May is mental health awareness: alcohol
•May 6, 2026•
Lauren Edwards
Community Outreach Coordinator Virginia Recovery Centers
After a long, stressful day, it’s tempting to reach for a drink. For many, that glass of wine or cocktail can feel like a fast track to unwinding, taking the edge off, or briefly quieting anxious thoughts. It’s a ritual that’s widely normalized (and even encouraged). But this May Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s worth taking a closer look at the connection between alcohol and emotional well-being (and why self-medicating with alcohol often backfires).
As Community Outreach Coordinator at Virginia Recovery Centers (an alcohol and drug rehab in Virginia), I’ve seen how many of those I’ve worked with didn’t set out to rely on alcohol to cope; it simply became the easiest and most accessible tool. While it may offer short-term relief, using alcohol to manage emotions tends to create more challenges over time than it resolves. Here’s what to keep in mind.
Self-medicating isn’t about weakness or lack of willpower. It’s about trying to feel better with the tools available. Many people turn to alcohol to cope with anxiety, depression, chronic stress, burnout, or unresolved emotional pain. Alcohol works quickly and can create a temporary sense of relaxation, reduce social inhibition, and numb uncomfortable feelings. For someone who feels overwhelmed or emotionally exhausted, that relief can feel significant (and even necessary). But that relief is short-lived.