Angela Pugh
Angela Pugh
Can Quitting Drinking Cause Depression?
Can Quitting Drinking Cause Depression?
Can Quitting Drinking Cause Depression?
Wednesday 1st May 2024
Angela Pugh explains why quitting alcohol can cause depression, exploring biochemical and psychological factors, and offers practical tips to manage it.
15 minutes
Informative
Supportive
Honest
Compassionate
Encouraging
About this podcast
Author:
Angela Pugh
Overview:
Categories:
Sobriety Toolkit
Understanding Addiction & Recovery
Creative Recovery Journeys
Sexual Empowerment & Identity
Mindfulness & Emotional Wellbeing
Links:
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Episodes:
72 (View all)
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Get the buttons here!Understanding Depression After Quitting Alcohol
Episode Overview
- Drinking can increase depression, but depression is also linked to heavier drinking.
- Anhedonia is a condition where you struggle to feel pleasure, often overlooked in early sobriety.
- Physical activity can help boost dopamine levels naturally.
- Understanding the biochemical and psychological effects of withdrawal can help manage symptoms.
- Major life changes can trigger symptoms of depression and anxiety, not just quitting alcohol.
Quitting drinking is just the thing that's happening for you right now. That's the big life change you're going through.
Angela Pugh, the savvy sober entrepreneur and professional coach behind the Addiction Unlimited podcast, takes a deep dive into the complexities of quitting alcohol and its potential link to depression. In this episode, Angela explores the chicken-and-egg scenario of whether drinking causes depression or if depression leads to heavier drinking. She shares her personal journey of using alcohol to cope with emotional turmoil and the challenges she faced when she decided to quit.
Angela's candid discussion includes the biochemical and psychological aspects of withdrawal, shedding light on why you might feel down after giving up alcohol. She introduces the concept of anhedonia – a condition where you struggle to feel pleasure – which is often overlooked but plays a significant role in early sobriety and relapse. Angela's no-nonsense approach offers practical advice on how to boost dopamine levels naturally through physical activity and other life changes.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone grappling with the emotional rollercoaster of early sobriety, offering both understanding and actionable steps to manage your mental health during this challenging transition. Whether you're in the early stages of sobriety or supporting someone who is, Angela's insights will resonate and provide hope that these feelings are manageable and temporary. Tune in to understand why you might be feeling this way and how to navigate through it with confidence and resilience.