Why People Drink Alcohol When Emotionally Hurt?
Written by Karan Sharma
When people feel emotional pain, many look for quick relief.
Alcohol slows down the central nervous system.
This reduces the intensity of emotional pain temporarily.
Drinking releases dopamine, the brain’s “reward and happiness” chemical.
For a short time, sadness is replaced with warmth or mild excitement.
Alcohol also weakens the prefrontal cortex — the part responsible for logic and self-control.
This makes people less aware of their emotional pain.
Many start relying on alcohol instead of understanding their feelings.
Movies, music, and society normalize drinking during heartbreak.
But the relief is temporary — the pain returns stronger once the effect fades.