All About Alcoholic Rage Syndrome: The Angry Drunk Phenomenon and How To Get Past Alcoholic Rage

Essentially, drinking makes us less likely to withhold our reactions when we’re angry or annoyed. But in real life, a person who loses control of their emotions when they drink is anything but entertaining. People spend years in therapy and in treatment for issues of their own that are caused by the consequences of this behavior. If you have intermittent explosive disorder, prevention is likely beyond your control unless you get treatment from a mental health professional. Alcoholic rage is characterized by behavior that becomes hostile, or aggressive when under the influence of alcohol.

If You Live with an Angry Drunk, What Can You Do?

If called out, they will insist that they don’t have a problem, because acknowledging this root issue is too scary, shameful, painful, or overwhelming. Alcohol affects your brain and impairs your decision-making and self-control. This can lead to changes in behavior, making you more likely to get angry or act aggressively.

Treatment & Support

Less cognitive function also means that you may misunderstand something and, in turn, overreact. These outbursts are akin to a volcano blowing out sideways rather than straight-up, as the emotions what drugs was eminem addicted to will always find a way out. The easier route is to make other people responsible for their moods and overall emotional well-being. When someone is addicted to alcohol, it alters their behavior in predictable patterns. Having someone close to you, whether it is a friend, a romantic partner, a family member, or even a parent who struggles with addiction, is challenging. – Conducting a physical examination and ordering relevant laboratory tests to rule out other potential causes for symptoms.

Therapy

If you or someone you care about is struggling with alcohol-related rage there are some steps you can take to prevent future incidents. Ria Health offers several FDA-approved medications for alcohol use disorder. When combined with counseling, this approach is proven highly effective.

One study published in a journal called Cognitive, Affective, & Behavioral Neuroscience sought to explore factors that make some people more aggressive when they drink. Intermittent explosive disorder can begin in childhood — after the age of 6 years — or during the teenage years. It may be caused by the living environment and learned behaviors, genetics, or differences in the brain. You may be wondering what you can do when someone shows signs of rage after consuming too much alcohol.

They provide a platform for individuals to learn about the risks and consequences of alcohol on emotions, such as anger and aggression. Examples of such programs include local support groups and educational sessions. By taking part in these activities, you can not only improve your understanding of the issue but also work along with others towards a healthier lifestyle.

1. Sobriety is a long, ongoing process, but help, support, and treatment can make it easier.
2. The most effective way to cope with alcohol-induced anger is to avoid consuming too much alcohol.
3. You’ll meet millions of fellow Reframers in our 24/7 Forum chat and daily Zoom check-in meetings.
4. Furthermore, certain risk factors can vary based on a person’s age, gender, sexual minority status, and exposure to trauma or other stressors.

According to one set of diagnostic criteria for IED in the DSM-5, the aggressive behavior must occur twice weekly for 3 months on average. With IED, a person’s level of aggression is significantly out of proportion to the situation and is impulsive and anger-based. This doesn’t mean rageaholic symptoms aren’t real, or that the uncontrollable flashes of anger you experience aren’t significant. Emotionally, a person dealing with PAWS may have mood swings and become depressed, making them tough to be around—maybe even as unpleasant as they might have been when they were drinking.

Personal history and genetic factors can play a role in how someone reacts to alcohol. For example, if you have a family history of alcohol abuse or domestic violence, you might be more prone to aggressive behavior when drunk. One potential challenge involves “dry drunk syndrome,” a slang term that originated in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). It refers to traits and behaviors often seen with alcohol use that persist into recovery.

The FHE Health team is committed to providing accurate information that adheres to the highest standards of writing. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of alcoholic rage syndrome is crucial in addressing the issue and seeking appropriate help. These symptoms may include sudden and intense anger, verbal or physical aggression, irritability, impulsivity, and difficulty controlling emotions. It is important to differentiate alcoholic rage from regular anger, as the former tends to be disproportionate and unprovoked. People can be more prone to alcoholic rage based on genetics, life stressors, antisocial personality disorder, or personality traits such as underlying irritability.