This article discusses some of the facts behind the stereotype of the “angry drunk” and explores the connection between anger and alcohol. If you find yourself in a situation with someone who is angry while intoxicated, the first step is to assess your level of risk. There’s a difference in safety between someone who is expressing anger verbally and one who has become physically aggressive.
Low Regard for Consequences
The first two authors, experienced in AM and AAF treatment protocols, supervised therapists one hour per week in each condition throughout interventions. During supervision, each active alcoholic rage syndrome case was discussed individually with regard to adherence to the manualized treatment protocol and the specific content of the session. The most effective way to cope with alcohol-induced anger is to avoid consuming too much alcohol. Groups like Al-Anon or Al-Teen are available to help support people who have been affected by a loved one’s alcoholism. Another study found that people who focus on the present moment tend to be angrier alcoholics.1 They don’t consider the consequences of their actions, so they’ll act on their anger without regard to what will happen in the future.
Why does alcohol make some people angry?
It also includes binge drinking — a pattern of drinking where a male has five or more drinks within two hours or a female has at least four drinks within two hours. When you drink alcohol, you behave impulsively, which can affect your decision-making abilities. When you are drunk, most things will cloud you, and you will not be able to perceive situations correctly.
From Addiction to Recovery: Leigh Ann Minter
These medicines can help reduce the negative side effects of detoxification and withdrawal. There is also a theory that the disinhibition that alcohol creates raises the risk of violent behavior. Heavy drinkers are more likely to engage in risky behavior, which includes being violent and acting out hostile emotions, often against a loved one. However, some people are more likely than others to be angry when drinking alcohol.
Lack of impulse control can make someone fly into a fit of rage or become aggressive rapidly. Anger is an intense emotion you feel when something has gone wrong or someone has wronged you. Aggression refers to a range of behaviors that can result in both physical and psychological harm to yourself, others, or objects in the environment.
