Depression and Substance Abuse

06/17/2019

Depression and Substance Abuse

By now, most people are aware of the connection between substance abuse and depression. Numerous studies over the last 50 years have confirmed that depression can feed an addiction. Likewise, addiction can cause you to spiral further into depression. The good news is that there are services available to help you not just cope with, but also recover from your depression. One of the most effective treatments for depression and substance abuse is dual diagnosis treatments in Mahanoy City PA .

Through dual diagnosis, treatment professionals can assess and treat both depression and substance abuse.

Signs of Depression

While everyone experiences some form of depression at one time or another, eventually it can turn into mental illness. Once it reaches that point, you may turn to drugs or alcohol to self-medicate the problems. However, it may only make the problem worse and trigger your symptoms. These symptoms of depression may include:

Lack of interest in getting out or engaging in activities
Drastic changes in sleeping — hypersomnia or insomnia
Eating too much or not eating enough
Constant feelings of gloom and despair
Zero energy or motivation to anything and suicidal thoughts
Trouble focusing or concentrating on anything

Substance Abuse Disorder

Abusing alcohol is a natural symptom of depression. When you are depressed, you may find yourself using the substance for long periods and more frequently. You may have also tried to quit several times but found that you were unsuccessful. Furthermore, it may be apparent that you are abusing drugs or alcohol when it starts to interfere with family, school, or work. It can cause severe problems in all of your relationships.

Seeking Treatment for Depression and Substance Abuse

Once you decide to take the first step toward sobriety and dealing with your depression, you may need to enter a comprehensive treatment program that addresses both issues. Dual diagnosis treatments in Mahanoy City, PA may be the perfect solution.

Through dual diagnosis treatment, your therapist can work with you to discover the root of your depression and addiction. From there, they can recommend a separate treatment plan for each based on your particular situation and needs. A more holistic, combined approach can help you recover from both conditions and get back on your feet once again.

When you meet with your therapist, you can sit down and open up about your depression and substance abuse. Your therapist can perform multiple assessments and then go over all of your options for dual diagnostic treatments. The goal of the therapist is to match the right programs with your situation so that your chances of success are much higher.