What is the link between alcohol and ocd?

Hi. I am not sure but I will share that after I hit a year of sobriety, I exprienced intense symptoms of OCD. I’ve always had symptoms of OCD but didn’t know they were OCD. I believe alcohol was repressing my OCD and when I got sober it manifested in a different way which led me to get treatment.

I’ve read it just makes it worse they don’t really give any reason besides it causes more anxiety atleast in the article I read. But I’m still struggling with alcohol I don’t drink and excessive amount but I drink frequently. It takes away my ocd almost completely while I’m drinking which is my problem so I am somewhat dependent on it. But I also have gone a long time without it before I just pick it up whenever I am going through an update episode which is bad.

First of all, I rarely drink alcohol and never in excess. I never have more than 2 drinks and drink 2 or 3 times a year at most. I also don't take any psych meds. If I am am experiencing social anxiety only alcohol helps me be more mellow and relaxed. But if I am triggered or in the midst of an OCD spike, drinking alcohol is a bad idea. I found this out at my cousin's wedding this past August. I got triggered in a few different ways at the reception. My anxiety was WAY up and I was having a ton of intrusive thoughts. I thought having a drink would help. It didn't. In fact, it made everything 10xs worse. Also, alcohol and psych meds don't mix. It is never a good idea to drink if you are on an SSRI

Substance abuse is often an offset issue with mental disorders. This, however, is treating a problem by developing another problem. Like throwing yourself down the stairs with a broken leg. From a psychological standpoint, I think those with ocd are often the same people with addictive behaviors.

Alcohol usually makes my ocd worse, last time I drank I had a panic attack, so I’ve been afraid to drink ever since