What is Hangxiety?
Table of Contents
- What is Hangxiety?
- What Causes Hangxiety?
- What Happens to the Body When You Drink Alcohol
- Drinking Alcohol to Deal with Social Anxiety
- The Most Common Hangover Symptoms
- How to Manage Hangxiety
- How to Prevent Hangxiety
- Recognizing an Alcohol Use Disorder
- Alcohol Addiction Treatment Programs
- FAQ’s About Hangxiety:
- Get Help to Stop Drinking Today!
If you’ve ever experienced a night of heavy drinking, chances are you’ve woken up with a feeling of dread. This dysphoric state, commonly known as hangover anxiety, or ‘hangxiety,’ is a form of anxiety that can be triggered after a night of drinking.
Hangxiety is an intense feeling of anxiety that can be both physically and mentally draining. It is not uncommon to experience feelings of guilt, shame, and regret. Some of the physical symptoms of hangxiety include nausea, sweating, and a racing heart.
Keep reading to learn more about hangover anxieties, how to curb them, and how to get effective treatment for alcohol if drinking has become a source of problems in your life!
What Causes Hangxiety?
The exact cause of hangxiety is still unknown, but there are a few theories. Some believe that it is a result of the body’s response to the increase in toxins that occur when we drink. Others believe that it is a psychological reaction to the psychological effects of alcohol, such as lowered inhibitions and decreased cognitive functioning.
What Happens to the Body When You Drink Alcohol
Alcohol is a depressant drug that affects the body in a variety of ways. It is absorbed quickly into the bloodstream, and its effects can be felt almost immediately. It is important to understand the potential risks of drinking alcohol and to be aware of how it can affect your body.
When alcohol is consumed, it is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream, where it travels to all parts of the body. It affects the central nervous system, which controls a person’s ability to think, feel, and act. It can cause changes in a person’s mood, behavior, and overall perception of reality.
The most immediate effects of alcohol are felt in the brain, and it is not truly possible to flush alcohol from your urine or system unless time elapses. It can cause short-term memory loss, impaired judgment, and increased risk-taking behavior. Alcohol also slows the user’s reaction time, making it difficult to concentrate or make decisions.
When drinking, the body’s ability to process and absorb nutrients, as well as its ability to eliminate toxins is also slowed. This can lead to dehydration, vitamin deficiencies, and an increased risk for certain illnesses.
Over time, excessive drinking can put a person at risk for developing liver disease, certain cancers, and even heart disease. Alcohol can also affect a person’s physical appearance.
Excessive drinking can lead to weight gain, as well as changes in the skin, hair, and nails. It can also cause a person to become more prone to bruising and bleeding, as well as to developing sores and infections.
The effects of alcohol vary from person to person. It is important to be aware of the potential risks of drinking and to drink responsibly. If you think you may have a problem with alcohol, it is important to seek help as soon as possible.
Drinking Alcohol to Deal with Social Anxiety
Many individuals who struggle with social anxiety find that having a drink or two can help reduce their anxiety symptoms and make it easier to function in social drinking situations. Alcohol can lower a user’s inhibitions, reduce shyness, and act as “liquid courage,” making socializing and being out a much easier task for some people.
In fact, many people will use alcohol not just as a social lubricant, but to deal with uncomfortable feelings. More often than not, those are caused by underlying mental health conditions. In these cases, the person will drink to ease their physical or emotional pain.
However, this is not an effective solution. Once the effects of alcohol wear off, their anxiety or other uncomfortable feelings will come back in full swing, and sometimes even worse than they were before the individual started drinking.
There is also the risk of developing emotional and physical hangover symptoms, and not just feelings of anxiety. After what may seem like a fun evening of excessive alcohol consumption or binge drinking at the time, individuals may develop a number of uncomfortable symptoms.
The Most Common Hangover Symptoms
While everyone’s hangover experience may differ, generally speaking, some of the usual physical symptoms and physiological effects of a hangover include:
- Muscle aches
- Pounding headache
- Sleep deprivation
- Nausea
- Stomach cramps
- Anxiety symptoms (feeling off, nervous, etc)
How to Manage Hangxiety
Hangovers are an unpleasant part of life for many people. After a night of drinking, it can be difficult to function the next day due to the symptoms of a hangover. While there is no set hangxiety cure, with the right techniques and strategies, it is possible to manage a Monday hangover and get through the day.
Hydrate Yourself
The first step in managing a hangover is to rehydrate. This is important since drinking alcohol tends to cause dehydration. Drink plenty of water to replenish lost fluids and electrolytes, and consider drinking a sports drink to replace lost salts. Additionally, avoid any drinks that contain caffeine, as this can worsen dehydration.
Eat Balanced Meals
The next step is to eat a light meal. Eating something that is easy to digest can help settle your stomach and provide energy. Try to choose something that is high in carbohydrates and low in fat, such as toast, crackers, or oatmeal. Certain foods can help reduce alcohol cravings and even hangovers.
If you are feeling nauseous, try nibbling on dry foods such as crackers or toast. It is important to avoid greasy or processed foods, as these can be harder to digest, and may make your hangover symptoms worse.
Get Plenty of Rest
It is also important to take it easy and get some rest. Try to avoid any strenuous activities and instead focus on taking things slow. Lie down and rest as much as possible, and try to get some sleep if you can. If you need to be active, try taking a short walk or doing some light stretching.
Finally, try to avoid drinking alcohol the next day. This will give your body time to recover and restore its natural balance. If you do decide to drink, make sure you are drinking in moderation and staying hydrated.
Remember, it is important to take care of yourself and not push your body too hard. With a bit of rest and hydration, you should start to feel better soon.
