Many people with mental health disorders develop co-occurring substance use disorders. In some cases, alcohol addiction can lead to the development of mental health disorders. No matter which comes first, treating both at the same time is critical to long-term recovery. Dual diagnosis, our treatment plan for this, can be highly effective for many people. Our team can provide you with the tools you need to start managing both conditions effectively. Contact us to learn more by calling 833.999.1941.
Depression and Alcoholism
Alcohol is a depressant. That means it slows down the brain’s central nervous system functioning. Thoughts become slower, and some people feel a sense of tranquility. People with clinical depression may use alcohol as a short-term solution to feelings of hopelessness and social anxiety. Developing a tolerance to the effects of alcohol causes people to need more of it. When people drink heavily over extended periods of time, they can develop a physical dependence and require medical detox when they stop drinking.
Are You Drinking Because of Your Depression?
Some people may develop an alcohol addiction because they are trying to cope with the symptoms of depression. You may, for example, drink after a long, bad day. You may feel the need to drink in order to forget the stress due to personal failure failures or the stress you’re under at home, work, or school. In these cases, your alcohol addiction may be making it harder for your brain to work through emotional trauma and stress, worsening depression.
How Do You Know You Need Help for Depression and Alcoholism?
There are warning signs indicating you may benefit from drug and alcohol treatment and mental health treatment. Some of the key indications of an alcohol use disorder include:
- Using alcohol to deal with stress
- Craving alcohol continuously
- Spending a lot of time drinking, often hiding it
- Drinking even though it worsens relationships
- Using alcohol to calm your mind
The key to determining if you have an alcohol addiction is determining what happens when you don’t drink. For those with depression and alcoholism, you may feel overwhelmed with what’s happening to you. You’re anxious, frustrated, and unable to sleep. You may feel pain and headaches. You may even find yourself unable to focus or complete tasks. You know that using alcohol can help to fix this problem. The reality is it is making it worse.
What is Dual Diagnosis Treatment?
For those with depression and alcoholism, treating both conditions simultaneously is critical to giving you the mental clarity you need. Dual diagnosis allows your therapists to help you gain stability. At first, this means working with you to detox and treating withdrawal symptoms with medication. Many people find that discovering the medication for depression alleviates their tendency to binge drink.
For some people, it is critical to look at the cause. It could be a hormonal imbalance. For others, it can be due to genetic factors or environmental effects. In still other situations, you may have past trauma leading to your alcohol addiction and depression.
Through dual diagnosis, your depression and alcoholism can be controlled and improved. You’ll gain mental clarity and start working on improving relationships, physical health, and quality of life. At Solution Based Treatment, we do that through programs such as:
- Detox treatment services
- Sober living support services
- Partial hospitalization program
- Intensive outpatient program
- Dual diagnosis
Embrace Your Future by Calling Solution Based Treatment Now
Depression and alcoholism may have control over your life right now, but there are plenty of opportunities available to you at Solution Based Treatment to overcome these challenges. Our team offers comprehensive support through our dual diagnosis treatment programs to help you overcome your alcohol addiction and support your mental health needs. Learn more by calling 833.999.1941 or connect with us online.