Substance Abuse and Depression Treatment in New Jersey

The relationship between depression and substance abuse is a two-way street. Often, mental health conditions such as depression can lead to drug and alcohol abuse as a means of coping. On the other hand, substance abuse can put individuals at a higher risk of developing clinical depression.

These co-occurring conditions create a dangerous cycle that can make everyday life difficult, but with the right care approach, individuals can address and learn to effectively manage their health from every aspect and achieve long-term recovery.

At Discovery Institute in New Jersey, our behavioral health treatment center specializes in helping individuals suffering from mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder, as well as, types of addictions, such as alcohol use disorder (AUD), etc.

How Does Drug Abuse Affect Depression, and Vice Versa?

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), a major depressive disorder known as depression, is a mood disorder characterized by a persistent feeling of sadness, lethargy, hopelessness, and a lack of interest in everyday life. Depression can be situational and triggered by a specific life event. Or it can be clinical, meaning it occurs for long periods of time with no identifiable source.

Many people perceive depression as a “bad mood” or “feeling down,” but depression is much more serious than that. This mental illness occurs when the chemicals and hormones in the brain and body aren’t able to function or regulate properly, ultimately altering the body’s natural chemistry. For this reason, depression should be managed and treated under the supervision of mental health professionals. Depressive symptoms include:

The Prevalence of Depression and Substance Abuse

Approximately one-third of adults with mood disorders such as depression, also have a drug or alcohol addiction amid a depressive episode, which can last from weeks to months, or even years, the numbing effects of drugs and alcohol seem like an easy solution.

Although the substances may temporarily relieve some of the negative feelings that come with depression, your body will eventually become dependent on them and experience a full-blown addiction with exacerbated depression.

Our bodies are very smart and very adaptable. If we constantly send the message that substances are what will make us feel better, it will adapt to believe that to be true. Where the body once knew how to organically produce “happy” hormones and brain chemicals, it will lose this ability and result in the co-occurrence of depression and substance abuse. The effects of drugs and alcohol will cause further regulation of the body’s chemicals making it much more difficult to control depressive episodes.

Not only does drug abuse intensify common depression symptoms, but it can lead individuals to refuse treatment, thinking that substances are the only solution. People who have a history of drug abuse are at increased risk for developing a mental disorder, and vice versa. People with a history of a depressive disorder, commonly develop dependence and eventually drug addiction. The longer the body functions at this level, the more difficult these conditions will be to treat.

If left untreated, severe health complications can arise, including withdrawal symptoms, which are expected, due to people trying to quit substance use cold turkey. For people with a mood disorder, seeking treatment for substance use and psychiatric illness is a must.

Often these co-occurring conditions last for long periods of time, which is why a licensed mental health professional who understands the complexity of depressive disorders and substance use should be utilized to create an individualized treatment program.

Diagnosing Depression and Substance Use Disorders

It’s important to see an experienced physician to conduct a full evaluation of your symptoms to receive an accurate diagnosis. When both of these conditions co-occur, treating only one will not make for successful rehabilitation.

There are several ways doctors and therapists identify mental health conditions and a substance use disorder (SUD), to, create a treatment plan from the perspective of not one condition, but both simultaneously.

The processes of diagnosing these disorders will likely include the following:

• Physical Examination
• Psychological Examination
• Lab Tests

During these evaluations, the patient will work one-on-one with experienced professionals to understand the severity and specific characteristics of his or her substance addiction and co-occurring depression.

Different types of mental illness and addictions can all fall under the category of similar diagnoses, so it’s important, to be honest with your treatment team about your history of substance use and mental health, thoughts, and experiences that led you to seek help.