Alcohol abuse isn’t just responsible for problems with sexual function; it can actually lower your sex drive. While it’s normal for your libido, or sex drive, to fluctuate, chronic alcohol abuse increases the likelihood of having a decreased sex drive. This can be difficult to deal with and can result in additional mental health disorders or problems within relationships. This can happen to anyone at any age who engages in alcohol abuse.
Alcohol Abuse and Your Sex Drive
Many men who suffer from alcohol addiction may find that they have less interest in sex or no longer wish to engage in sexual intercourse. In some cases, you may even experience an aversion to sex. Sometimes this is caused by trouble with sexual performance, which is also associated with alcohol abuse – when you are unable to achieve an erection, you may find that your sex drive decreases as a result.
Why does this happen? Alcohol, particularly large quantities of alcohol consumed on an ongoing basis, can kill the healthy cells that produce sperm. This can cause low levels of sexual urges and a lack of desire. Although this is connected to chronic alcohol abuse, even periods of binge drinking can have a similar effect on the body. A low sex drive may even be linked to an overall loss of interest in things you previously enjoyed. When you are addicted to alcohol, you may find yourself consumed with thoughts about when and where you’ll get your next drink, not thinking about activities you like doing.
Side Effects of a Decreased Sex Drive
When a man finds himself uninterested in sex, he may start to wonder what’s wrong with him. Depending on individual communication styles, this can disrupt relationships and lead to self-doubt in both partners. Instead of getting to the root of the problem – alcohol abuse – it can escalate to misunderstandings, incorrect assumptions, and arguments.
A low libido may also be connected to anxiety and/or depression. Performance anxiety is a common subject when we talk about low sex drive, and anxiety in this arena of your life can start to touch on topics unrelated to sex, like work or school. Depression is also a possibility. When you don’t understand why you are experiencing a low sex drive you can become depressed, which may even cause you to further engage in alcohol abuse.
Treatment is available for those who are dealing with alcohol abuse and any of the problems that come with it. Side effects vary from person to person, but individualized treatment can make the difference between a lifetime of a low sex drive and a life in recovery, learning how to improve the situation.
If you or someone you love is suffering from the effects of alcohol abuse, substance addiction or any other type of addiction, please call us today. Our addiction treatment counselors can help you deal with physical, emotional and psychological consequences of drug and alcohol abuse. A substance abuse treatment program is effective, safe and has helped many men reclaim their lives. Destination Hope is a full service drug, alcohol and dual diagnosis treatment facility in Florida for men suffering from substance abuse and mental health issues.
