Woman of Black ethnicity, sharing her thoughts and emotion at the therapy, led by the female psychotherapist
Anger Management & Substance Use

How Alcohol Can Worsen Anger Problems

December 2024
7 min read
Dr. Geoff Nugent

Understand the dangerous connection between alcohol use and anger problems, and learn how professional anger management counseling can help you regain control.

Life can be really frustrating, and you might find yourself struggling to deal productively with emotions of anger. Or, you may have someone in your life or family who has a problem with a short fuse or a hot temper. When anger gets out of control, this emotion can become very destructive to yourself and others.

Anger management counseling can help with outsized anger problems. However, the anger management experts at Nugent Family Counseling Center want our patients to understand that:

Some triggers and behaviors, including alcohol use or abuse, increase the risk of angry blow-ups.

The Nugent Family Counseling Center team, under the leadership of Dr. Geoff Nugent, offers anger management counseling and support from locations in:

San Jose, CA

Los Gatos, CA

Reno, NV

What You Need to Know About Anger and Alcohol

Defining Anger Management Problems

Anger management problems are defined by:

Frequent emotional outbursts

Persistent frustration

Violent aggression

The Damage of Uncontrolled Anger

An anger management problem can damage:

  • • Career trajectories
  • • Family and personal relationships
  • • Your long-term health

The Connection Between Anger and Alcohol

People who struggle with anger management often also abuse drugs or alcohol. This isn't necessarily just a coincidence.

Studies show that there's actually a close relationship between feelings of out-of-control anger and aggression and alcohol use or abuse.

Research Findings

World Health Organization Finding

The World Health Organization identifies alcohol more closely with aggressive behavior than any other psychotropic substance.

Association for Psychological Science Data

According to the Association for Psychological Science:

Alcohol is involved in HALF of all violent crimes in the United States

Including rapes, assaults, and murders

How Alcohol Makes Anger Problems Worse

The Deceptive Promise of Alcohol

If you're frustrated or stressed out, you might see a drink as a good way to calm down and relax.

The Reality: However, if anger management is currently a problem in your life, drinking alcohol is just as likely to fan the flames.

Individual Responses to Alcohol

While some individuals respond to alcohol by feeling sad, others respond to the neuroinflammation of alcohol use by getting mad.

Effects of Intoxication That Worsen Anger

Reduced Inhibitions

Loss of self-control

Impulsivity

Acting without thinking

Impaired Cognitive Function

Difficulty reasoning clearly

Low Regard for Consequences

Ignoring future impacts

If you've been struggling with angry emotions or violent impulses, these effects of alcohol can make the situation worse.

How Anger Management Counseling Can Help

When you talk to a member of the Nugent Family Counseling Center team, you can count on compassion and honesty.

Anger management treatment with our specialists is designed to help you control your feelings of anger.

Our Treatment Approach

1

Diagnosis

We start by diagnosing your anger problems

2

Personalized Treatment Plan

Based on your personal and medical history and presenting symptoms

Treatment Options

Counseling with Our Therapists

Work through the root causes of your frustrations

Neurofeedback Treatment

Balance your brain's electrical energy and stabilize your mood

Innovative approach to anger management

Medication Management

Professional medication support when appropriate

Aromatherapy

Address underlying stress in your system

Take Control of Your Anger

To learn more about alcohol use, alcohol dependence, alcohol abuse, and anger management problems, get in touch with Nugent Family Counseling Center.

Schedule your appointment with our anger management counseling experts now by giving us a call, or request an appointment online today.

Get Anger Management Support

Break the cycle of alcohol and anger with professional counseling

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Break the Alcohol-Anger Cycle

Alcohol doesn't calm anger—it makes it worse. With reduced inhibitions, impulsivity, impaired judgment, and disregard for consequences, drinking fuels the fire of anger problems and increases the risk of violence. Research shows alcohol is involved in half of all violent crimes in the U.S. If you or someone you love struggles with anger management, professional counseling can help address the root causes through therapy, neurofeedback, medication management, and aromatherapy.