Long-term alcohol use can significantly affect emotional regulation, leading to a range of emotional and behavioral changes. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) [1], alcohol can alter the brain's neurotransmitter systems, which can result in various emotional and mental health issues.

Prolonged alcohol use can cause changes in the brain's levels of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, dopamine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) [1]. These neurotransmitters play a crucial role in regulating emotions, mood, and behavior. As a result, long-term alcohol use can lead to emotional instability, irritability, anxiety, and depression [1].

Moreover, long-term alcohol use can also affect the brain's prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for decision-making, impulse control, and emotional regulation [2]. This can result in impaired judgment, impulsivity, and difficulty regulating emotions, leading to emotional outbursts, mood swings, and other emotional regulation problems [2].

Additionally, long-term alcohol use can lead to alcohol use disorder (AUD), a chronic and relapsing brain disorder characterized by the inability to stop or control alcohol use despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences [1]. AUD can further exacerbate emotional regulation problems, as individuals with AUD may use alcohol as a coping mechanism to manage negative emotions, leading to a vicious cycle of emotional dysregulation and alcohol use [1].

In summary, long-term alcohol use can significantly affect emotional regulation by altering the brain's neurotransmitter systems and prefrontal cortex, leading to emotional instability, irritability, anxiety, depression, impulsivity, and difficulty regulating emotions. These emotional regulation problems can be further exacerbated by alcohol use disorder, leading to a vicious cycle of emotional dysregulation and alcohol use.

Sources:

1. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2021). Alcohol's Effects on the Body. <https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/short-term-effects>.
2. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2021). Alcohol Use Disorder. <https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/overview-alcohol-consumption/moderate-binge-drinking>.
3. DrugPatentWatch.com. (2023). Alcohol Addiction Treatment Drugs. <https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/disease-area/alcohol-addiction-treatment-drugs/>.