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FOR ANYONE WHO has ever struggled with a hangover, it’s no real surprise that alcohol can cause a severe mood dip. In fact, it can even cause anxiety, regardless of whether you’ve ever had it before.
Marion Rackard, Addiction Counsellor and Psychotherapist who works as Project Manager with the HSE Alcohol Programme explains that unfortunately, it can also affect our sleep and can in the longer term impede the development of healthy coping responses as well as intensifying any negative emotions we may be having.
It’s a depressant drug, which, depending on the amount consumed, can have a depressive effect the next day. If you have underlying anxiety and have drank a lot, your sleep will be disturbed and you will be very shaky the next day – both from dehydration and the effect of the drug.
And for people who are trying to keep fit, drinking can impact on cardio performance, endurance and energy. As Marion Rackard explains: “without alcohol, your endurance is better, reaction times are sharper and both muscle development and recovery from injuries are faster.”
When you combine alcohol with the pressures of being in the public eye and always having to outperform yourself on the field, things can get even tougher, as some of our most talented share below.
Cavan footballer (and as of 2016, bestselling author) Alan O’Mara first gained headlines for his talent on the field but in 2013, shared a brave and honest account of his experience of depression off the field that gained just as much attention.
He became the first active footballer to open up about his mental health, and within the piece he describes in detail how alcohol began to worsen his depression:
Things really spiralled downhill when that work came to an end. My energy levels declined and I rarely left the house. For a while the only thing I enjoyed was drinking but then the nature of the hangovers began to change. Sometimes I would just drink again to get rid of them.
The alcohol began to affect my train of thought. [...] One night while out, I found myself sitting on the lid of a toilet in a Dublin nightclub hiding from the world.
Having spent time as a Westmeath Gaelic footballer, Leinster Rugby player, lead singer of The Blizzards and presenter of The Voice of Ireland, Niall Breslin has achieved a lot. But what he’s most known for these days is his work as a mental health advocate.
Living with generalised anxiety disorder, he described to The42 how alcohol would often worsen how he felt, now recognising that he needs to be careful about drinking levels:
I try to eat healthy and avoid alcohol as much as I can — it f**ks me up to be honest. Then again, I still enjoy it, I still go out for a few pints with my mates. I just don’t do it in excess. But if I want to sit down with my family and friends and have a few drinks, I do.
All-Ireland winner and former Donegal Gaelic football star of 13 years Eamon McGee opened up last year about his struggles with anxiety, panic attacks, and what he described as a “dangerous relationship” with alcohol on a Real Talks podcast.
I think it was apparent that I struggled off the field and as a result of that, I struggled on the field, too. For me, it was just culture at the time. [...] none of the lads suffered from anxiety attacks or panic attacks or they didn’t develop a dangerous relationship with alcohol.
In the same interview, McGee shared that it wasn’t just his mental health that suffered but his performance too:
A big enough social scene was a big part of it and unfortunately, I had other things going on in the background, too. When you add that in, it was just a bad combination. It wasn’t conducive to an elite athlete.
He may not be a household name but Gavan Hennigan definitely should be – around this time last year, he completed a gruelling 5,000km solo journey rowing across the Atlantic Ocean, sometimes rowing up to 19 hours in a day.
He told The42 how his determination was closely linked to making the most of his life, having had a very tough time in his early twenties:
I started drinking like most normal teenagers but I have an addictive personality and I suppose I took it three steps too far and I ended up in rehab at 21. I was in a pretty dark place. [...] Not long after that I tried to take my own life.
The impact his alcohol addiction had on his mental health made his amazing achievement last year all the sweeter – before his row he explained:
That’s why this row is really important to me because of what I’ve been through. Having gotten a second chance after coming out of rehab and from the brink of taking my own life, I’m determined to make the most of it.It makes it all a little bit more pertinent for me, to know that I’ve come from that place and now I’m challenging myself to do these big events.
Marion Rackard shares how your mental health can come under additional pressure if you’re living in the public eye, as those above were:
Alan, Eamon and Gavan all highlight their relationship with alcohol during sporting careers which offered an active and intense social life.They discuss their internal struggles related to the sport such as performance anxiety together with the consequences of excessive drinking such as depression, all of which can lead to a spiral into a loss of control and deep shame.
Although sport “can be a positive motivation to display great strength, drive, ambition and passion to represent their team county or country”, it creates even more pressure:
By its nature, being sportspeople can mean the emotional rollercoaster is higher and deeper and can leave some unable to handle the self doubt, fear of deselection, deep disappointment and even winning that success and failure brings.
Remember, problems feel smaller when you share them. If you need to talk, contact for free:
Depression and anxiety can affect anyone, regardless of age, sex or social status. The low-risk weekly guidelines are 17 standard drinks for men and 11 standard drinks for women with 2-3 alcohol free days. If you need more information about alcohol and the impact it could be having on your mental health, visit askaboutalcohol.ie. Let’s try to work towards a #HealthyIreland.
