You love them from the bottom of your heart, but the anger and rage when they drink can be too much to handle. It makes you wonder: 

  • Why does the rage occur?
  • Why can their personality change in a heartbeat?
  • If this person says they care about me, why are they mean to me when they drink?
  • Why is their behavior so different and out of control after a few beers than when they’re not drinking?
  • Is this their true personality and emotions, or could it be the alcohol talking?
  • Can it be fixed, or should I consider ending the relationship?

Read further to understand alcoholism and associated rage syndrome, why it may be occurring, and how it is possible to turn things around with help and recovery.

Table of Contents

What Is Alcohol Rage Syndrome?

Alcohol overuse or misuse can lead individuals to do or say things they would never consider had alcohol not been in the equation.

Potential behaviors of someone experiencing alcoholic rage include:

  • Unpredictable or sudden outbursts
  • Emotional instability
  • Physical or violent behavior
  • Verbally abusive language
  • Irrational behaviors or actions

The professionals at New Growth Recovery understand the struggle of experiencing negative behaviors and are ready to provide compassionate and confidential assistance to individuals and their loved ones. Request a confidential call today. 

Why Alcohol May Fuel Anger and Aggression

The Impact of Alcohol on the Brain’s Emotional Centers

As you drink, alcohol enters your bloodstream and travels throughout your body, where it impacts your organs and all body systems –– but the most profound effects from alcohol occur in your brain.

If minor amounts of alcohol are consumed, you may feel lighthearted or “buzzed.” However, alcohol is a depressant, and drinking too much at one time or regularly consuming larger amounts negatively affects our nervous systems.

When consuming alcohol, emotions can become heightened in potentially extreme ways. For example, if someone begins drinking when they’re feeling lonely or sad, they may discover that alcohol leaves them more desolate and distressed than before they began drinking.

From a more scientific standpoint, what actually happens in our brains when we drink alcohol?

  1. Dopamine increases, causing happy or giddy feelings.
  2. Serotonin decreases, and emotional regulation abilities are reduced.
  3. You might experience calming effects similar to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that inhibits communication between nerve cells.
  4. Glutamine, which has a stimulating effect, is hindered.
  5. GABA is metabolized and converted primarily to glutamine, resulting in excitement or potential anger and rage.
  6. The prefrontal cortex is the portion of the brain that is responsible for higher-level cognition, decision-making, memory, and impulse control. Alcohol can affect its functioning, potentially leading to risky behaviors, short-term memory impairments, and difficulty processing emotions.
  7. Alcohol can also impair the functioning of the amygdala, another portion of the brain that helps to process emotions and social cues. Chronic alcohol consumption may lead to permanent changes in the amygdala, potentially contributing to alcohol dependence and increased anxiety.

As with any substance, each individual responds in different ways, but anger or aggression may be the predominant response for some people.

Typically, anger will lead to aggression unless something happens to resolve the situation. If an intoxicated person becomes upset, a consoling friend might calm them down. If no one can defuse the tension, they may become aggressive or escalate into a rage.

It is not uncommon for those who deal with anger issues to become aggressive while drinking. This is not always the result, but it is more likely to happen.

Unprocessed Trauma and Emotional Suppression

Childhood and emotional trauma often result in mental health concerns such as anxiety and depression, and some will turn to substance use, such as alcohol, to numb or temporarily erase mental pain.

Generally speaking, trauma is often present before the onset of alcohol dependence. The suppressed or unaddressed emotions may later erupt into episodes of rage and anger — especially when alcohol is consumed.

How Alcoholic Rage Syndrome Affects Relationships and Mental Health

Relationships with spouses, children, friends, and coworkers can become strained with negative behaviors or angry outbursts.

At times, it is hard for loved ones to understand that addiction is not a choice, but a medical condition that requires professional assistance to treat.

