Why Are Some People Mean Drunks?

Although alcohol creates a euphoric state, it can also lead to uninhibited behavior, aggression, or even rage. The “mean drunk” is an archetype portrayed across media, but there’s truth behind the term. A personality shift from amiable to angry can be unsettling for those witnessing it. Why alcohol has this effect on certain people involves its impact on the brain and the underlying conditions or environmental factors that can lead to aggression. 

What Is A “Mean Drunk”? 

Its definition ranges from someone more likely to create conflicts or say hurtful comments they might not if sober, to volatility. This alcohol-induced personality can also increase aggressive behavior, which can be emotional or physical. 

Alcohol & The Brain

For starters, to understand why some people become mean when drinking, it’s helpful to consider the brain on alcohol. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, which means it slows down brain activity. This delay can interfere with how your brain processes information. On a sober day, you might be more likely to register the body language of someone when you’ve hurt their feelings than when drunk. 

Alcohol also disrupts the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for rational decision-making, impulse control, and emotional regulation. With the prefrontal cortex impaired from drinking, people may struggle to keep their emotions in check or weigh the consequences of their actions. 

You might rationally understand, when sober, that certain comments are not okay to say, but feel uninhibited to tell them when drinking. The impact of alcohol on the prefrontal cortex also explains why people regret their decisions after a night of heavy drinking. People are less likely to focus on how current actions could impact the future when alcohol is involved (1). 

The amygdala is the brain’s emotional center and alarm system. When alcohol comes into play, it can increase the perception of a threat, whether this threat exists or not. Alcohol also heightens activity in the amygdala, which can intensify feelings of anger or frustration.

Why Some Personalities Are More Likely To Be Aggressive

There might be an explanation as to why not everyone is mean when they drink. Those with aggressive tendencies or poor impulse control may be more likely to exhibit mean behavior when intoxicated. This is often referred to as "alcohol myopia," a state where a person focuses on immediate emotions or stimuli rather than considering the bigger picture.

The Role Of Someone’s Environment

Differences in cultural norms and attitudes around drinking may also play a role. Some cultures associate heavy drinking with assertiveness or machismo, whereas other cultures emphasize composure and moderation, which can reduce aggressive tendencies. There’s also a gendered disparity when it comes to men who are allowed, glorified, and tolerated to show anger or aggression. However, this does not mean that women are immune to aggression when drinking. 

Someone’s environment can also be a precursor to mean or aggressive tendencies. Drinking in a setting prone to conflict, such as a crowded bar, can exacerbate aggressive tendencies.

Mental Health And Drinking

Alcohol and mental health have a cyclical relationship. Some people use alcohol to mask or self-soothe underlying mental health conditions, like depression or anxiety. Because alcohol lowers inhibitions, these conditions can worsen when drinking. Some mental health conditions are associated with difficulty regulating emotions or managing stress—alcohol is a catalyst for exacerbating this stress. 

Alcohol & Emotion Regulation

Not everyone with an underlying mental health condition will have increased aggression or be an angry drinker. When some people suppress their anger while sober, it might be unleashed when someone drinks. 

Though there are phrases like “a drink to calm the nerves,” alcohol is never a long-term solution for emotion regulation, which is the ability to manage and respond to an emotional experience. 

Drinking can worsen or thwart someone’s ability to regulate their feelings. Further, alcohol use disorder (AUD) can contribute to mood swings and irritability. Chronic drinking alters brain chemistry over time, potentially leading to heightened aggression even when someone isn’t intoxicated. 

Does The Type of Alcohol Matter To Aggression?

There’s no definitive research that certain types of alcohol make people meaner, but some think that spirits can lead to increased aggression. This makes sense when you consider that spirits have higher alcohol content, leading to faster intoxication. 

Binge drinking, or consuming a large amount of alcohol in a short period, is associated with aggression. Rapid intoxication overwhelms the brain’s ability to regulate emotions and behavior, increasing the likelihood of mean or violent actions.

A 2016 study found that alcohol mixed with energy drinks is associated with increased levels of young adults’ aggression in alcohol-related bar conflicts (2). 

If Someone Is Aggressive When Drinking

As aggression can lead to emotional and physical violence, it’s urgent for people who have this tendency to curb or stop drinking. There’s a strong link between drinking and domestic violence. 

According to the United States Bureau of Justice Statistics, alcohol was a factor in up to 37 percent of violent crimes committed between 1997 and 2008 (1). Alcohol increases the risk of poor anger management.

In reported domestic abuse, alcohol was present in 40 to 60 percent of cases. If someone you love exhibits aggressive or violent behavior when drinking, resources are available. Someone’s actions from drinking are not your fault. 

For people prone to aggression when intoxicated, interventions to reduce or stop drinking are critical. Further, tending to the underlying reasons why people have this behavior can be impactful. An addiction counselor who can address these causes can help. Setting limits on the amount of drinks and learning new coping mechanisms are useful tools. 

The reasons that people become mean when drinking are complex, and based on a variety of factors such as the brain, emotion regulation, someone’s environment, and sometimes, the speed at which alcohol is consumed. Saying things you regret or increased aggression while drinking is a great reason to stop or reduce your alcohol intake. 

Are You Drinking Too Much?

Is drinking affecting your job? Is alcohol harming your health or relationships? Does your drinking worry you? Ever tried to drink less but failed?

If any of this sounds familiar, Oar Health might be right for you. Oar Health offers medication FDA-approved for the treatment of alcohol problems. A daily pill to drink less or quit. 

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