Drastic changes in mood, attitude, and energy are three common signs that someone has begun to abuse alcohol or another drug. When someone abuses or becomes addicted to certain drugs that make you angry, the changes to their personality and behaviors can also include increased anger, aggressiveness, or even violence.
Angry Outbursts: Is My Loved One Using Drugs?
When a person begins to abuse drugs on a regular basis, or when they become addicted to a substance that they have been misusing, changes in brain chemistry can cause them to behave in uncharacteristic and unpredictable ways.
They may have difficulty accurately perceiving their environment, they may become more reckless and impulsive, and they may begin to deal with challenges or distressing emotions by lashing out with anger or violence.
(Please note that these changes could also indicate that an individual is dealing with a mental health concern, or is simply struggling with overwhelming stress, so it’s important not to jump to conclusions without investigating further.)
If you determine that your loved one’s behavioral changes are related to substance abuse, knowing which drug or drugs they have been using can help you find the right treatment options for them. As we will discuss in the next section, many drugs that make you angry are unfortunately common in the U.S.
Drugs that Make You Angry
The specific way that people are affected by various addictive substances can vary considerably from one person to the next. Factors such as the individual’s age and development level, gender, weight and metabolism, substance abuse history, and mental health can all influence how they react when they use different drugs.
Having established that, the following are examples of drugs that make you angry or that can cause you to otherwise act in an irrational and/or dangerous manner.
Alcohol: When a person consumes alcohol, this drug can initially act as a stimulant. At first, someone who is drinking may become happier, more outgoing, and less inhibited. Over time, though, the alcohol will begin to act like a depressant. This can lead to slurred speech, impaired coordination, and diminished cognition. Depending on the individual, alcohol can also lead to agitation, irritability, and anger.
An October 2013 study in the journal Deutsches Arzteblatt International reported the following statistics about alcohol, anger, and violence:
- As many as 50% of men who are addicted to alcohol display violent behaviors.
- When compared with people who don’t abuse alcohol, those who engage in “detrimental alcohol consumption” are five times more likely to become involved in violent encounters.
- Intimate partner violence occurs four times more frequently among alcohol-dependent men than among those who aren’t addicted to the drug.
Cocaine: Cocaine use typically triggers an intense euphoric rush along with a significant increase in energy, focus, and confidence. This is often followed by a physical and psychological crash, which can prompt a person to use the drug over and over again. In addition to the risk of addiction, chronic cocaine use can also lead to paranoia, delusions, and psychosis – all of which can contribute to outbursts of anger and violence.
According to an article by W. Alexander Morton, Pharm D, of The Medical University of South Carolina, cocaine’s ability to cause “dramatic change in levels of norepinephrine and serotonin in other parts of the brain might provoke aggression, hyperactivity, impaired judgment, and paranoia.”
Meth: Methamphetamine’s impact on the brain can lead to several problematic outcomes, including paranoia, psychosis, anger, and violence. According to a December 2010 study on the Psychiatric News website, meth can damage part of the brain’s prefrontal cortex, which may lead to diminished emotional insight and elevated aggression. The connection between meth and violence has also been documented in other studies:
- A May 2014 study in the journal Addiction found “a dose-related increase in violent behavior when an individual was using methamphetamine compared with when they were not.”
- An October 2010 study in the Journal of Substance Abuse found that 57% of women who were receiving treatment for meth addiction had committed at least one act of violence toward another person, typically intimate partner violence.
Bath salts: The term “bath salts” can refer to a variety of lab-created stimulants, typically synthetic cathinones, that can cause a person to become agitated, combative, and aggressive. Bath salts received widespread news coverage in the early 2010s, primarily due to reports of horrific assaults that were attributed to people who were believed to be under the influence of these drugs.
A March 2016 study in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology reported that, following an initial boost in energy and empathy, people who use bath salts can experience a crash that involves “depression, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, panic attacks, excited delirium, bouts of violent aggression towards self and others, and combativeness.”
While the four drugs mentioned in this section have been closely linked with anger and violence, they are by no means the only substances that can have this type of effect.
Examples of other drugs that make you angry include amphetamine, Spice (which is sometimes referred to as K2 or synthetic marijuana), phencyclidine (PCP), and anabolic steroids.
What Should I Do if My Loved One Becomes Angry From Using Drugs?
If a loved one becomes angry after abusing alcohol, cocaine, meth, or any other substances, your first priority should be to ensure your own safety. This includes protecting yourself from verbal harassment as well as from physical attacks or assaults.
Someone who acts in such an unacceptable manner while using substances needs professional help. You cannot cure your loved one, but you can help them find the care they need. However, any conversations about their behaviors and their treatment options should only occur in a safe place when they are not under the influence of any mind-altering drug.
Here are some resources that can help:
- Al-Anon Family Groups
- Nar-Anon Family Groups
- SAMHSA family support page
- National Domestic Violence Hotline, which you can also reach by calling 800-799-SAFE (7233)
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which can also be accessed by calling 988 from any phone in the U.S.
Reach Out to Los Angeles Detox to Help Your Loved One
Los Angeles Detox offers a full continuum of personalized treatment services to adults who have become addicted to alcohol and other drugs. We also serve adults whose struggles with substance abuse are accompanied by anger management problems and certain other co-occurring mental and behavioral health concerns.
Programming options at our addiction treatment center in Los Angeles include detoxification, residential care, multiple outpatient programs, and online treatment. In each of these programs, your loved one’s care will be guided by a customized plan that is based on a thorough assessment of their history, needs, and goals.
To learn more or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Contact page or call us today.
