Drug Addiction, Alcoholism and Depression
Drug addiction and depression have always had a very complicated and intertwined relationship. Substance abuse and mental illnesses like depression are found together so frequently that doctors came up with a term for the co-occurring disorders, dual diagnosis. According to The US Department of Health and Human Services, individuals who suffer from major depression have higher rates of alcoholism and drug addiction. This same study found that more than 1 out of every 5 adults who experienced an episode of depression in the previous year also engaged in substance abuse. These daunting statistics left researchers wondering, which came first, the drug addiction problems or the depression?
How Substance Abuse Can Lead to Depression
Substance abuse can lead to depression in a variety of ways. Experts agree that extreme and prolonged substance abuse can cause psychiatric problems in those addicted. Symptoms of depression are commonly reported as are hallucinations to a lesser extent. Depressive symptoms can develop as a result of a current alcohol or drug addiction like with alcohol for example, a known depressant. Depressive symptoms can also come as a result of withdrawal symptoms or a “come down” from the high of a drug like cocaine. There are instances when the depression can be short-lived when coming as a result of substance abuse but there are instances as well where the symptoms turn into a full blown, prolonged illness.
How Untreated Depression Can Lead to Alcoholism and Drug Addiction
This cause and effect relationship has been incredibly well documented by addiction specialists, psychologists and psychiatrists alike. Depression when it is untreated can be all-consuming. You feel an intense sadness and hopelessness that lasts for weeks at a time. Activities that you used to enjoy no longer make you happy. Your personal feelings of inadequacy can be so overwhelming you question what the point of continuing is. You become desperate to numb the pain and silence the negative thoughts and feelings in your head so you turn to drugs and alcohol. This act of self-medicating can turn into drug addiction and/or alcoholism very quickly when you become dependent on a substance to make you feel a certain way. Unfortunately drug and alcohol abuse only serves to intensify the symptoms of depression over time rather than providing any real relief like the sufferers so desperately desire.
There are other factors that can cause the co-occurring disorders of alcoholism, drug addiction and depression that are independent of the dual diagnosis. A key independent factor that is important to note is an individual’s environment. Excessive stress and trauma for example are known to cause both depression and substance abuse issues in a person. But again, developing one of these disorders increases your risk of developing the other substantially.
Understanding Addiction To Drugs
Nowadays, we are familiar with the extremely addictive characteristics of methamphetamine, cocaine and other drugs, and on top, alcohol and cigarettes. We have learned that in addition to substance abuse, some activities, for example gambling and sex, can develop into addictions for a few individuals who find these activities are starting to rule their lives. The problem with addictions to illicit drugs however, is a combination of the stigma attached, and the very serious and often immediate health implications.
Drug addiction is a widespread problem in today’s culture. Some studies have uncovered that over 20% of the US population fights with several forms of drug addiction at some point. Addiction to drugs bring only devastation, grief, and pain. It influences not only the addict, but also indirectly the people around them. Hurting family, friends and acquaintances, addiction to drugs also filter through different settings. Workers with addiction problems create frustration and impair businesses and perhaps endanger the work environment.
Various myths on the foundations of drug addiction still prevail. Many try to isolate the demographic groups mainly affected. Others try to portray an addiction to drugs as a moral deficiency or an illness. These falsehoods are responsible for lasting confusion and shame. Drug addiction does not emerge in any particular subset of humanity. It affects each society, gender and socio economic class.
There are no grounds to label drug addicts with fallacious stereotypes, and there is no cause to frighten and alienate them. At several points every person struggles to overcome obstacles in their lives and requires the assistance of others. Drug addicts are not dissimilar in this regard. No one aspires to be in this predicament; but rather they are trapped by drug addiction.
Another significant point to be aware of is that the drug use can lead to very dangerous behaviour in individuals and the one consuming drugs recreationally is ultimately gambling with his life. The consequences of these poisons on the nervous system and brain can be devastating, with Drug Abuse Warning Network statistics revealing that there were over 2 million Emergency Department visits in the US from drug abuse in 2009 alone. Addictions need to be dealt with by restraining access to the drug in an appropriate way. The user will need to make a decision as to the lifestyle changes they will have to implement in order to escape their habit and gradually begin afresh. It may well be necessary to seek the advice of a local addiction clinic or medical practitioner to ensure you are on the right path to recovery.
Curbing Addiction Through Drugs and Alcohol Rehabilitation
What should you do prior to availing rehabilitation services?
There is a great necessity for you to admit that you have addiction problem before you go for a treatment. Performing addiction treatment without the proper knowledge of your addiction can be dangerous, even fatal. The type of drug, your quantity of intake, signs of withdrawal, etc. are the things the rehab professionals need to know so that they can provide you appropriate treatments. It is therefore necessary for you to admit to your addiction problems before you take up alcohol and drug rehabilitation. The most important factor to your successful recovery from addiction is your willingness to recover and undergo the treatment.
Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation
The most effective way of curbing addiction is through rehabilitation. In rehabilitation services, you will be introduced to numerous treatments which are directed to relieve you from your addiction to drugs and alcohol. You will receive the care and supervision you will never get at home or any treatment settings. Treatment in a rehab consists of detoxification and behavior centered treatment programs.
In a drug or alcohol abuse treatment center, the first treatment will be detoxification. Detoxification is the process of eliminating the toxins accumulated in your body through detoxifying drugs. This treatment will be followed by many other behavioral treatments which is centered on developing your overall approach to life. You will be assisted in your decision to quitting drug and alcohol without the least chance of withdrawal. You will also be taught new ways to perform household tasks and professional duties without ever depending on alcohol drugs again.
Even after a successful recovery, you are subjected to come back to your addiction through your associations. To avoid this, rehab centers provide aftercare treatments which focus on helping you abstain from drugs and alcohol. Therefore, for a long-term abstinence from drugs and alcohol, drug and alcohol abuse treatment in a rehab is the right choice.
Treatments however will differ from individual to individual depending upon factors like intensity of addiction, types of drugs, age of addict, etc. Different rehab centers have different rehabilitation servicesbut their goals are the same.
In short, properly curbing your addiction to drug and alcohol involves your willingness to recover and an effective rehab treatment. If you think you or someone you care for is alcoholic or addicted to drugs, you should refrain from thinking that recovering from addiction is impossible but should take the help from rehab professionals and get appropriate treatments.