Depression is America’s single most common mental health disorder. Alcohol use disorder is the nation’s most common serious substance problem. Given these facts, it’s not surprising that depression and alcoholism frequently overlap. Unfortunately, the result can be more severe than depression or alcoholism alone when this happens. If you’re affected by both conditions, you need help that addresses both of them. You can find this help in a high-quality alcoholism and depression treatment program in Colorado. Reach out to Women’s Recovery at 833.754.0554 to learn more.
The Connection Between Depression and Alcoholism
The combination of depression and alcoholism is a classic example of dual diagnosis. This term can describe any situation in which substance problems and mental illness occur together. Dual diagnosis is known for the severe impact it has on any affected person.
How are substance problems and mental illness connected? The exact explanation may vary from person to person. However, researchers have identified three likely reasons for this overlap:
- The shared risk factors for mental illness and substance problems
- Self-medication of mental illness with drugs or alcohol
- The mental health changes triggered by serious drug or alcohol abuse
Dual diagnosis cases involving alcoholism and depression are common. In fact, research shows that depression is the single most common mental illness in people with alcohol use disorder. Two factors help explain this situation. First, if you’re affected by alcoholism, depression can decrease your ability to avoid drinking. And if you’re affected by depression, you may start to self-medicate with alcohol.
Depression and Alcoholism Recovery
The presence of depression can make it harder to recover from alcoholism. At the same time, alcoholism can make it harder to recover from depression. These facts are true whether depression or alcoholism affects you first.
How can you escape the overlapping effects of alcoholism and depression? By itself, depression treatment is not enough. That’s also the case for isolated alcoholism treatment. Instead, you must receive combined help for depression and alcoholism recovery.
Depression and Alcoholism Medications
Medication typically plays a significant role in depression treatment. It also has a significant role in alcoholism treatment. The list of depression and alcoholism medications is extensive.
Potential options for depression treatment include classes of antidepressants such as:
- SSRIs
- SNRIs
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Atypical antidepressants
- MAOIs
Each of these groups contains multiple kinds of medications. It can take a while for you and your doctor to find the one that works best for you. And once you find one that works, it can take a while before you feel its full effects.
When detoxing from alcohol, you may receive a benzodiazepine sedative. Medication is also used during active alcohol treatment. Options are available to make drinking less rewarding and appealing. The proper medication can also undo some of the brain effects of chronic heavy drinking.
Therapy In Alcoholism and Depression Treatment
Psychotherapy is also used to treat alcoholism and depression. Therapy can support your recovery in numerous ways. That includes helping you engage actively in your treatment. It also includes learning how to avoid a relapse of either condition.
Seek Alcohol and Depression Treatment at Women’s Recovery
Women have unique risks for alcoholism. They also have unique risks for depression. At Women’s Recovery, we understand these risks. To help you recover, we provide women-centered dual diagnosis treatment. This treatment is not only designed to treat both conditions affecting you. It’s also customized for your specific situation.
Our goal is to maximize your odds for a lasting recovery. That’s true regardless of the extent of your depression and alcoholism symptoms. To learn more about how we can help, call us today at 833.754.0554. You can also fill out our online form.
