Does Your Love for Champagne Cause Anger?

It is no secret that some people can become angry or even aggressive when they are drinking. While this behavior is often associated with drunkenness and hard liquor, some people may find that just a glass or two of Champagne also causes them to become more irritable.

While everyone gets angry at some point and alcohol can alter mood and perception that leads to irritability, if your anger is consistent or coupled with other distressing symptoms, you may find that therapy helps. You can find a qualified therapist at BetterHelp.

However, in other cases when the anger is merely occasional, it could be linked to your Champagne consumption. Let’s look at some of the ways that alcohol can impact anger levels. Then, we can look at some ways that you can address your anger before your cork pops out in an outburst of rage.

Alcohol and Anger
Alcohol can cause abnormal emotional responses to situations. For some people, this means negative emotions like sadness and anger. There are a number of factors that contribute to these effects.

When we consume alcohol, we have a tendency to lose our impulse control. This can make it harder to manage emotions and contain negative, angry outbursts. Our lowered inhibitions may increase the likelihood that we will express our anger to other people. Then, we may not be able to calm down due to our altered state of consciousness and awareness.

A person’s personality can also contribute to these effects of alcohol on our emotions. People who are more likely to become angry when they are not enjoying some alcoholic drinks are more likely to anger and aggression after having a glass or two (or more) or Champagne.

When we drink a bubbly concoction, it can alter a sense of rationality. It may even deplete serotonin levels. The effect of this is difficulty managing mood. It can also make it harder to maintain logical responses to our environment.

The amount of Champagne that is consumed can affect anger levels as well. While a glass or two may not trigger negative emotions, a third or fourth glass in a short time period can be significantly more intoxicating. Always consume Champagne responsibly.

Other factors can contribute as well. Some people find that having caffeine before they begin to drink can make them more likely to become angry. Inadequate sleep can also make it more likely to succumb to stress, anger, and other emotions.

Now, let’s look at some things that you can do to reduce the levels of anger or to address your relationship with Champagne.

Identify Triggers
Sometimes we may find that there are certain situations or experiences that make us more likely to become irritated or angry. You may also find that if you drink Champagne on an empty stomach or with a certain person, that you become angry.

Try writing down things that you do during the day before you drink. Take note of stress levels and other pre-drinking emotions. This can help you identify the things that may be contributing to the anger when you drink. It may also help you eliminate other situations or experiences that are associated with positive Champagne and alcohol experiences.

Do Something
When we are angry, we may just sit thinking about the things that make us angry. This makes us angrier and more frustrated with our current situation, even if you have a glass of your favorite Champagne in your hand. There are two ways to do something while when you feel anger bubbling up (pun intended).
First, you can just do something fun and positive to get your mind off your anger. This can work in some situations, especially if we are with positive friends and family. The other way is to do something that alleviates your anger by addressing the trigger. Try to take action to alleviate any issues or triggers from occurring in the future.

Breath
When we are angry, our body and mind grow tense. Try taking deep breaths. Focus on the breath going in and out of your lungs. Do not judge your thoughts. Instead, let them pass through your awareness. Do this until you can feel the anger subsiding.

This can also be a way to lower your stress levels, which often contribute to the anger that people feel when they are drinking.

Take a Walk
This is a good way to get yourself out of a situation that fuels the anger inside you. Most people do not want to get angry at their friends and family. When you start to feel angry, get out of the situation to calm down. Going for a walk is a great way to do this and allows us to relax and focus on the walk itself. While it may seem awkward to leave a social gathering to go for a walk, it is likely much better than having an angry outburst.

Conclusion
Anger can be frustrating and ruin the positive mood that you desire when you are drinking Champagne. It can also make it difficult to foster healthy relationships and to enjoy life. However, you may be able to manage your anger or address certain triggers that reduce the likelihood of becoming angry while you pop open a bottle and pour a glass. Here’s to more cheers and less sneers.

 

Written by: Marie Miguel, she has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health-related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.