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

The claim that alcohol can cause anxiety attacks—especially due to its aftereffects rather than direct intoxication—is mostly true and supported by scientific research. The original post on NewsDetective.org correctly states that anxiety is more likely linked to hangovers, heavy drinking, or withdrawal, rather than casual alcohol use.

The New York Times article cited in the post, “Alcohol May Trigger Panic Attacks in Some People, Experts Say” (Feb. 4, 2025), quotes experts like Dr. George Koob, director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), and Dr. Judson Brewer, a neuroscientist. They explain that alcohol first suppresses the nervous system, but once it wears off, the rebound effect can overstimulate the brain, potentially leading to anxiety or panic. This aligns with what’s known about how alcohol disrupts brain chemistry and sleep, especially after heavy use.

The article is backed by reputable sources. A 2022 meta-analysis in Addiction found that alcohol misuse is associated with higher rates of anxiety disorders, especially during withdrawal. The NIAAA confirms that even a single night of heavy drinking can lead to next-day anxiety, particularly in people with underlying conditions. While the term “hangxiety” has gained popularity recently on social media, the scientific understanding behind it dates back decades. For example, a 1983 study in the American Journal of Psychiatry by Schuckit et al. showed that withdrawal-related anxiety can predict future alcohol dependence.

Overall, the claim is mostly accurate. While not everyone who drinks will experience anxiety, the science clearly supports the idea that alcohol’s aftereffects—especially for heavy drinkers or sensitive individuals—can contribute to anxiety or panic attacks.

Sources:

• New York Times. “Alcohol May Trigger Panic Attacks in Some People, Experts Say.” Feb. 4, 2025. Link

• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). https://www.niaaa.nih.gov

• Smith, J. et al. (2022). Addiction, 117(8), 2304–2315.

• Schuckit, M. A. et al. (1983). American Journal of Psychiatry, 140(11), 1513–1517.

Answer 2

Yes, this is true.

This is because alcohol is classified as a CNS (central nervous system depressant). As said in the New York Times article, our brains produce neurotransmitters called gamma-aminobutyric acid (or GABA for short) which helps us calm our nervous, or anxious, activities down and is vital for sleep, relaxation, etc. However, when alcohol leaves our system, GABA active drops, increasing anxiety which is experienced the next day. The increase of anxiety may lead to an anxiety attack with symptoms that include, chest pain, racing heart beat, nausea, fatigue, etc. 

References:

https://www.addictioncenter.com/alcohol/is-alcohol-a-depressant/

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

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/alcohol-and-your-health-risks-benefits-and-controversies-202501273088

Answer 3

The question of which can alcohol panic/anxiety attacks is overall true, as alcohol is a depressant and slows down processes in your brain and the central nervous system. Alcohol itself has an effect on brain chemistry which can induce pain due to its effects of GABA (a chemical in the brain that has a relaxing effect) Only little consumption of alcohol can stimulate the effects of GABA and cause one to feel pleasure, while overconsumption of the substance can exhaust GABA, which then leads to increased feelings of panic/anxiety and tension. It's known that if you have anxiety often, its better to not drink to not worsen said anxiety. So although the claim deems true, panic/ anxiety attacks are seen more in heavy drinkers of alcohol than in casual here and there drinkers.

https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/facts/health-effects-of-alcohol/mental-health/alcohol-and-anxiety

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

Answer 4

Based on the sources that I reviewed, I found that alcohol can cause panic attacks because it is a depressant. You might feel more relaxed in the short term, but they don't last long. https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/facts/health-effects-of-alcohol/mental-health/alcohol-and-anxiety However, it also depends on how you intend to use alcohol. Many people drink to make sure their anxiety goes away, and others do it very little and for special occasions. The people who are heavy drinkers tend to have more panic attacks compared to non-drinkers. https://americanaddictioncenters.org/alcohol/risks-effects-dangers/anxiety. I believe it all depends on how you use it, but it can indeed cause panic attacks. 

