How Does Depression Affect Addiction and Recovery?

How Does Depression Affect Addiction and Recovery
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There is an alarming connection between depression and addiction, but that doesn’t mean finding an effective treatment plan for both is impossible.[1] The National Bureau of Economic Research reports those who battle mental illness, like depression, are 20 percent more likely to become dependent on alcohol and 27 percent more likely to develop a substance use of cocaine. While the data may indicate depression is often a result or cause of addiction, finding a dual diagnosis rehab Costa Mesa facility greatly increases your chances of managing both conditions and living a life of sobriety and purpose.

How Prevalent are Depression and Addiction?

In 2017, an estimated 17.3 million adults in the United States had at least one major depressive episode.[2] That’s roughly 7.1 percent of all U.S. adults who reported: “a period of at least two weeks when a person experienced a depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities and had a majority of specified symptoms, such as problems with sleep, eating, energy, concentration, or self-worth.”

The majority of those adults – an estimated 11 million – reported at least one episode of major depression with severe impairment.[3] More than one in three never received any type of treatment for their mental condition or drug use.

What’s often misunderstood about depression is that not all those affected by the condition experience the same triggers or exemplify the same risk factors. Proper evaluation and treatment are critical steps in helping someone overcome symptoms of depression and severe bouts of emotional and mental anguish. But, treating depression is only one-half of the dual diagnosis battle.

Does Depression Affect Recovery? Or Does Depression Cause Addiction?

Another critical point to understand in the treatment journey of depression and addiction is understanding which comes first. The short answer is that it can vary for each person. In some cases, symptoms of depression can lead an individual to drink heavily or depend on illicit drugs.

A study published in the National Institutes of Health’s U.S. Library of Medicine concluded that alcohol could produce depression.[4] Those who rely on alcohol or other substances can become distant from friends and loved ones, isolating themselves and triggering a major depression. On the other hand, those who battle depression may turn to drugs or alcohol for a release from their mental and physical pain and anxiety. While there is no definitive answer on whether depression causes addiction, or vice versa, understanding the importance of treating both conditions is key to an individual’s recovery.

What is Dual Diagnosis Rehab Costa Mesa?

Dual diagnosis in Costa Mesa is the process of simultaneously diagnosing a mental health condition and substance use disorder in an individual. For those suffering from depression and addiction, receiving tailored treatment that addresses both the physical and mental aspects of both conditions offers a better chance at long-term sobriety.[5] More than 8.4 million people in the U.S. have both a mental and substance use disorder. Despite the availability of dual diagnosis treatment, less than 8 percent of people are treated for both conditions. An estimated 53.7 percent receive no treatment at all.

Many find that treating one condition independently of the other quickly results in a relapse. Clear Life Recovery is a trusted dual diagnosis rehab Costa Mesa facility with an expert staff that considers all pieces of an individual’s story before launching a treatment program. To help a patient overcome depression and addiction, each condition must be considered separately and then treated in partnership with the other. Our drug rehab specialists and mental health experts create a personalized plan for each patient to increase the likelihood of a successful recovery.

If you or someone you know is battling depression and substance use disorder, contact the skilled team at Clear Life Recovery. Our drug specialists are available to speak to you about your first steps into a sober, more purposeful life.

 

Sources:

[1] https://www.nber.org/digest/apr02/w8699.html

[2] https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/major-depression.shtml

[3] https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/major-depression.shtml

[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1089782/

[5] https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/common-comorbidities-substance-use-disorders/part-1-connection-between-substance-use-disorders-mental-illness

 

 

About Benjamin Hogan

Over the years, Benjamin has held positions in many different areas of alcohol and drug addiction services all over the country. He made a name for himself as an interventionist and has held certification as a Certified National Drug and Alcohol Interventionist (CNDAI-II). Benjamin specializes in helping support families of people struggling with addiction by focusing on education and instilling healthy boundaries to ensure lasting changes. Addiction is a progressive disease, but using an evidence-based approach, an intervention, when done correctly, can help to increase the willingness of a loved one to seek sobriety faster. "In my experience, by helping families make necessary changes, they not only get their lives back, but they also help change the mind of their loved one more quickly. In an intervention, family and other loved ones take a proactive approach, instead of waiting and being stuck between fear and (false) hope. I realized in my own recovery, that when my family changed, I had to change in response. That is where I found sobriety. This is why I believe in what I do!"