the following:

• Medication
• Individual, group, and family therapy
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR)

Contact Our Alcohol Addiction Treatment Center in Los Angeles, CA

It’s important to realize that there’s no single path to recovery that’s right for every person. When you’re looking for addiction treatment, focus on finding a provider whose services and treatment philosophy align with your needs and goals.

Worsening stomach ulcers are just one of the many negative effects that can result from untreated alcohol addiction. The longer you remain trapped in the downward spiral of alcoholism, the greater your risk becomes for devastating physical, psychological, and social consequences. 

But when you choose Sanctuary Treatment Center, you can stop drinking and start living a much healthier and more hopeful life. At our alcohol addiction treatment center in Los Angeles, California, you will receive customized services and comprehensive support from a team of highly skilled professionals. With our help, you can build a solid foundation for successful, long-term recovery.

When you’re ready to get started, the Sanctuary team is here for you. To learn more or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Contact Us page or call us today.