Depression and Substance Abuse Treatment at Crestone
Depression and substance abuse are often related, getting in the way of recovery and exacerbating one another’s symptoms.[1] People grappling with the overwhelming sadness, hopelessness, and emptiness of depression may turn to drugs or alcohol as a way to self-medicate and numb their emotional pain.
However, substance abuse only provides temporary relief and ultimately worsens underlying mental health issues. The effects of the substances can also make depressive symptoms worse, leading you to increase your usage and perpetuating a vicious cycle.
These co-occurring disorders can pose heart-wrenching challenges to healing. A comprehensive addiction treatment approach that addresses both the mental health condition and the substance use disorder is critical for reclaiming your life and finding long-term recovery.
- Depression is a mood disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest, impacting daily functioning.
- Depression often co-occurs with addiction, exacerbating each other in a cycle where substance use initially provides temporary relief but worsens depression over time.
- Substance abuse can increase the risk of developing depressive disorders through direct impacts on brain chemistry, lifestyle factors like isolation and job loss, genetic vulnerability, and long-lasting changes in the brain after sobriety.
- Effective treatment for co-occurring depression and addiction may involve various modalities to help you heal.
What Is Depression?
Depression (also known as major depression or major depressive disorder) is a mental health disorder that causes persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest.[2] It negatively impacts how you think, feel, and behave. Depression is more than just feeling temporarily sad or blue; everyone can experience that at one time or another. Depression is a serious mental health condition that affects your daily functioning and quality of life.[3]
Some of the common symptoms of depression include:[4]
- Depressed mood most of the day
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
- Significant weight loss or gain
- Sleep disturbances
- Fatigue and lack of energy
- Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
- Difficulty concentrating
- Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide
Depression has a complex set of potential causes, including genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors.[5]
How Depression and Drug Abuse Can Interact
Substance abuse and depression often co-occur (also known as dual diagnosis) and can exacerbate each other in several ways. Those suffering from depression may initially turn to drugs or alcohol as a way to self-medicate and numb their emotional pain.[6] However, substance abuse ends up only providing temporary relief from depressive symptoms.
Over time, the effects of drugs and alcohol on the brain can actually worsen the underlying depression. Substances like alcohol are depressants that can increase feelings of sadness and hopelessness.[7] Stimulants like cocaine can cause crashes of depression after the high wears off. This can drive those with depression to increase their substance use in an attempt to keep a temporary reprieve from their emotional distress.
Additionally, the lifestyle that often accompanies active addiction — social isolation, poor health, and legal and financial troubles — can compound the hopelessness and negativity associated with depression and vice versa.[8]
Attempting to break away from just one side of this cycle without treating the other is extremely difficult. Getting comprehensive healthcare services at a treatment center that addresses both depression and drug addiction simultaneously provides the best pathway to recovery and wellness.
Dual Diagnosis Addiction
Do Drugs Cause Depression?
Substance abuse and depression are strongly linked, though drug use doesn’t directly cause depression in everyone. However, there are several ways that drugs increase the risk of developing depressive disorders:[9]
- Certain drugs like stimulants (cocaine, meth) and opioids directly impact the brain’s delicate chemistry in ways that can trigger depression. They cause surges of mood-regulating neurotransmitters like dopamine, and the brain gets thrown off balance as it tries to compensate.
- The lifestyle challenges that go along with addiction cultivate feelings of hopelessness that set the stage for depression.
- People With a genetic predisposition to depression are more vulnerable to drugs activating depressive episodes.
- Even after getting sober, former drug use can leave long-lasting changes in the brain that increase depression risk for months or years if not properly treated.
While drugs don’t cause depression directly, they significantly raise the risk through brain impacts, lifestyle factors, and individual susceptibility.
How To Help Someone With Drug Addiction and Depression
Having a loved one battling both substance abuse and depression can be extremely difficult to navigate. Education is key: take the time to learn about these co-occurring disorders, the challenges they present, and the treatment options available. With this knowledge, you can avoid judgmental assumptions and better understand what your loved one is going through.
Approach them with empathy, compassion, and an understanding tone. Criticizing or lecturing will likely further alienate them. Instead, express your support and concern for their well-being. Strongly encourage professional treatment that can tackle both addiction and depression simultaneously through an integrated program. Offer to assist them in practical ways like finding resources, going to appointments, or identifying triggers that need to be avoided.