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Gave up booze for a challenge last year and it’s the best thing I ever did. Doubt I’ll ever drink again.
Similar. Decided to go 3 months without it. That was nearly a year ago and I’ve never felt better. Anxiety virtually gone, healthier and feel much better. We have a very unhealthy relationship with alcohol in Ireland.
@Nollaig Elliot: I still think it’s a class thing. I mean loads of my friends drank to excess in their 20′s and we had great times and the odd bad experience. But they’re all too busy with careers and families now to be drinking every week. Whereas in disadvantaged communities people can feel hopeless and take more risks and turn to drink and drunks in a wholly destructive way. We have to be honest with ourselves. It’s about quality of life at the end of the day.
@Nollaig Elliot: similar. Gave it up for a month 8 years ago as I was starting a new job. Never went back on it. Don’t miss it. Feel great.
@Carl:
Fair play to ya Carl. My life is way better without it anyway and I don’t see the point in going back. The best one I heard is, you don’t have to be an alcoholic for it to be a problem in your life.
@Kevin O’Donnell:
Happy days Kevin. I feel the same mate.
@Noel Ryan:
I believe with addiction, it is usually a numbing mechanism to some sort of trauma experienced by the addict. Obviously not in all cases. I haven’t done much research on your class theory but it’s interesting for sure and I will definitely look into it. I ha e been fascinated with our alcohol culture since I gave it up.
@Nollaig Elliot: nearly a year without a drop, best thing I ever did. A big mass brainwashing.
@Nollaig Elliot: I think this is a hugely important distinction. This black and white definition of alcoholic or not alcoholic really IMO prevents many addicts from not taking any action. Many believe either that they are not as bad as the fella who drinks a pint of vodka in the morning so therefore not an alcoholic, no need to get help, or on the other hand because of the stigma of being defined as an alcoholic and NEVER being able to have a drink again cannot face admitting they have a problem. More needs to be done to raise awareness on this distinction
@john free:
Very true John. Good points there.
@john free: have a look at http://www.smartrecovery.org . Stigma can be a barrier to people seeking the bit of help they require. As you say, addiction is not black and white, the grey areas are where most people exist. When we stop comparing our behaviours with others, our views will change from monochrome to what ever colour we choose.
@Nollaig Elliot: three weeks off it after two years really taking the “piss”
@Al Coholic: drinking 30 odd cups of coffee a day though.. cracking up lol
@Noel Ryan: @Nollaig Elliot: Haven’t seen any data on the difference between drinking in more and less well off areas in Ireland but in Scotland, which has pretty close to our mortality rate for alcohol, and where the culture wouldn’t be hugely different, the amount of alcohol consumed and the prevalence of binging tends to be the same across socioeconomic groups (e.g. http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-39876364), so it’s not the case that the less well off continue drinking at high levels after their better off age peers slow down. The problem is that the less well off are far less insulated from the harms caused by alcohol, have less access to healthcare, less employment opportunities, less access to recovery services and tend to be made more visible in the justice system etc.
@Ireland Unlocked: Well my experience is obviously only anecdotal but it would suggest otherwise. I can’t think of one my peers who is regularly abusing alcohol still in their 30′s, apart from the rare blow out. Why would access to healthcare have a material affect on their response to drinking if they’re not even drinking as much?
@Noel Ryan: “Why would access to healthcare have a material affect on their response to drinking if they’re not even drinking as much?”.
I didn’t say they’re not even drinking as much – I said that from the data I have seen, consumption rates tend to be the same across groups and pointed at an example of that data. I don’t claim some superhuman insight into what your friends or the less well off (not suggesting they are exclusive groups) do.
“I can’t think of one my peers who is regularly abusing alcohol still in their 30′s, apart from the rare blow out.”
That’s a bit of a limited definition of drinking harmfully – a visible blowout. Consider how much you do actually know about their drinking habits, research clearly indicates we don’t even evaluate our own drinking levels that well, never mind others’. How many of them drink at home, what quantities do they drink there. We are learning more and more about how even levels of drinking that would be considered more moderate in Ireland can chronic problems because we pursue them habitually.
@Al Coholic:
Stay strong lad. It’s great way of living.
@Noel Ryan: you may be right, but rules have exceptions, 37, full time professional, two children, marriage of 10 years, turned to alcohol at home, nearly every night about two/ three years ago. Never would I have seen myself drink alone, or at home and here I am, one wine bottle in. Number two standing to attention. It’s a lonely road and I guess its up to me to drive off it but I enjoy it. And that’s tough.
@Commentimum: for the sake of your health mate I’d try an engineer at least 3 days off a week. The liver, kidneys and bladder need a break and if they don’t it will lead to unpleasant knock on effects (or serious ones).
