If you have an addiction and feel depressed all the time, you may not realize that both conditions are related. Furthermore, you may know that one condition may be the reason why the other condition exists. Yet, there is a strong link between depression and addiction. Both conditions are known as co-occurring disorders. Detox center programs often include treatment for both conditions.
Therapists use dual diagnosis to identify depression and addiction and assign a treatment plan for each condition simultaneously. With the right plan in place, you have a fighting chance to manage the symptoms of depression and recovery from addiction simultaneously. A comprehensive treatment program can give you a better sense of wellness once you complete your rehab. If you need help with addiction and mental health conditions, Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida can help. Contact us today at 866.294.5306 for more information.
Understanding the Link Between Depression and Addiction
There are three ways in which depression and addiction are linked.
Depression Triggers the Addiction
If you have a hard time dealing with depression, you are not alone. Most people feel like they’re unable to manage the symptoms of anxiety, depression, or similar disorders. When depression is at its worst, you may have turned to drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism. You may drink to relax your mind. However, that soon turns into a habit that turns into a full-blown addiction.
However, you may not realize that it was your depression that led to the addiction. It is only after you join a substance abuse detox program that you understand the connection between your depression and your addiction. Once you learn to manage the symptoms of depression, you will be more equipped to handle your addiction.
The Addiction Led to Depression
Long-term addiction alters brain function. Over time, drug or alcohol abuse can suppress the release of dopamine or serotonin, which produces feelings of pleasure and regulates mood. These chemicals are why you may feel sad or anxious after you have been binging alcohol or taking drugs for long periods. For instance, you may notice that the same substance that used to make you feel good has now turned on you.
However, instead of getting help at an addiction treatment center, you end up in a vicious cycle of addiction and depression that you can’t seem to escape. Regardless of your mental health issue, your brain has developed a dependency on the substance. Professional help is the only way out of your condition.
Both Conditions Exist Independently
Although there is a clear link between depression and addiction, treatment professionals are not always sure which condition existed first or triggered the other condition. Dual diagnosis may identify both conditions but does not necessarily point back to their origin. This can make diagnosis and treatment more challenging if you have co-occurring disorders. Symptoms of co-occurring disorders include:
- Sudden changes in behavior
- Risky behavior
- Using a substance to self-medicate
- Social isolations
- Mood swings
In some instances, depression and addiction may co-exist independently. In other words, one condition did not necessarily trigger the other. What is important, however, is that your treatment professional identifies both conditions during your assessment. If you do not deal with your depression, your efforts to get clean may not come to fruition. If you believe that you have clinical depression and addiction, please discuss your condition with your treatment specialist.
Get Help for Co-Occurring Disorders at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida
Are you struggling with co-occurring disorders? If so, help is available at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida. Our treatment specialists can assess your condition, identify both disorders, and recommend a treatment plan that brings you to full recovery. We can help you achieve lifelong recovery from addiction and any mental health issue you may have.
To find out more about your treatment options, contact Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida at 866.294.5306, or contact us online. Let us help you get on the road to recovery from depression and addiction without relapse.
