How Common Is Hangxiety?

Spoiler alert: you are not the only one who wakes up after drinking with your heart racing and your brain playing the “Wheel of Regret.” Hangxiety is surprisingly common.

The Stats

One study found that around 22% of people experience anxiety after drinking, with rates being even higher in people who already have anxiety disorders [3]. Another piece of research suggests that introverts are more prone to hangxiety than extroverts (apparently our nervous systems are just… more nervy) [4].

Why So Many of Us?

The mix of alcohol’s chemical rebound, disrupted sleep, and social pressure means most people are vulnerable. Add in the modern cocktail of Instagram stories and blurry WhatsApp chats, and no wonder hangxiety thrives in the 21st century.

The Good News

While common, hangxiety is temporary. And knowing that a whole chunk of the population is lying in bed the morning after with the same shaky hands and existential dread can be oddly comforting. Misery loves company, right?

References

[1] Stephens DN & Duka T. (2008). Cognitive and emotional consequences of binge drinking: role of amygdala and prefrontal cortex. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B.
[2] Wetherill RR & Fromme K. (2009). Alcohol-induced blackouts: a review of recent clinical research with practical implications. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs.
[3] Gill J, et al. (2019). The effects of alcohol hangover on mood and performance. Addiction.
[4] McCann SJH, et al. (1990). Personality differences in hangover susceptibility. Personality and Individual Differences.