It's no doubt that alcohol appeals to many people. Each person might have their own reason for choosing to drink. Whether it's the sense of relaxation, euphoria, or just plain being bored. Many who struggle with OCD wonder, is it safe for me to drink alcohol because I have OCD?

While obviously, I don't know you personally. The sense of being an individual decision. However, I feel it's important to talk about the relationship between drinking and OCD. Some people with OCD may turn to alcohol as a way to cope with their obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. They may feel that alcohol helps to numb their anxiety or helps them to relax. I mean, isn't this what a compulsion is? Compulsions are those things that we are not supposed to do because is teaching our brain that we have to do something to cope even when there is not actually any danger. Alcohol is no different. It's actually looking at the reasons for choosing to drink. Is there anywhere in my brain that is saying, "if I drink right now I can get these thoughts to go away?" "I don't have to keep thinking about that scary thing." "I deserve to have a break after having these intrusive thoughts all day" "I need this anxiety to go away and I know that this will work for me."

So somebody may really pay attention to the reason. We want to teach OCD that you have more power and that you are not going to respond as if it is a real threat. So taking a drink teaches the brain that this might be the only way that you can handle these thoughts. So what you think happens the next time you're having lots of intrusive thoughts, drinking might come to your brain as an option. Then the next time it happens again and it happens again and it happens again. The brain and body count on this relief.

Alcohol and OCD compulsions

Just like any compulsion, an individual often gets that temporary relief. And for most people this relief doesn't last long. What ends up happening is that a whole new slew of fears and worries happen after somebody is sober again. Because individuals often want certainty in full control, drinking takes this away. Someone might say, dang it I don't remember what happened when I was drunk. Did I do something inappropriate? I maybe act on intrusive thought that I had? I did have this intrusive thought about this person does that mean that I'm not attracted to my own spouse? The brain is really good at filling in the gaps and it's usually not with something positive. I think I went out and gave a few thousand dollars to the homeless.... Nah, the brain thrives on the negative.

Drinking for many can cause more doubt and fear to a very debilitating level. It is said that 24 to 40% of people with OCD use alcohol as a way to cope. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, which means that it slows down brain activity. This can lead to increased anxiety and a worsening of obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors.

Additionally, alcohol is a toxic substance that can be harmful to the body when consumed in large amounts. It can lead to liver damage, cardiovascular problems, and other health issues. think about what the brain's gonna say about this. Great! How's my health? I think I drink a little bit too much tonight. I wonder if there's something wrong with me now. You know my heart is beating super fast, owner of now I've created an arrhythmia. Nate just it can lead to liver damage, you know I am feeling something strange. I better go get this checked out.

Ultimately OCD loves to attach to anything in any threat. So something like alcohol which inhibits your brain function has got to make you question things even more. In fact, many individuals that I see come through my office bring this up at one point or another. They either made a mistake of something real in the past and are dealing with real event OCD symptoms or they are completely uncertain about what actually happened and thus have many many obsessions about it. It's such a trap. How will you ever know what really happened?

One way alcohol worsens OCD symptoms is through its neurotransmitters. Specifically serotonin. Without the right amount of serotonin levels it can produce anxiety, depression, and psychological symptoms. Through research we found that those who have OCD tend to have a reduced level of serotonin. Meaning that when serotonin is produced, the brain cannot accurately regulate the amount that is sent back and forth. Alcohol has been known to increase serotonin production in the brain. And you might be thinking yay, this is what we want. I have OCD and I'm not producing as much serotonin so should this be a good thing. Well not exactly. Since alcohol is increasing serotonin, it often gives individuals a giddy, calm, tipsy feeling. Were aiming for the more neutral you feeling. You feeling yourself.

Dangers of drinking and OCD

Some individuals even say that with no prior OCD symptoms to drinking, after the effects of alcohol where off their OCD symptoms tend to start or increase. This is suggested because the level of serotonin drops and often the levels are actually lower than you were before he started drinking. So for somebody who has OCD and already low serotonin level, you can see where this can be a problem.

You can probably guess and feel ultimately that maybe alcohol isn't the best for OCD however many individuals actually choose to drink. Some have little to no effect when others choose to do it wisely. So ultimately it might not be an all or nothing type a deal. Individuals may just need to take some extra precautions like,

Know what abnormal drinking is for you, why are you choosing to drink right now, how often are you drinking, or you only catching yourself drinking when you're having a hard time.
These are all very important to know and understand before you decide if drinking something that works for you or not.

In summary, while it may seem like drinking can help to alleviate the symptoms of OCD, it can actually make the disorder worse and lead to negative consequences for both physical and mental health. Proceed in caution.

If you have OCD or know somebody who does you're going to need to know the 25 tips for succeeding in OCD treatment. Go watch this video now the highlights how important this is to your recovery.

Thank you so much for watching, and I will see you next time.