As for addiction everyone’s different some very resilient to it others extremely prone. Only yourself can know that but if you conclude you are then AA is the way to go.
As for the 3 days off part a bit of 5 a side on a tues/wed night or something similar sport wise is a handy way to start
@Nollaig Elliot:
Have a read of This Naked Mind by Annie Grace, great book, as said above she covers that you don’t have to be an alcoholic for it to be a problem in your life..
Great to have such people but it’s a profitable business. Bressie charges upwards of 4,000 to speak to groups… so take from that what you will
@Liberal Larry: If he can change one persons perspective on life is it worth it.It is expensive but so is life…
@Michael Mulcahy: What about the socially and financially underprivileged who suffer most from this type of thing, who’s going to change their perspective? Or do we just not care as much? Does everything have to have a price and be expensive and that’s the end of it?
@Noel Ryan: thats not where im coming from no normal person can pay this nor can most people cover the cost of private councellors its the system in this country which leaves people on every level charge what they like it should b affordable to all parts of society.
@Michael Mulcahy: I get what you’re saying but such people make themselves out to martyrs and ambassadors for mental health, yet they reap the rewards. 4k is a lot of money and if you’re talking about how it might help 1 person could you imagine an investment of 4k into a schools/colleges/communities mental health provision would achieve? It’d pay a professional to come in and directly help a person or persons in a one to one capacity.
4k for 45 minutes or pay a counsellor to help those at risk?
@Liberal Larry: Bressie gave a talk at my brother in laws multinational company he works for. But the company only paid for permanent staff to attend! All the contractors and temp staff were excluded!
@Liberal Larry: Bressie spoke movingly at my daughters school and I know there was not €4,000 to throw to him. BTW he would be be well worth the fee. He has done so much to make it ok to talk about mental issues, with teenagers in particular. His book is also well worth reading
@Liberal Larry: Bressie does not charge any money for the talks he gives. You should visit his website, excellent resource for young adults with services such as free online CBT!
@Liberal Larry: Kevin o hara does free alcohol mastery videos on you tube. Very insightful.
@Chauncey Gardiner: sorry to burst your bubble Chauncey but he does.. as do a number of “advocates” from across Ireland. I’m not downgrading the message but a lot of it is profiteering.
@Liberal Larry: what started off as a campaign to raise awareness has turned into a good money spinner for him. Theres a lot of raising awareness campaigns going on at the moment but when is the government going to actually take some action.
@Liberal Larry: I can also confirm that he received €4,000 from my company.
Smart Recovery is also a resource that has nearly 50 weekly meetings across the country. Using evidence based behavioural techniques to help people with thoughts, emotions and feelings to challenge urges. Smart Recovery helps with all addictions and is free to attend.
alcohol is a drug plane and simple but our culture is alcohol driven. mind set has to change being aware of what alcohol does to our bodys is the key to change.alcohol breaks down protein synthesis in our bodys so anybody doing any type of fitness weights running cycling walking. alcohol should be your enemy…everything in moderation i am very surprised alcohol isnt spoken about much more and what it does to our bodies..
@Bobby Phelan: True enough, in my twenties there was a sports competition we all entered and anyone who drank was left standing by the younger staff who didn’t. There was so much more of that stupidly competitive drinking going on back then, especially for men buying rounds instead of people just taking a drink at their own pace, or not at all. Men and women felt they had to make an excuse or leave early to get out of that cycle. Less coaxing than controlling behaviour, I reckon.
Four well known Irish faces that most people wouldn’t have heard of, apart from Bressie who is well known for using depression as a cash cow.
@Weldoninhio: although I have no doubt he drank to self medicate and he’s quite clearly correct to knock it on the head I’m not sure he is an alcoholic. The most photogenic types often not suffering chronic problems are often trotted out as examples of mental health and addiction case studies. The likes of me don’t identify with these types at all. If you don’t develop full blown withdraw you are not an addict in my estimation. Shakes, sweats, waves of panic and dread, severe depression, hallucinations, delusions, convulsions and suicidal ideation without sleeping for days and not properly for a fortnight. Anything different to that in character is a hangover
@Al Coholic: He never claimed to be an alcoholic. He had, i believe, generalised anxiety disorder, as a child but he morphed this into depression etc in order to become poster boy and relieve people of their cash.
@Weldoninhio: I don’t know about any arrangements between the HSE and any of those featured here but I did notice that the article is sponsored by the HSE so the Journal is definitely profiting here.
I find that interesting because at least twice in the past year I’ve seen free pieces, one classed as ‘opinion’ given to the drink industry to propagandise – perhaps it’s advertiser perks.
@Al Coholic: one of the biggest things about quitting is that you no longer mask the issues that you’ve always been numbing..you are literally forced to peel back layers of the onion and improve your life, because there is no booze to numb the stress or pain.
