Alcoholism and Depression Go Hand-in-Hand

If you’ve ever wondered why some people in recovery refer to their alcohol abuse as a self-medicating practice, consider the link between alcoholism and depression. It is a bit of a push-me-pull-me relationship. In some cases, it is unclear whether the depression came before or after the alcohol use disorder. That said, a dual diagnosis treatment approach promises excellent success.

Did Depression Make You More Susceptible to Alcohol Abuse or Did it Occur Later?

When discussing the relationship between alcoholism and depression, the American Psychological Association suggests the presence of a definite connection. If you’ve had depression before developing an alcohol use disorder, substance abuse has the potential to worsen it. If you did not suffer from the condition, alcoholism might have brought it on. In the field of psychology, therapists term the presence of both as a co-occurring state.

A person is 50% more likely to develop a mental health disorder if they already have alcohol use disorder and vice versa. Knowing this is critical for reaching out for depression or alcohol addiction treatment as soon as symptoms appear.

Why Does Alcohol Work as a Self-medicating Solution?

In truth, alcohol does not treat depression. But when people grappling with alcohol dependence talk about their ongoing struggle with alcoholism and depression, they report a numbing sensation. The alcohol dulls the pain of depression. In some situations, it can even prevent patients from realizing that they suffer from clinical depression in the first place.

Treating Alcoholism and Depression Together

During the process of seeking help, experts evaluate patients for the presence of a mental health disorder. Possible candidates include anxiety, personality disorders, and depression. When this condition exists, therapists will tailor your rehab program to deal with the alcohol use disorder as well as the mental health situation. Concurrent treatment of both diseases allows for excellent outcomes.

This dual diagnosis treatment program addresses underlying issues of each problem to stop the cycle of alcoholism. Techniques learned will reduce the chances of relapse of alcoholism and depression. This program includes:

• Matching therapy approaches. Rather than deciding whether the depression or alcohol abuse came first, therapists focus on helping you deal with psychotherapy as well as addiction counseling. Customized approaches to family therapy, group, or individual counseling are crucial in this setting.
• Medication. It is still a common misconception that depression is something you can snap out of. If this were possible, there isn’t one person suffering from the potentially debilitating disease who wouldn’t do it. Rather, you can frequently control the condition with the right medication.
• Family counseling. Your family may need help in learning how to support your recovery. When you combine the addiction with the mental health disorder, it is crucial that family members understand the family therapy approaches used and how to build on the self-confidence developed in you during the rehab process.

Get Help for Alcoholism and Depression Today

Don’t allow alcoholism and depression to keep you in a vicious cycle of substance abuse, shame, declining self-esteem, and overwhelming sadness that alcohol numbs briefly. It will truly worsen symptoms in the long run. Instead, contact the addiction expert staff at Beaches Recovery to find out how you can break free from addiction today. You can combine the following alcohol programs with therapy for depression:

• Alcohol counseling
• Alcohol detox at Tides Edge, our partner detox facility
• Inpatient alcohol addiction treatment
• Alcohol addiction rehab
• Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
• Sober living

Evidence-based and holistic therapy programs that treat both alcoholism and depression include:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
• Behavioral family therapy program
• Individual and group counseling
• Recreation therapy program with activities like a ropes course
• Holistic therapy programs, such as yoga, music, and art therapy

Call 866.605.0532 to take the first step to recovery.