Claim: Alcohol Causes Panic Attacks

Question

The claim that alcohol can cause anxiety attacks is true, but it oftentimes isn't directly due to the alcohol and is rather exacerbated by the effects of it. The study Alcohol hangover effects on measures of affect the morning after a normal night's drinking  notes that heavy alcohol consumption can affect mood as well as increasing anxiety and the physical symptoms of anxiety. It should be noted that this is typically seen more in heavy drinkers, not casual drinkers. In The association of alcoholism and anxiety, it's the authors note that the biggest overlap between alcohol and anxiety is during withdrawal.

Answer 1

In short, yes alcohol can cause panic attacks and even trigger and enhance anxiety- yet people consume alcohol as a coping mechanism. While alcohol can temporarily dim down your anxiety its long term effects are harsh. Using alcohol to self medicate panic attacks can lead to psychological dependence, as you start relying on it to manage anxious thoughts and emotions. It can also put you at risk for developing addiction to alcohol. Another source (drinkaware) states how alcohol can even induce the panic attacks because of GABA- a chemical in the brain which usually has a relaxing effect but if over consumed can deplete the chemical and cause increased tension and even feeling of tension. 

https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/facts/health-effects-of-alcohol/mental-health/alcohol-and-anxiety#:~:text=Alcohol%20has%20an%20effect%20on,tension%20and%20feelings%20of%20panic. 

https://americanaddictioncenters.org/alcohol/risks-effects-dangers/anxiety

Answer 2

This claim is correct because alcohol can contribute to triggering panic attacks. The overconsumption of alcohol can lead to a lot of anxiety and will heighten the chance of panic attack symptoms. Alcohol can be used for relaxation on some occasions, but the more alcohol you consume, the more it impacts your brain and its overall structure. "It's common for people who drink alcohol to wake up the next day with a distinct sense of worry, panic, unease, or fear." These notes that drinking can cause you to be in fear, which can evoke panic attacks that come without warning. The chance of a panic attack happening is higher for those individuals who excessively drink alcohol. Not saying that individuals who drink alcohol occasionally can't have panic attacks, but there is a higher chance for those heavy drinkers. It depends on how your body takes in alcohol.

https://www.verywellhealth.com/why-drinking-alcohol-could-give-you-anxiety-11686386?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Answer 3

While the claim that  alcohol causes panic attacks is not a direct correlation, you make a good point by mentioning that alcohol plays a role in making anxiety worse, depending on the person, and the situation. For some people, even drinking a little bit can lead to anxiety later on, especially if they are already dealing with it. This is sometimes referred to as “hangxiety” where people may feel anxious the day after drinking, even if they did not drink heavily. In my research, I found that alcohol affects a chemical in the brain called GABA, which usually has a relaxing effect.  First, alcohol boosts GABA, which can make someone feel relaxed or less anxious. But when someone drinks heavily, it can actually lower the brain’s natural GABA levels over time. That drop can leave someone feeling more anxious or even trigger panic attacks, especially during withdrawal. While worse anxiety symptoms are seen in heavier drinkers, more casual drinkers still experience some of those effects too. Overall, the claim is misleading because alcohol doesn't directly cause panic attacks, but it can significantly worsen anxiety and trigger symptoms under certain conditions.

https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/facts/health-effects-of-alcohol/mental-health/alcohol-and-anxiety#:~:text=Alcohol%20has%20an%20effect%20on,tension%20and%20feelings%20of%20panic.

Answer 4

the claim that “alcohol causes panic attacks” is kind of true, but it’s not the full story. I looked into it more to see what I could find. According to a New York Times article, Dr. Jonathan Alpert, a psychiatrist, says alcohol doesn’t always directly cause panic attacks, but it can definitely make them more likely, especially if someone already deals with anxiety, or if they’re hungover or going through withdrawal. So it’s not that alcohol causes panic attacks for everyone, but it can trigger one under certain conditions. I also found a study that showed people who drank a lot had more anxiety the next day, and another study that said people with alcohol problems often feel panic during withdrawal. That means heavy drinkers are more at risk, not people who only drink once in a while. This idea mostly comes from real research done by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), which is a trusted government group that studies alcohol’s effects. They say alcohol messes with brain chemicals that affect stress, which can raise your chances of feeling anxious or panicked. Overall, the claim is partly true, but it leaves out a lot. Alcohol can lead to panic attacks, but usually only if someone already has anxiety or drinks heavily.

