Depression is often coexistent with drug addiction; sometimes as one of the root causes, while other times as a result of substance abuse. Regardless, clinical depression must be treated along with substance abuse issues in order to reduce the likelihood of relapse. Chronic depression is very frequently related to the withdrawal from addicting drugs and is experienced more frequently among addicts than most people realize.
Depression and Substance Abuse
The terms “depression” or “being depressed” tend to be thrown about lightly and used to describe a person who is upset or feeling down about something in his life. From a clinical standpoint, however, true depression is more than mere feelings of sadness or discontent. It is a mood disorder with specific symptoms that can lead to physical maladies or other more serious mental issues. Often times, those suffering from chemical dependency are also simultaneously suffering from clinical depression.
Depression is not just having the blues. It often seriously impacts a person’s ability to function in their daily life. Many people with depression feel that life is no longer worth living. They may feel hopeless, like there’s “no way out.” Some symptoms of depression include feeling sad, hopeless, worthless, or pessimistic. People with depression often have behavior changes, such as new eating and sleeping patterns.
Depression is a mental health condition that often coexists with substance abuse because many addicts use alcohol and drugs to mask their symptoms. Doctors call this “self-medicating”. When the effect of the drugs wears off, the depression returns and the cycle continues many times leading to addiction. During addiction treatment, untreated depression can interfere with the addiction recovery process and may lead to relapse. Also, an untreated addiction problem often leads to depression in individuals and creates a cycle of relapse.
Recovery Ways Treatment of Depression
Recovery Ways recognizes the dangers of chronic depression and its potential to cause a recurring cycle of drug use and recovery. Our treatment program includes dealing with the addict’s sense of self-worth which is often compromised as they begin to understand the destruction their addiction has caused others. At Recovery Ways, addiction treatment for someone suffering form depression focuses on the roots of the addiction and its consequences. Our process includes a clear understanding of the relationship between addiction, recovery, depression and relapse. We establish an effective individual treatment plan for our patients suffering from depression by treating both the depression and the addiction.
As part of an integrated approach to recovery from chemical dependency, Recovery Ways provides social bonding and learning opportunities that help reinforce the idea of self-worth in the mind of the addict. In addition, our certified medical staff can incorporate any medical assistance necessary in order to stabilize an individual and help him or her overcome any depression experienced during withdrawal. Finally, aftercare programs and local support groups give the recovering addict a means of continuing their treatment in the long term so that they can remain drug free.
Recovery Ways specializes in treating a wide variety of addictions and co-occurring disorders, for more information on how to get you or your loved one help, call us toll- free: (888) 986-7848.
