According to a new study from the University of Chicago Medicine, individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and depression experience similar levels of pleasure and stimulation when intoxicated compared to those without depression. The study challenges the common belief that pleasure from drinking diminishes with addiction, suggesting that intoxication may also serve as a means to alleviate negative feelings through self-medication. Professor Andrea King highlights the misconception that excessive drinking is solely driven by the need to cope with depression. Through real-time reports, the study found that participants with AUD and depression still experience positive alcohol effects, mirroring those without depression.
The study in the American Journal of Psychiatry challenged traditional beliefs about alcohol’s effects on depressed individuals, suggesting treatment could be more effective by targeting alcohol’s pleasure pathways rather than stress systems. Understanding the complex impact of alcohol on the brain is crucial for early AUD and depression intervention. Research tracked 232 Americans aged 21-35 to study heavy drinking patterns. Among these, half met AUD criteria, with equal numbers having or not having a recent depressive episode. Individuals with suicidal thoughts or severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms were excluded for safety. Alcohol was found to marginally reduce negative emotions, unrelated to depression or AUD status.
Alcohol’s positive effects are more pronounced in individuals with AUD compared to those without, and are similar among those with AUD and depression and those without. This challenges the popular belief that alcohol addiction stems from the brain compensating for heavy drinking.
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