Sources:
New York Times – "Can Alcohol Trigger Panic Attacks?" (2025)
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) – https://www.niaaa.nih.gov

Answer 5

The claim that alcohol causes panic attacks is supported by science, especially in heat drinkers. Sometimes it's not always the alcohol itself that's causing the panic, but the aftereffects such as changes in brain chemistry, sleep disruption, and mood swings can make the anxiety worse. Studies like alcohol hangover effects on measures of affect the morning after a normal night's drinking show that people often feel more anxious the day after drinking heavily. Another study, The Association of alcoholism and anxiety, points out that withdrawal is when anxiety is most intense. Sources like Drinkaware and PubMed back this up, explaining how alcohol messes with neurotransmitters like GABA, which can leave you feeling tense or panicky. Overall, the claim is mostly true for heavier drinkers, not necessarily someone who has a drink here and there

Answer 6

The claim "Alcohol Causes Panic Attacks" is exaggerated and misleading. While it can be confidently concluded that alcohol can contribute or induce panic attacks, alcohol is not the only thing that causes panic attacks, nor does consumer alcohol always cause them. This happens much more commonly with heavy drinker, such as alcoholics. According to Charlie Health, cases where the alcohol is wearing off, it can cause an increase in anxiety levels. This is more extreme in heavy drinkers due to their heavy dependance on alcohol. 

Answer 7

The claim was posted by a personal social media account with no clear background or expert knowledge. After checking the account’s other posts, it was clear that it often shares unproven information without citing reliable sources. I looked for trustworthy information on the same topic and found that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) do not support the claim. In fact, both organizations explain that more research is needed before drawing strong conclusions. I also found a fact check by Reuters that clearly states the claim is false and taken out of context from a small, early study that was not meant to prove anything to the public. The first place the claim showed up was a little-known blog that had no connection to any official health group. Overall, the claim is not backed by science or trustworthy sources, and it likely spread online without proper checking.

Sources:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | CDC

World Health Organization (WHO)

Answer 8

This claim is true. First, the source that is used, The New York Times, is credible. In the article by the New York Times, the author uses quotes from doctors that focus on psychiatry that support the original claim. The author states that "scientists have found that alcohol can ramp up feelings of anxiety". Adding this information about a scientific study and even adding that study, helps show that the evidence that you have used is credible and it helps support your claim.

When doing further research, I found the original claim is true. The American Addiction Center explains alcohol can cause anxiety even if you have never had it before. It can also make pre existing conditions worse. They also claim that even though alcohol does fade away over time, the effects of anxiety can still be present especially when you drink alcohol again. This article was also written and reviewed by two doctors who focus on mental health and anxiety.

https://americanaddictioncenters.org/contributors/kristen-fuller-md

Answer 9

This claim is incredibly true as to sources I have reviewed online. After looking at an article from The New York Times, it is clear that in the short answer -- yes, alcohol does cause panic attacks. The definition of panic attack according to Mayo Clinic, "is a sudden episode of intense fear that triggers severe physical reactions when there is no real danger or apparent cause." In the article by NYT, alcohol and anxiety are considered, "two sides of the same coin," says Dr. Alëna Balasanova, an associate professor of psychiatry and the director of addiction psychiatry education at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. The NYT article goes on to state that although alcohol can be used as a way to relax after a long day, even the smallest amounts can create feelings of anxiety for the person drinking. The risk is always there, and it's even higher if you already have an existing anxiety disorder. The article also explained that when you drink alcohol, your brain ramps up the release of a chemical called gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA which helps us feel calm. However it also releases glutamate, a neurotransmitter, which is associated with anxiety and stress. These disruptions in the brain can lead to stress, confusion, and panic attacks. If you drink alcohol more excessively, your brain releases less and less GABA, meaning that the glutamate takes over and makes the brain become "hyper excitable," which can lead to symptoms like panic attacks. Alcohol can also lead to other factors like dehydration or lack of sleep, which could lead to someone feeling more anxious than usual. Using alcohol to unwind and relax actually may cause more anxiety and stress in the long run.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/04/well/mind/alcohol-panic-attack.html

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/panic-attacks/symptoms-causes/syc-20376021

Answer 10

After reading this article I believe this can 100% be true. Do I think alcohol directly causes panick attacks? No, but it seems it can contribute to it.  This piece from the American Addiction Centers looks into the link between drinking alcohol and anxiety disorders. It points out that although alcohol can temporarily reduce anxiety by slowing down the central nervous system, it can actually make anxiety worse in the long run. This happens because alcohol messes with important brain chemicals like GABA and glutamate that help control mood and anxiety. As a result, people might feel more anxious and have panic attacks when they stop drinking or when the alcohol starts to wear off.

Source: Alcohol Anxiety: Can Drinking Cause Anxiety & Panic Attacks?