By Anonymous, Wed, July 20, 2011
People living with obsessive-compulsive disorder often find that alcohol helps ease some OCD symptoms. However, there is a downside.
According to OCD Symptoms, alcohol can make OCD symptoms seem more manageable, but only in the short term. The site writes:
OCD sufferers tend to crave control and order, and both of these are often much reduced after alcohol has been consumed. If anything shameful happens while “under the influence”, it can cause OCD sufferers a lot of distress. To counteract their feelings of shame and embarrassment, compulsive rituals are often stepped up in a bid to purge them.
Alcoholism is definitely a risk because the OCD sufferer might start relying on alcohol to temporarily relieve his or her symptoms. That temporary relief might outweigh the "hangover" effect the next day when OCD symptoms are intensified.
People who take OCD medications must be careful to make sure they can even drink alcohol. Many OCD medications do not mix well with alcohol, so check with your doctor or pharmacist.
