Many people suffer from depression and substance use disorder. Every once in a while, you hear or read about chronic substance abusers who never seem to stay sober.
These people check into a rehab facility for treatment and get better during treatment, but soon after, they go back to using. There are numerous reasons why someone relapses, but in some cases, a person who relapses is suffering from co-occurring illnesses. If a person who has depression and substance use issues goes to rehab and only treats their substance use disorder, the likelihood of them remaining sober is slim.
The co-occurrence of substance abuse and mental illness is far more common than people think. In 2015, 43.4 million people were diagnosed with mental illnesses; 18% also struggled with substance abuse. This percentage has likely increased since then. This is why dual-diagnosis programs in rehabs are so important.
How Are Depression and Substance Use Disorders Connected?
These days substance abuse and mental illnesses like depression and anxiety are interconnected in what seems to be an eternal cycle. While it’s not entirely clear if one co-occurring condition “causes” the other, there are a few possible theories on how depression and substance use disorders are connected.
A mental health disorder like depression can lead to substance abuse disorder. A substance abuse disorder can also trigger a mental health illness. It can be neither one influencing the other. An individual can simultaneously suffer from both, with none exerting an influence on the other.
Some examples of situations where substance use leads to mental health illnesses are the chronic use of cocaine, marijuana, LSD, Kratom, Methamphetamine, and steroids. These drugs can cause anxiety, depression, hallucinations, and extreme paranoia.
One of the most common forms of mental health disorders and substance abuse disorders is depression. More addicted individuals struggle with depression and substance abuse disorder than other comorbid combinations.
Depression is one of the common mood disorders in the world. Despite this, it is also quite dangerous because it affects every aspect of a person’s life. It affects work, mood, and eating patterns. Depression can be very debilitating without proper treatment.
According to a study, depression is commonly associated with substance use disorder, especially alcohol use disorder. The results obtained from a National Comorbidity Survey showed that depression was prevalent in 24.3% of males with alcohol use disorder and 48.5% of women.
Researchers surmise that individuals struggling with alcohol use disorders drink to cope with the symptoms of depression.
What To Do When You Suffer From Depression and Substance Use Disorder?
Depression is connected to substance use disorder. What do you do when it’s clear that you have depression and a substance abuse disorder? Seek professional help!
The increasing number of comorbid disorders has pushed for a specialized treatment program known as dual-diagnosis in recent years. Individuals with co-occurring disorders have to get tested first, and if they are diagnosed with comorbid disorders, they are recommended they pursue a dual-diagnosis treatment program.
What Is Dual-Diagnosis?
Dual-diagnosis is an addiction treatment program that integrates the treatment of mental health issues and substance use disorders. These programs use cognitive behavioral therapy, medical management, motivational interviewing, and psychosocial interventions to treat individuals with co-occurring disorders.
Dual-diagnosis treatment has been a breakthrough in addiction treatment. Previously, people with comorbid disorders would receive incomplete treatment. This often led to many relapses. But with dual-diagnosis, relapses are significantly less as individuals with co-occurring disorders can receive treatment for both disorders.
Are you looking for a treatment center that offers dual-diagnosis? Enlight Treatment Center does. We are located in Southern California and provide dual-diagnosis treatment and other treatment programs for substance abuse disorder.
At Enlight Treatment Center, our passion is helping those whose lives have been affected by substance abuse get their lives back.
Reach out to us today. We can help you start your journey to a complete and lasting recovery.