How to Prevent Hangxiety
After dealing with hangover-related anxiety, many people may find themselves reluctant to drink again. Of course, consuming alcohol in moderation and around friends can be an enjoyable and normal activity.
For social drinkers, finding ways to manage their hangxiety can help them avoid the negative effects of a previous night out on the town. Fortunately, there are ways to avoid hangxiety. Of course, if you regularly experience anxiety in your daily life, or even two day hangovers, your best cure will be to avoid drinking altogether.
With that being said, you can avoid many hangover symptoms, including hangxiety, the morning after by:
- Avoiding Drinking on an Empty Stomach: When drinking without eating, alcohol is absorbed into your system more quickly, which can cause you to become intoxicated faster and result in a hangover the following day.
- Drinking in Measured Levels: While having one alcoholic drink or two is, in most cases, perfectly fine for a night out, having a few drinks can increase your likelihood of becoming intoxicated and having a hangover the next day.
- Staying Hydrated: Drinking alcohol can cause dehydration, which is what is believed to be the main cause of hangovers. Making sure to drink enough water after each alcoholic beverage can help you avoid feeling hungover in the morning.
Recognizing an Alcohol Use Disorder
Alcohol addiction is a serious and progressive problem that can severely impact an individual’s physical and mental health, relationships, and overall quality of life. It is estimated that nearly 16 million adults in the United States suffer from alcohol use disorder (AUD), and many more are at risk of developing an addiction.
Recognizing the signs of an alcohol addiction and alcohol withdrawal can help an individual take the necessary steps to seek help and start the journey to recovery. Some of the most common signs of alcohol addiction include the following:
- Compulsive drinking: This is defined as a pattern of drinking that is compulsive, despite the negative consequences that may result. This could include drinking even when it is not safe to do so or drinking more than intended.
- Withdrawal symptoms: These are physical and mental symptoms that occur when an individual stops drinking. These can include tremors, headaches, nausea, insomnia, irritability, and depression.
- Loss of control: An individual with an alcohol addiction may find that he or she is unable to control the amount of alcohol consumed.
- Increased alcohol tolerance: Someone who abuses alcohol may find that he or she needs to drink more in order to feel the same effects.
- Neglecting responsibilities: Those with an alcohol addiction may find that they are neglecting responsibilities such as work, school, or family obligations in order to drink.
If you or someone you know is exhibiting any of these signs, it is important to seek help as soon as possible. Treatment for alcohol addiction typically includes a combination of therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes. It is important to remember that recovery is possible and that help is available.
Alcohol Addiction Treatment Programs
Addiction can be a vicious cycle and an incredibly difficult thing to overcome. It can take a tremendous amount of willpower and grit to break free from the chains of addiction and lead a healthy, productive life. Fortunately, there are a number of treatments and support systems available to those struggling with addiction.
The first step in treating an addiction is to seek professional help. Addiction treatment centers offer a variety of services designed to help people break free from their alcohol dependence and lead healthy, productive lives.
Treatment centers can provide counseling, medication, and other forms of treatment to help individuals overcome their alcohol withdrawal symptoms and address the underlying causes of their substance abuse. This will usually include alcohol detox programs, in which recovering individuals will be constantly supervised and supported by medical professionals.
Overcoming Alcohol Dependency with Help
Establishing a strong support network will also be an important part of treating addiction. A sober support network can provide both emotional and practical support to help individuals stay on track and stay motivated to recover.
Friends, family members, and even online support groups can be helpful in this regard. It is important to identify and avoid relapse triggers that may cause an individual to relapse into their addiction.
Triggers can be anything from certain people, places, or activities that the individual associates with their addiction. It is important to identify and avoid these triggers in order to stay on track.
Self-care is an important part of recovery from addiction. This includes engaging in activities that are both enjoyable and beneficial such as exercising, eating healthy, getting plenty of rest, and engaging in hobbies.
Addiction can be a difficult thing to overcome, but with the right treatment and support, it is possible to break free from its clutches. You can speak with a Rehabs Of Armerica representative today to get help starting your recovery journey now!
FAQ’s About Hangxiety:
Why Doesn’t Everyone Get Hangover Anxiety?
Just as drinking alcohol can affect people differently, so too can hangovers. Hangxiety occurs most commonly in those who already feel anxious on a regular basis. These individuals may struggle with chronic anxiety or other mental health conditions, making them more prone to psychological symptoms when hungover.
What Causes Hangovers?
The primary cause of a hangover is the consumption of alcohol. Alcohol is a toxin, so when you drink it, your body must work hard to break it down. As a result, your liver releases enzymes that break the alcohol down into acetaldehyde, which is a toxic byproduct.
This can cause nausea, fatigue, and other common hangover symptoms. In addition to the toxic byproducts of alcohol, hangovers can also be caused by other factors.
For example, drinking too quickly can cause your body to become dehydrated, and dehydration can worsen the symptoms of a hangover. Drinking on an empty stomach can also increase your risk of a hangover, as can drinking certain types of alcohol, such as whiskey or red wine.
Get Help to Stop Drinking Today!
If you are struggling with alcohol or any form of addiction and want to put your hangover days behind you, the Rehabs Of Armerica team is here to help. Our network of treatment facilities and recovery resources can help you overcome your addiction and get your life back on track.
Call our 24/7 hotline to get answers to all of your treatment questions, and get started on your recovery journey today!
Anna M. joined Find Addiction Rehabs with extensive experience in the field of addiction treatment. As a former Nurse Practitioner in Miami, she found her passion for addiction treatment when a family member was lost to his disease. With each article and resource, she hopes to save other families from experiencing the anguish of a loved one’s passing due to drinking or drugs.