A study published in the journal “Alcohol Clinical & Experimental Research” found a link between alcohol consumption to cope with stress in the third decade of life and an increased risk of cognitive decline in middle age. Furthermore, researchers discovered that alcohol use in early adulthood alters brain activity mechanisms: cognitive flexibility deteriorates, and later in life it becomes harder to manage stress.
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“This combination of alcohol and stress truly leads to long-term changes in brain neuronal networks,” said Dr. Elena Vazey, co-author of the study, a neurodegenerative brain disease researcher and an associate professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. This study has certain limitations – for example, it was conducted on mice. However, doctors say the results raise serious concerns about alcohol use under high stress. That is why, according to “Food & Wine.”
Early habits of drinking alcohol under stress may set the stage for cognitive decline
Researchers focused mainly on mice, whose brain neuronal circuits are similar to humans. Some mice were repeatedly given a drink containing ethanol, then exposed to ethanol vapors and forced to swim. (Swimming was intended to induce a stressful situation.) Other mice, belonging to control groups, were exposed only to air and did not experience stress.
After three months, the condition of the mice was assessed when they reached an age corresponding to middle age in humans. Researchers found that mice previously exposed to ethanol willingly consumed alcohol when stressed in middle age. Moreover, they had difficulty completing a maze task.
Examining the mice’s brains, scientists found disruptions in a brain area called the locus coeruleus; this change is associated with Alzheimer’s disease and other brain disorders. These mice also showed higher levels of oxidative stress – a condition linked to an increased risk of chronic diseases such as Alzheimer’s, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes.
These results were specific to the combination of alcohol and stress. In other words, mice that consumed only alcohol or experienced only stress did not show such changes. “These findings help better understand the long-term effects of chronic alcohol use and stress and how these factors may accelerate age-related cognitive decline,” the researchers wrote in their conclusions.
The hidden danger to the brain from using alcohol to relieve stress
It seems this habit conditions the brain to seek alcohol when stressed, even if you haven’t consumed it for a while. “Although the animals stopped drinking alcohol, that alone was not enough to undo the damage,” said E. Vazey. Although the study was conducted on mice, experts say the results are logical.
“Alcohol should never be used to cope with stress,” said Anthony Robertson, an associate professor of psychiatry and mental health at George Washington University. “Chronic alcohol use can cause neurotoxic effects on the brain, especially with long-term use.”
According to A. Robertson, heavy alcohol dependence can damage neurons and brain white matter. “This can lead to memory impairments, difficulties concentrating, problems planning actions, and contribute to overall executive function decline,” he added.
However, according to Dr. Douglas Scharre, medical director and neurologist at the Cognitive and Memory Disorders Center at Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center, the main problem is usually excessive alcohol consumption.
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“Alcohol use can sometimes cause long-term cognitive impairments if consumed moderately but continuously – for 20–30 or more years – or if consumed in large quantities,” he said. “Excessive alcohol use can affect brain mechanisms related to memory and, in rare cases, cause irreversible damage.”
Healthier ways to cope with stress (that actually work)
If you tend to reach for alcohol when feeling highly stressed, you are not alone – but there are other ways to calm down that do not have long-term negative consequences. The goal is not to eliminate stress completely (which is unrealistic) but to find coping methods that help you feel better the next day. Here are some options worth trying:
- Move – even briefly. A brisk walk, a short workout, or even stretching exercises can help reduce stress hormone levels and improve mood.
- Create a calming ritual. Replacing your evening drink with tea, a shower, or a few minutes with a book signals your brain that it’s time to relax.
- Talk it out. Calling a close friend or talking with a trusted person can help manage stress rather than suppress it. Try structured stress reduction methods. Tools like therapy, support groups, or mindfulness practice can provide greater positive effects over time than you might expect.
- Change the habit, not just the drink. If you always pour a glass of wine at a certain time, try replacing this routine with another activity – for example, a walk.
Can the brain recover after using alcohol to relieve stress? It is worth noting that this study examined the effects of stress and alcohol on mice, not humans. Although the mice in the study resumed alcohol consumption when stressed and showed signs of long-term damage, experts say the effects may be somewhat different in humans.
“Generally, alcohol can be considered a toxin if consumed excessively,” said D. Scharre. “As with any other toxin, stopping its use can reverse effects – especially if no irreversible damage to the nervous system has occurred.” According to him, if you previously used alcohol to cope with stress but have quit this habit, the brain usually recovers. “Typically, you would not be at risk of cognitive decline,” added D. Scharre.
However, there are some nuances. If heavy alcohol use in the early stage has already caused high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or cognitive impairments, recovery may be more difficult, said A. Robertson. “We are not talking about one drink but several,” said E. Vazey. “It seems that high stress encourages heavier alcohol use, and conversely – previous heavy alcohol use appears to intensify stress.”
Key facts about alcohol, stress, and brain health Although more research with humans is needed, according to E. Vazey, the data suggest that the practice of using alcohol to relieve stress can help doctors identify individuals at higher risk of cognitive decline.
“If people have such experiences, they should especially focus on reducing oxidative stress: choosing a proper healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and exercising regularly,” she said.
If you find it difficult to separate alcohol use from stress, A. Robertson advises finding a support group or seeing a therapist to learn healthier stress management. According to him, it is helpful just to realize that you are using alcohol to relieve stress. “The most important thing is to understand what drives alcohol use,” he said. “Then you should avoid these triggers and replace them with more positive and healthier activities: going to the gym, finding new hobbies, participating in support groups, engaging in the community, or making new friends.”
Doctors emphasized that separating alcohol use from stress and developing healthier coping methods can greatly contribute to maintaining brain health in middle and older age.
