Alcohol might be the substance best known for inducing anger and aggression. Not everyone who drinks too much will react with anger or violence. However, if this becomes a frequent occurrence, it’s a sign that it’s time to consider an alcohol use or anger management treatment program.
Woodland Recovery Center Mississippi is a substance use treatment center that offers programs for a wide range of behavioral health concerns. If you or a loved one needs professional help with alcohol and anger, call 662.222.2989 and speak with Woodland Recovery Center Mississippi today.
Are Alcohol Addiction and Anger Connected?
Some people struggle with alcohol use disorder while rarely exhibiting anger or aggression. Others struggle greatly with anger management, but alcohol use doesn’t seem to be a factor. Given that it’s common for either concern to be present without the other, it’s natural to wonder whether alcohol and anger are connected.
Some individuals naturally have a harder time dealing with anger. They might experience anger more often or intensely than others or have a harder time refraining from aggressive behavior once anger arises.
For individuals dealing with unresolved anger, alcohol use naturally leads to expressions of anger because it reduces inhibitions. When anger management is already a concern, and alcohol is then added to the equation, the outcome can include uncontrollable behavior that might scare or endanger others.
Treatment Options for Helping Alcoholism and Anger
Mental and behavioral health treatment options exist to offer support in overcoming both alcohol addiction and anger. When the two concerns exist together, an approach that addresses their symptoms at the same time is ideal for achieving stability.
Treatment begins with evaluation. A treatment team will ask a series of intake questions to learn about an individual’s:
- Behavioral patterns regarding anger
- History of substance use
- Physical health history
- Additional mental health concerns
- History of trauma
- History of prior treatment or therapy
If relevant symptoms have a significant impact on the patient’s life, they may be given a mental health diagnosis. It is possible to have a primary diagnosis and a secondary diagnosis. The primary diagnosis can be thought of as the core issue, while the secondary diagnosis is often an unhealthy means of dealing with the primary diagnosis.
Substance Use Treatment
Some individuals struggle primarily with substance use. Over time, heavy drinking takes a serious toll on mental and emotional health and often leaves a person with low self-esteem due to the effect alcohol use has had on their life.
In this case, anger can become the default emotion for an individual who is struggling with alcohol use and its impacts.
Substance use treatment typically begins with detox, which allows alcohol to exit the body safely. Then a patient begins a formal treatment program, which often includes both inpatient and outpatient therapy sessions.
When anger or other mental health concerns are involved, a co-occurring treatment program should include additional programming, like anger management courses, to offer additional support.
Anger Management Programs
When anger management is the primary concern, treatment options can range more widely. In some cases, inpatient substance use treatment might be recommended, while in others, outpatient treatment might be sufficient treatment for the alcohol use that accompanies uncontrolled anger.
An anger management treatment typically involves individual, group, and family therapy that allows a patient to gain a deeper understanding of their emotions. They can also learn tools for recognizing triggers and managing anger when it occurs.
Get Help with Alcoholism and Anger at Woodland Recovery Center Mississippi
If you or a loved one is struggling with anger management, alcohol use, or any other mental health concern, treatment can provide professional support that can help you overcome it.
To learn more about getting help, call 662.222.2989 and ask about the treatment programs available at Woodland Recovery Center Mississippi.