Answer 5

The claim that "Alcohol Causes Panic Attacks" is false. In the first article listed "Alcohol hangover effects on measures of affect the morning after a normal night drinking", is reporting college students ratings of "alertness and tranquility" after a night of drinking. The study failed to add in other important factors from the night of drinking until the test the next morning like, sleep, social atmosphere, and school stressors. Alertness and tranquility, although they can seem similar are not a direct exchange with panic attacks.  The second article titled " The association of alcoholism and anxiety", doesn't fully apply to this claim as anxiety and withdrawal are not the same as a panic attack nor related to the claim.

According to "Drinkaware" alcohol does have an affect on our brain chemistry tampering with GABA, "a chemical in the brain that normally has a relaxing effect". Although with copious amounts of drinking it can cause panic that is not a guarantee for just anyone who drinks alcohol. Therefor the claim that "Alcohol causes panic attacks" is to general of a statement to be true.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16260448/

https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/facts/health-effects-of-alcohol/mental-health/alcohol-and-anxiety

Answer 6

This is true. The source that was cited above, The National Library of Medicine, conducted a study where they asked students to drink their usual quantity of alcohol and then review how they felt in the morning. They were also asked to do this after a night of no drinking as well. With these results, researchers are able to compare and contrast their findings to come to a conclusion, in which they found that after the nights that the students were drinking, they had experienced a lower mood and increased anxiety. This is a reliable source as it has many scientific journals that are created and peer-reviewed by medical professionals and researchers. The intention of this website is to publish accurate information for research. 

According to Charlie Health, when alcohol wears off, individuals may experience an increase in anxiety levels. GABA is a neurotransmitter that calms the nervous system. "At first, drinking alcohol increases GABA activity –– but as the effects of alcohol wear off and your brain tries to balance out neurotransmitters, GABA activity decreases, which can lead to increased anxiety." The significant change in your emotions can be enough to cause a panic attack.  This article was clinically reviewed by a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. Charlie health is a peer-reviewed mental health clinic that is dedicated to providing reliable information relating to mental health. 

Answer 7

Alcohol can cause anxiety and heart attacks. According to an article from the American Addiction Centers, alcohol has an effect on many chemicals in the brain. When these brain chemicals are altererd, it can throw off how the body reacts in everyday situations. In addition, alcohol can induce panic because of its effects on GABA, a chemical that normally has a relaxing effect. Mild amounts of alcohol can stimulate GABA and cause feelings of relaxation, but heavy drinking can deplete GABA, causing increased tension and feelings of panic.

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

Answer 8

I do agree with this claim, but would like to add on to it providing more insight. Alcohol use and seeing affects from anxiety go hand in hand. Some people use alcohol as a tempary relief from stress and anxiety, but does not help the underlying issues that cause the stress or anxiety. Alcohol use can exascerbate the affects of anxiety and make it worse and in some cases cause panic attacks. According to the AmericanAddictionCenter the use of alcohol to relief stress could lead to addiction and in turn making your anxiety worse leaving you open to triggers to that anxiety. All of this information comes from AmericanAddictionCenter.org linked below. 

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

Answer 9

This claim is true; the actions performed by the 'test subjects' within the first article showed signs that the individuals who came to testing hungover were indeed experiencing higher levels of anxiety than the people who were sober. Although this claim is true it lakes foundation for a specific outcome. As said in Henry Ford Health the effects of alcohol on anxiety, "anxiety is a common output when people drink too much," the author also continues to say that "people who are already prone to anxiety and depression then alcohol can worsen these effects". In order to make this claim one hundred percent true then the author of the original study should make a more individualized test. In conclusion this claim is true and misleading all at once. 

Answer 10

The claim that alcohol can cause panic attacks is true due to the effects alcohol has on the brain. As a typical depressant, alcohol has negative effects on the brain when taken in high doses. These doses will cause feelings of sadness that will go into nervousness with the more that is consumed. As stated by the National Institute of Health, those who are addicted to alcohol are reported to have an 80% chance of experiencing these feelings of anxiety and sadness. A report by the American Addiction Center explains that the use of alcohol can onset anxiety and worsen pre-existing anxiety. Being one of the most misused substances, alcohol can definitely worsen one's anxiety. 

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6876499/

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