At the same time, supporting someone with this dual challenge can take a mental and emotional toll. Enlist others who can help, set boundaries when needed, and make time for your own self-care. Recovery is seldom linear – persist through setbacks and continue encouraging professional help. With patience and a strong support system, you can guide your loved one toward healing and wellness.
What Are the Treatments Available for Depression and Substance Abuse Issues?
If you’re navigating the challenges of depression and co-occurring addiction, several treatment programs and evidence-based modalities can offer you lasting support and healing:
Frequently Asked Questions About Depression and Addiction
What are the warning signs that depression might be leading to addictive behaviors?
Warning signs that depression might be leading to addictive behaviors include an increased reliance on substances like alcohol, drugs, or prescription medications to cope with negative emotions or escape reality. Neglecting responsibilities and obligations in favor of substance use, developing a tolerance requiring larger amounts for the same effect, experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not using the substance, engaging in risky behaviors under the influence, and persisting substance use despite negative consequences to health, relationships, or work are common indicators. These signs suggest a need for intervention and support to address both depression and addiction simultaneously.
What are some healthy coping mechanisms for people struggling with both depression and addiction?
Healthy coping mechanisms for individuals struggling with both depression and addiction encompass seeking professional help from therapists, counselors, or support groups specializing in dual-diagnosis treatment. Engaging in regular exercise can alleviate symptoms of depression and reduce cravings for addictive substances. Practicing mindfulness and relaxation techniques, such as meditation or deep breathing exercises, to manage stress and anxiety are beneficial.
Developing a strong support network of understanding friends, family members, or peers and pursuing hobbies and activities that provide joy and fulfillment can combat feelings of isolation and boredom, fostering a sense of purpose and belonging in your treatment plan.
Can lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, help manage symptoms of both depression and addiction?
Lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, can indeed help manage symptoms of both depression and addiction. Regular exercise releases endorphins, improving mood and reducing symptoms of depression while providing a healthy outlet for stress and anxiety in addiction recovery.
Following a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients supports brain health, stabilizing mood, and avoiding excessive sugar, caffeine, and processed foods can regulate mood and energy levels. Adequate sleep is crucial for overall well-being and enhances mood, cognitive function, and stress-coping abilities. Limiting or abstaining from alcohol and drugs prevents exacerbation of depressive symptoms and reduces relapse risk in addiction recovery by avoiding substances that disrupt neurotransmitter function and interfere with treatment effectiveness.
Sources
[1] National Institute of Mental Health. (2023, March). Substance use and co-occurring mental disorders. National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/substance-use-and-mental-health on May 31, 2024
[2] Depression. (n.d.). National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression#:~:text=What%20is%20depression%3F on May 31, 2024
[3] World Health Organization. (2023, March 31). Depressive Disorder (depression). World Health Organization; World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression on May 31, 2024
[4] Sawchuk, C. (2022, October 14). Depression (Major Depressive Disorder). Mayo Clinic; Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/symptoms-causes/syc-20356007 on May 31, 2024
[5] Harvard Health Publishing. (2022, January 10). What Causes depression? Harvard Health; Harvard Health Publishing. https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/what-causes-depression on May 31, 2024
[6] Quello, S. B., Brady, K. T., & Sonne, S. C. (2005). Mood disorders and substance use disorder: a complex comorbidity. Science & Practice Perspectives, 3(1), 13–21. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2851027/ on May 31, 2024
[7] NIDA. (2020). Drugs and the Brain. National Institute on Drug Abuse. https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/drugs-brain on May 31, 2024
[8] Chapter 1. (2008). In www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK572969/ on May 31, 2024
[9] Quello, S. B., Brady, K. T., & Sonne, S. C. (2005). Mood disorders and substance use disorder: a complex comorbidity. Science & Practice Perspectives, 3(1), 13–21. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2851027/ on May 31, 2024
About the Author
Amanda Stevens, BS
Medical Content Writer
Amanda Stevens is a highly respected figure in the field of medical content writing, with a specific focus on eating disorders and addiction treatment. Amanda earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work from Purdue University, graduating Magna Cum Laude, which serves as a strong educational foundation for her contributions.
