The link between addiction and depression is strong. Substance abuse is all too prevalent among those who are also dealing with a mental health disorder. One doesn’t necessarily lead to the other in one way. According to reports in the Journal of the American Medical Association, 37% of people who abuse alcohol and 53% of people who abuse drugs are also suffering from one serious mental illness or more. In addition, 29% of those who suffer from a mental health disorder.
Alcohol consumption can lead to depression, making you sad, lethargic, and feeling hopeless because of the depressive effect alcohol has on the nervous system. Alternatively, people who suffer from mental health disorders like depression can turn to substance abuse to numb painful experiences or mask depression. The disorders feed off of one another and result in a dual diagnosis – or co-occurring disorder that can lead to more severe forms of each disorder. A residential treatment center like Solution Based Treatment can help treat both disorders in a caring, comfortable, and medically supervised environment.
Depression and Addiction
The signs that can indicate you or a loved one may have an addiction, or be suffering from depression, often happen at the same time. While symptoms can vary, there are some common physical symptoms to be on the lookout for. Signs that you may need professional medical help for substance use and/or a co-occurring mental health disorder can include:
- Risky behavior
- Avoiding friends and family
- Using substances in secret
- Acting out in uncharismatic ways
- Drastic changes in routines and habits
- Shirking important responsibilities
- No control over substance use
- Not being able to function without substances
- Bloodshot or glazed eyes
- Dilated pupils
- Lack of coordination and balance
Treating a Dual Diagnosis
Millions of people deal with a substance use disorder each year, and many of these same people are dealing with a co-occurring mental health issue. The National Survey on Drug Use & Health reported that more than 9 million adults in the United States are battling mental issues and a substance use disorder at the same time. In the past, people with mental health and substance abuse issues would get treated separately for each issue. It was only in the 1990s when the medical professionals started treating them together as a dual diagnosis.
Conditions like addiction and depression share similar risk factors, so it makes sense to treat them together. Stress, genetics, and trauma are among the risk factors. People can become dependent on a substance because of a misdiagnosed or mistreated mental health disorder. Oftentimes, drugs and alcohol are thought to be a way to deal with things like depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, or OCD. Unfortunately, this self-medicating approach can lead to a dependence on the substance and result in needing treatment for more than just their mental health disorder. It can even lead to developing additional mental health disorders. The safest course of action is to contact a residential treatment center like Solution Based Treatment.
Contact SBT Today to Get Treatment Started
Rehabilitation for substance abuse, mental health disorders, and co-occurring disorders takes time. The length of treatment increases when there is more than one disorder to treat.
At Solution Based Treatment, we understand the connection between co-occurring disorders like depression and addiction. Some of the substance use and mental health disorders we help treat include:
- Alcohol addiction
- Opioid addiction
- Heroin addiction
- Benzo addiction
- Meth addiction
- Cocaine addiction
- Marijuana addiction
- Prescription drug addiction
- Depression
- Bipolar disorder
- Anxiety
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Our caring and professional team is available to answer any questions you may have about treatment for a substance use or mental health disorder, as well as a dual diagnosis. Contact the team today at 833.999.1941.