• Alcohol Abstainers at Higher risk of depression.
    22 replies, posted
[QUOTE]Alcohol has a peculiar relationship to happiness. We drink to celebrate, but because alcohol works as a depressant, it ends up deadening feelings. Not surprisingly, there's an observable correlation between alcoholism and depression, and even though it's not always clear which leads to which, everyone knows you can't drink like a Sterling Cooper employee for too long before becoming a perpetual sad sack. But if alcohol can lead to depression, does that mean abstaining from alcohol will make you happier? A new study suggests that the opposite actually tends to be true. In fact, those who never drink are at significantly higher risk for not only depression but also anxiety disorders, compared with those who consume alcohol regularly. The study, which was published recently in the journal Addiction, looked at more than 38,000 people in Norway. Researchers, led by Jens Christoffer Skogen of the University of Bergen in Norway, asked the participants how much they had drunk in the previous two weeks; the research team also asked them various questions to measure their levels of anxiety and depression. People in the top fifth percentile of drinkers had the highest odds for anxiety. But it was abstainers who were at the highest risk for depression — higher even than the heaviest of drinkers. Why? One reason is that the abstainers in the study sample were more likely to have illnesses such as osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia, and people with chronic illnesses are more prone to melancholy. Also, "some people assume it's healthier not to drink," says Skogen — which may be particularly true of those who have chronic illnesses. Finally, some abstainers were formerly heavy drinkers — alcoholics who had to give up the bottle. It makes sense that they would have more psychological distress than others, but only 14% of the abstainers in the Norway study fit this category. The most powerful explanation seems to be that abstainers have fewer close friends than drinkers, even though they tend to participate more often in organized social activities. Abstainers seem to have a harder time making strong friendship bonds, perhaps because they don't have alcohol to lubricate their social interactions. After all, it's easier to reveal your worst fears and greatest hopes to a potential friend after a Negroni or two. So does this mean we should all have a cocktail? Maybe, but Skogen says he doesn't believe his study should encourage abstainers to become drinkers. Rather, he says doctors might want to investigate why abstaining patients don't drink and explain that in societies where alcohol use is common, not drinking may lead them to feel left out. Sometimes, you should just say yes.[/QUOTE] Sauce: [url]http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1928187,00.html[/url] :cheers:
I go to the pub at least once a week now and feel just as unhappy as when I didn't drink for a year :(
Did some scientists seriosuly get paid to work this out? I think its time for a career change if i can state the obvious and get paid for it.
[QUOTE=birkett;17708879]Did some scientists seriosuly get paid to work this out? I think its time for a career change if i can state the obvious and get paid for it.[/QUOTE] So just because you had a hunch that something was true and had it confirmed, it means the act of having it confirmed was a waste of time?
So you're fuckin miserable either way. Great.
This has been known for a long time now, do people accidently research things twice? Would not suprise me. It is the same with eating junk food, if you eat healthier you will be happier, its common sense really.
oh so that explains it be right back gonna go get drunk
[quote]We drink to celebrate, but because alcohol works as a depressant, it ends up deadening feelings[/quote] So if you're too emotional, it's because you're brain is healthy. Huh.
Watching enough people doing stupid shit while drunk would be my reason to not get drunk, especially the night my uncle said "I'm not drunk, I can do a handstand, watch!" I'll do the watching and drive ya home after you've passed out from drinking and doing stunts to prove you're not drunk.
i already have chronic depression so this doesn't mean shit :cool:
Well then, I'd better start hitting up the bar when I come of age :l
[QUOTE=TAU!;17737250]Well then, I'd better start hitting up the bar when I come of age :l[/QUOTE] or you can drink before then, like everyone else.
I take sedative drugs before I give speeches at my public speaking class. It makes my hands stop shaking.
This is about right. I sip on wine to wash the pain away... :sigh: [editline]07:11PM[/editline] :frog:
Pff. I've never had a drink and everyone EXCEPT me in my family has anxiety problems. Take that, devil science.
[QUOTE=cyanide101;17742992]or you can drink before then, like everyone else.[/QUOTE] He said "hitting up the bar"
I'm pretty sure it's just the social implications of going out drinking rather than the act of drinking alcohol itself.
people that dont drink a lot of them just stay indoors like hermits. so they miss out on good times and social bondings. losers!
[QUOTE=titty_kitty;17743979]people that dont drink a lot of them just stay indoors like hermits. so they miss out on good times and social bondings. losers![/QUOTE] Yeah totally, because people only get out of their house when they're drunk :downs:
I really think this article is bullshit. Depression is a natural thing, everyone has ups and downs.
AlcoLOL [img]http://crazy-frankenstein.com/pictures-files/drunk-pictures/drunk-asshole.jpg[/img]
[QUOTE=titty_kitty;17743979]people that dont drink a lot of them just stay indoors like hermits. so they miss out on good times and social bondings. losers![/QUOTE] :frog:
[QUOTE=titty_kitty;17743979]people that dont drink a lot of them just stay indoors like hermits. so they miss out on good times and social bondings. losers![/QUOTE] You know if you need alcohol to have a good time, you need to seriously rethink your life.
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