Quitting alcohol can significantly reduce anxiety levels for many people, including ‘hangxiety’. This is largely because drinking alcohol can make anxiety worse. Drinking alcohol can cause a chemical imbalance in the brain and hyperactivity in the nervous system, leading to increased anxiety. Learning more about the connection between alcohol and anxiety can help illuminate the ways in which alcohol may be affecting your mental health, and how cutting back or quitting can provide relief. By cutting back on drinking you’re also less likely to experience alcohol-related shame and guilt, which in turn can reduce anxiety.