By Isaac Atunlute
In 2021, Afrobeats singer Joeboy’s summer hit “Alcohol” struck a chord with many young Nigerians struggling with emotional turmoil. The chorus became an anthem for a generation quietly battling anxiety, burnout and economic pressure.
Amid overwhelming mental distress from work and economic pressure, alcohol is typically considered an escape–the quick fix to mute the noise. But can a shot of tequila truly ease your depression?
Globally, millions struggle with depression, and alcohol misuse contributes to more than 3 million deaths every year.
While alcohol may offer a fleeting sense of relief, science shows a troubling truth: increased dopamine leaves an unpleasant aftermath, causing disrupted sleep, increased anxiety, and mood swings.
In time, the brain becomes desensitised to dopamine and serotonin–key mood-regulating chemicals–resulting in a more depressive state.
“What people don’t often realise is that alcohol is a depressant. It slows down brain function and impairs reasoning, which can make feelings of sadness and hopelessness worse,” notes Amaka Okoye, a specialist in addiction. “The more you drink to forget, the more your brain remembers the pain when the effects wear off.”
Okoye adds that individuals who depend on alcohol to cope with depression are twice as likely to develop Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and far less likely to seek professional help early.
With clinical therapy out of reach in many communities, people turn to the easy and cheap alternative—the bottle.
But the downward spiral is subtle: a bad day becomes a drink; a bad week becomes routine. Before long, alcohol becomes the gatekeeper to sleep, to social interaction, and to numbing pain.
Temi Jacob, 28, took to drinking after losing her banking job. Amid the feeling of emptiness that plagued her, it helped her to sleep well. “Then it became something I couldn’t stop, even when I felt worse the next day,” she said.
Temi’s experience echoes a broader youth crisis in Nigeria
While alcohol may dull emotional distress momentarily, it inhibits the brain’s natural ability to regulate mood and sleep, common symptoms of depression.
Beyond the physiological risks is the social behaviour it creates, particularly among young adults, who learn to mask their despair in the bottle
Cognitive-behavioural therapy, regular exercise, journaling, and social connection have proven to be stronger long-term outcomes in treating depression than alcohol ever could. Resources like BetterHelp, Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative and even 24/7 hotlines provide professional help.
As mental health becomes a critical public concern, debunking the age-old myth of alcohol as a crutch is equally important. What we need is not another drink, but deeper conversations, safer spaces, and professional interventions.
Many young Nigerians, resonating with Joeboy's 2021 summer hit “Alcohol,” have turned to alcohol as a temporary escape from the pressures of anxiety, burnout, and economic challenges. However, while alcohol may provide short-term relief, its effects can worsen depression by impairing brain function, disrupting mood regulation, and leading to prolonged depressive states. People relying on alcohol risk developing Alcohol Use Disorder and may delay seeking professional help. Temi Jacob's experience with alcohol after job loss highlights how a temporary solution can spiral into dependency.
Alcohol's detrimental impact includes social behaviors where young adults masking their distress behind drinking. Effective long-term treatments such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, regular exercise, journaling, and social connections outperform alcohol in managing depression. Studies demonstrate the importance of accessing mental health resources like BetterHelp, Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative, and 24/7 hotlines. As mental health concerns rise, it is crucial to discredit the myth of alcohol as a coping mechanism and focus on professional support and open discussions.
