A drink at the end of a hard day can feel like relief. It takes the edge off, helps you fall asleep and quiets your thoughts, at least for a while. But if you've been feeling low, you may have noticed that the relief doesn't last, and the next day can feel even heavier. Alcohol and depression often travel together, and each can make the other worse. This guide explains why people drink when they're low, how alcohol can deepen depression, signs the two are feeding each other, why treating both together helps and some small first steps.
This post is general information, not medical advice, a diagnosis or a treatment plan. No judgment here. Wherever you are with drinking, you deserve support.
Safety first: if someone has been drinking and has a seizure, severe confusion, hallucinations or trouble breathing, call 911 right away.
Alcohol and depression, a two-way street
The link between alcohol and depression runs in both directions. Feeling depressed can make drinking more tempting, and drinking can make depression worse.
MedlinePlus, from the U.S. National Library of Medicine, notes that drinking may mask depression, and that a mood disorder may become more noticeable when someone stops drinking. It also notes that drinking significantly may cause depression and anxiety. In other words, it can be hard to tell which came first, and it often matters less than breaking the cycle.
Why people drink when they feel low
Drinking to cope with depression makes sense in the moment. People may drink to:
Numb painful feelings. Alcohol can briefly blur sadness, worry or loneliness.
Sleep. It might help you nod off, especially when your mind is racing.
Feel more at ease socially. A drink can make gatherings feel less draining.
Escape. It can feel like a break from a life that feels heavy.
None of these reasons makes you weak. They're understandable ways of trying to feel better, especially when you're tired and hurting. The problem is that the relief is short-lived, and the costs add up.
How alcohol can deepen depression
So, does alcohol make depression worse? It can, in several ways:
The next-day dip. You might notice lower mood, anxiety or irritability the day after drinking.
Sleep. MedlinePlus lists sleep problems (insomnia) among the possible complications of heavy drinking. Poor sleep, in turn, can make low mood harder to manage.
Isolation. Drinking can lead to pulling away from people and activities that might otherwise help.
Guilt and shame. Regret about drinking can feed the harsh, hopeless thoughts that come with depression.
Over time, this can become a loop: feel low, drink, feel worse, drink again.
Signs the two are feeding each other
You might notice:
drinking more often, or more each time, to get the same relief
feeling worse the day after drinking, then drinking again to cope
relying on alcohol to sleep or to face social situations
hiding how much you drink, or feeling defensive about it
losing interest in things you used to enjoy
friends or family expressing worry
This isn't a checklist to score. If any of these feel familiar, it's worth talking with someone.
Why treating both together helps
It's tempting to think you need to fix one before the other. In practice, working on both together often makes more sense, because they're so tangled. If you only work on mood, drinking can keep pulling you down. If you only cut back on drinking, the depression underneath may still be there.
A therapist for alcoholism and depression can help you look at the whole picture: what the drinking does for you, what's underneath the low mood and what might work better. You don't need to label yourself an alcoholic to get help. You can start wherever you are. Our counselling for depression page explains how we approach low mood.
What counselling looks like
Counselling for drinking and depression is collaborative and non-judgmental. Your therapist may draw on approaches such as:
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Noticing the thoughts and triggers that lead to drinking or low mood, and practising new ways to cope.
Motivational interviewing. A supportive way of exploring your own reasons for change, without pressure or lectures.
Building a life with more support. Reconnecting with people, routines and activities that bring meaning.
Your goals are yours. Some people want to stop drinking. Others want to cut back. A therapist can help you explore what feels right. You can also change your goal along the way. Counselling isn't about meeting someone else's standard. It's about finding a path that helps you feel better and stay safe.
Small steps you can try
These are ideas, not a medical plan. If you drink heavily every day, read the safety note below first.
Track it. Write down when you drink, how much and how you feel before and after. Patterns can be eye-opening.
Try alcohol-free days. Pick a few days a week to skip drinking, and notice how you feel.
Plan for hard moments. Have another option ready for the times you usually drink, like a walk, a call or a warm shower.
Tell someone. Sharing your goal with a trusted person can make it easier to stick with.
If you're unsure whether your drinking is a problem, our post on grey area drinking explores the space between "fine" and "addiction."
A safety note on stopping
If you drink heavily or every day, don't stop suddenly on your own. MedlinePlus explains that alcohol withdrawal can be very uncomfortable and even life threatening, and that someone who has been drinking a lot should cut back or stop only under the care of a health care provider. Medical care is needed for safety.
If you or someone else has a seizure, severe confusion, hallucinations or an irregular heartbeat after stopping drinking, call 911.
What you might notice when you cut back
If you reduce or stop drinking, it can take time to feel better. As MedlinePlus notes, low mood that was masked by drinking may become more noticeable at first. That doesn't mean cutting back was a mistake. It may simply mean the depression underneath needs attention too. This is one more reason to have support in place. A therapist can help you through the ups and downs, and help you tell the difference between a hard week and something that needs more care.
For partners and family
If someone you love is drinking to cope with low mood, it's natural to feel worried, frustrated or helpless. Try to lead with care rather than criticism: "I've noticed you seem really down, and I'm worried about you." Counselling can support you too, whether or not your loved one is ready to get help.
Your first step
We offer counselling for drinking and depression together, in person in Waterloo, Kitchener, Cambridge and Ottawa, and online anywhere in Ontario on a secure, encrypted video platform.
Sessions with our therapists range from $130 to $200, depending on the clinician.
Depending on your plan, insurance may cover some or all of the cost. Coverage varies, so check your plan.
We accept Health Spending Accounts (HSAs).
We can direct bill many insurers, including for sessions with a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying). Desjardins is the exception: through TELUS eClaims, we can direct bill Desjardins for sessions with an RSW, RP or psychologist, but not for an RP (Qualifying).
Book a free 15-minute consultation with our admin team. You can share as much or as little as you like.
If you're in crisis: if you or anyone else is in immediate danger, call 911. If you're having thoughts of suicide, call or text 9-8-8 any time. More options are on our crisis lines page.
You don't have to choose between your mood and your drinking. You can get help with both.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Sources
Alcohol use disorder, MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine (NIH)
Mental Health Issues: Alcohol Use Disorder and Common Co-occurring Conditions, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIH)