If you follow true crime, you’ve heard about the notorious Murdaugh trials in South Carolina, with the latest being the trial of Alec Murdaugh convicted for killing his son and wife. And although nothing justifies murder, the son Paul Murdaugh was quite a character (and not in a good way). Those close to him would talk about his personality under the influence — a character prominent enough to be seen as his alter-ego, “Timmy.” What was Paul Murdaugh — “Timmy” — like when drunk? Ultimately, Timmy would lead to the death of Paul’s girlfriend who drowned in a boating accident that Paul (in drunken Timmy mode) was responsible for. For that reason, abstaining from alcohol altogether may be the best way to prevent undesirable effects, such as relationship issues or legal trouble. Alternative solutions may involve setting drink limits, avoiding alcohol when you’re already having intense emotions, or opting to have emotional conversations when you’re sober.
Anger, Hostility, and Aggression in Severe Alcohol Use Disorder
To curb alcohol-fueled rage, it helps to know how you respond to drinking. Those expectations can also arise from what we’ve learned about alcohol from family members and peers. If you had a parent who was frequently enraged while drunk, you may expect that response in yourself when drinking and therefore exhibit it. A small 2015 study published in Translational Psychology investigated the role of this variation in impulsive and aggressive behavior while intoxicated (10). Researchers found that participants who were less inclined to think about the future were more alcohol and aggression inclined to deliver shocks longer and harder, but especially if they were drunk.
Social factors of alcohol and rage
However, early management of these factors can lessen the chances of developing alcohol-related aggressiveness. For people with alcohol use disorder, withdrawal symptoms may also include emotions like anxiety and irritability. These tendencies can create a loop in which people drink to avoid their Sober living home anger but instead deteriorate their mental health, leading them to turn again to alcohol for reprieve.
Personal and Relational Consequences
It’s a sobering reminder of how our past can shape our present, even when we’re not fully aware of it. With some insight into factors that can cause rage or aggression while drinking, you can take steps to avoid certain behaviors. Alcohol consumption may also lead to a rage response because of expectations, according to researchers (1). For example, if a person goes into a drinking experience with the expectation of alcohol helping them pick a fight with a partner later, that’s then likely to happen. They found that people with HTR2B Q20 tended to be more impulsive and aggressive under the influence of alcohol. They were more likely than those without the variation to have a history of outbursts and fights while drinking, as well as to have been arrested for driving under the influence.
Domestic violence
Being at the opposite end of someone with alcohol-related anger outbursts can be scary and painful. Alcohol can cause irrational aggression, resulting in domestic violence and psychological issues. This may have come about because alcohol can sometimes increase aggression. For those who have trouble managing their anger, this may lead to angry outbursts, arguments, or even physical fights.
- Moreover, alcohol can increase the risk of bipolar disorder, dementia, mood disorders, and schizophrenia.
- Drinking can have a relaxing or anxiety-relieving effect by mimicking the „chill-out” effects of GABA.
- Decreased cognitive function also means it’s more likely for you to misread a situation and overreact.
- The phenomenon of the angry drunk is not just a trope in movies or TV shows; it’s a real and concerning issue that affects countless individuals and their loved ones.
- Heightened responses due to alcohol consumption can make anger intensified.
- Some studies suggest that these methods may also reduce cravings for addictive substances when practiced consistently.
A personality change that happens when drinking to excess, such as becoming aggressive and angry, may also lead to a blackout if the large amount of alcohol was consumed too quickly. For example, while heavily intoxicated, someone may commit a violent act, such as inflicting physical harm or raping someone, and then blacks out having no memory of the event. The challenges faced in this arena have provided her with a strong base of practice in assessment, treatment, and case management.
- Alcohol-related anger can present with different signs and symptoms, varying from person to person.
- If you or someone you love is battling aggression and alcohol misuse, help is available.
- Alcohol affects the brain in different ways, impacting emotions and behavior.
- Using a personality questionnaire, an aggression scale, and alcohol use and history assessments, researchers compared 156 people without the gene with 14 people who have it.
