According to the journal Addiction, people who avoid drinking alcohol may be at higher risk for becoming victims of depression. A new study the journal recently featured titled “Teetotallers more likely to be depressed” describes that “there has been mounting evidence that low levels of alcohol consumption may also be associated with poor mental health possibly due to abstainers having other health problems or being reformed heavy drinkers.“

According to their website, Addiction publishes peer-reviewed research reports on alcohol, illicit drugs, tobacco and behavioral addictions, bringing together research conducted within many different disciplines. This new study drew from resources including the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT Study) based in Norway, taking into consideration the drinking habits and mental health of over 38,000 individuals. Using this compilation of data, the authors gave a compelling argument that people who drank no alcohol for two weeks were actually more likely than moderate drinkers to report symptoms of depression during the same period. Of particular interest, people who specifically labeled themselves “abstainers” yielded the highest risk of depression. Age and a variety of physical health problems, as well as social relationships accounted for some, but not all of this increased risk.

Correlations also exist that indicate fourteen percent of current non-drinkers (abstainers) had previously been heavy drinkers, although this could not be used as evidence to explain the majority of increased risk of depression amongst abstainers. According to the authors, “abstinence may be associated with being socially marginalized or particular personality traits that may also be associated with mental illness,” taking into consideration cultures where fairly regular alcohol consumption is the norm. In spite of these new surprising statistics, present recommended consumption for men is no more than three to four drinks each day, with a slightly lower two to three drinks for women.

Tags: alcohol, depression, Health