@Bairéid Rísteard: very true. After acute withdrawal is resolved your in for a peroid of “restlessness, irritability and discontentment” until something is done to relieve it.
Drink is a big business in this country even TDs are advocates ( owning pubs ). But it is definitely our biggest social problem and not spoken about enough. Too many people making too much money off the back of this plight. I have seen the destructiveness of drink first hand too regularly.
All four of these lads were heavily involved with sport so maybe that’s the problem and not the drinking. I don’t play any sport and I enjoy the booze. #simples
Well, that’s competitive team sports. Aren’t there plenty of people who aren’t into that? People can go swimming or keep fit, or have a casual game with friends without the constant pressure of having to win at all costs.
I still couldnt name them!
I didn’t have a drinking problem until they forced Tesco to get rid of the €3.99 bottles of wine
@Tyrone Williams: 12.99 bottles of gin are decent, with a mixer they’re indistinguishable from decent tak
Unhealthy relationship wth booze motivated me to quit back in 1998. Recently due to stress n anxiety around work find myself battling to stay on wagon.
@Don Dealgan: dangerous to resume boozing after so long. Met plenty men that did just that and it didn’t work out well, some died. Rather than obsessing about alcohol talk to an addiction councillor for a reality check and a way to get your head on track again. Very demoralising to resume drinking just to end up realising why you have it up previously but being trapped again.
The title should be “3 well known Irish faces on how alcohol affected their mental health…..and a random quote from Bressie”
I drink a couple of glasses of red wine each evening in order to digest my food and to recover from work place stress and panic attacks due to working in a proverbial s-h job. Unfortunately I cannot afford to quit. If anyone would like to pay me 4k for a speaking engagement please let me know.
@Jeremy DeChad: Good luck cutting down, and maybe find other ways to wind down by trying them? Still, the stress of public speaking would be my worst nightmare, and I reckon he earns that.
@Jeremy DeChad: booze makes stress and panic attacks worse. Your brain chemistry is altered in its aftermath such that you are in an agitated state, even without previous anxiety, and your response to external stress is further inadequate. Can you afford to continue drinking?
Here’s an interesting one.
We have a large number of colleagues injured by isocyanates due to unprotected workplace exposure. Common effects include anxiety, depression, chronic fatigue, chronic idiopathic pain and IBS symptoms. Since 1980 at least 15 serving or former Air Corps personnel have committed suicide.
One interesting aspect that we noticed but could not explain was that sportspersons appear to have suffered the above health effects sooner than non sporty types. Recent information regarding our isocyanate exposure has also lead us to identify products where isocyanates are used and while we knew it was used to make all polyeurethane plastics and foams we now know it to be used to manufacture a lot of sports clothing especially with stretch fabrics such as lycra / elastane / spandex etc.
Is has lead us to suspect that in some cases depression is a symptom of an allergy.
@Chemical Brothers: you have a lot of merit in what you describe. However, try buy clothes without any plastic products. Even 100% woolly hats are near impossible to find. Organic cotton is the same, very difficult to find or mega expensive. Sports gear will always have polydamide in it.
@Bairéid Rísteard: Agree it is next to impossible to avoid synthetics but one mitigating action can be to NOT wear the product from NEW to reduce exposure to unreacted constituent chemical residues.
So advice to our colleagues is to wash new sports clothing containing polyurethane / lycra / spandex / elastane etc before wearing.
Don’t know about alcohol but currently I’m more worried about the effect my mental health is having on my sugar addiction…
I didn’t drink for 4 years as I have anxiety issues. I dealt with the issues very well and now I’m back enjoying a drink. Although 3 is the maximum amount I allow myself. In my opinion it’s not the drink that’s the problem, it’s the lack of self control.
I didn’t have a drinking problem until they forced Tesco to get rid of the €3.99 bottles of wine
Good to talk about this issue. A bit odd that no women in the line up. Hate that all the Irish jerseys are plastic and vastly overpriced. The heavy cotton tops were lovely.
That’s a shit article. Doesn’t drive home at all alcohol issues. A random quote by Bressie.
@Ciaran McGuinness: I agree, and sponsored by the HSE seriously, very frustrating to say the least.
@Ciaran McGuinness: I agree Ciaran, it’s so frustrating and sponsored by the HSE, seriously. It’s a shame that the the government does not tackle issues like this like it should, in my opinion that would be focusing on each strand of society seperately and facilitating individual needs with practical and accessible support services, ones that when I myself made the decision to cut alcohol out of my life were not there, surface shite articles like this make no difference imo. Ireland has a problem with alcohol because it has become more normal to get wasted than what it is to not drink, it’s ingrained in us from many years of generational misuse, people need to be educated and made aware on a consistent basis, I do know measures are been taken in schools now and that is a positive step in the right direction.
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