Relationship strain from alcoholism and rage syndrome may include the following:

  • Trust issues
  • Feeling of shame
  • Frequent apologies and broken promises
  • Denial of addiction
  • Emotional distancing

The professionals at New Growth Recovery understand relationship difficulties related to alcoholism and rage syndrome. Contact us to begin to recover your life today.

Is It Rage… or Something Deeper? Signs To Watch For

Warning Signs in Yourself or a Loved One

Coping with alcoholism may result in frequent mood swings, mental health issues, and difficult or damaging behaviors for the individual. This emotional roller coaster of alcohol abuse not only affects the struggling individual but also extends to their loved ones and friends, causing distress and often damaging relationships.

Beware of these five symptoms of alcohol abuse that may lead to rage, and know where to find help:

  1. Impulsivity
    • When someone struggles with impulse control, they are unable to resist engaging in behaviors that cause harm to themselves or others.
    • Although impulse control and alcohol abuse are separate disorders, they often share common features. They are deemed co-occurring disorders — the presence of both substance use and a mental health issue.
    • Studies report that up to 50% of people diagnosed with impulse disorders also suffer from substance abuse.
  2. Impaired judgment
    • Alcohol tends to lower inhibitions and increase impulsivity, but it also impairs the frontal lobe and prefrontal cortex. These are the parts of the brain that control higher-level cognitive processes like planning, reasoning, and problem-solving.
    • This means that alcohol not only impacts decision-making, but it also distorts a person’s sense of judgment to make wise decisions.
  3. Lowered inhibitions
    • Alcohol can be directly responsible for lowered inhibitions or a reduction in self-control. Due to substance abuse, individuals may behave impulsively and dangerously or with socially inappropriate actions.
  4. Low regard for consequences
    • Decreased regard for consequences may result from behavior or actions, such as drinking and driving, sexual behaviors, or verbal and physical interactions with others.
  5. Narrowed focus
    • Alcohol may greatly narrow a person’s ability to be rational in a situation. For example, they may be unable to step away from an argument despite the potential consequences of physical harm or legal charges if they continue to engage in the altercation.

Co-Occurring Conditions

Many times, alcoholism and other substance addictions exist simultaneously. At times, it may be difficult to separate which symptoms are related to the mental health disorder or the addiction due to similar symptoms being present.

Mental health disorders are frequently linked with alcoholism and may include:

  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Borderline Personality Disorder

Why Recovery Takes More Than Just Quitting Alcohol

To treat the symptoms, the underlying cause of alcohol use disorder must be treated along with maintaining sobriety.

Seeking professional help via counseling or therapy can be beneficial for individuals suffering from alcoholic rage syndrome.

Properly addressing alcohol-fueled aggression is crucial for your well-being and relationships. This unhealthy behavior can have multiple negative outcomes in life, and treatment for emotional healing, addictions, and anger management is essential for recovery.

Fortunately, help is available at New Growth Recovery. By seeking recovery for problems with alcohol and anger, you can work toward a more positive life.

Healing From Alcoholic Rage Syndrome: What Treatment Can Look Like

At New Growth Recovery, various treatment options are available to begin healing from addiction and alcoholic rage, including:

  • Day and extended day treatment programs: Insurance companies may refer to these programs as Intensive Outpatient Program or Partial Hospitalization Program (IOP/PHP)
  • Counseling and therapy
  • Virtual addiction treatment
  • Detox program referrals
  • Aftercare program

A Message to Those Struggling: You’re Not Broken

For those struggling with addictions or rage symptoms, know you are not alone — and healing is possible. Alcohol addiction was not a choice, but quite possibly a result of trying to bury emotional trauma and painful life experiences.

With the appropriate assistance, a road to recovery can begin today.

New Growth Recovery: Begin Your Healing Journey Today

The dedicated professionals at New Growth Recovery strive to help individuals break free from addictions and rebuild their lives — one day at a time.

Whether you or your loved one is struggling with alcohol and alcoholic rage syndrome or another substance, our compassionate team in Springfield, Massachusetts, is here to guide you every step of the way.

Contact us today to begin your healing journey!

The content in this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.