A Common Misconception Results in Alcoholism and Depression
Many people think that alcohol is a useful tool in escaping from your problems or feelings that you want to avoid. According to WebMD, a third of people who suffer from depression also have alcoholism. Alcoholism and depression must be treated together to ensure a successful recovery.
It is a common misconception that alcohol will heal feelings of depression which is what causes some to drink. The sedative effects tend to be used as medication in order to distract someone from their sadness. Alcohol may be used to treat depression but alcohol itself is a depressant which will make someone drink more to get rid of the depressive symptoms without realizing that alcohol is the cause of it all. Dealing with the negative financial and career consequences of alcoholism as well as seeing relationships suffer as a result can also cause someone to want to drink away their sadness. If you are using antidepressants to treat depression, alcohol will make those pills be ineffective which will make this co-occurring disorder worse. According to a study in Addiction Review, alcohol abuse has a better chance of causing depression than depression causing alcohol abuse.
Antidepressants are common to use to treat depression to change the chemistry of the brain to stabilize your moods. You can normally feel the effects after a week or two but the full effects can take months to work. You need to continue taking them even months after the depressive symptoms start to fade away. Never go off of them without talking to a doctor. It is important to remember that antidepressants are not the cure for depression. Therapy must be included in treatment in order to find speak of any underlying issues causing this co-occurring disorder and lifestyle changes that have contributed to depression.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is an effective treatment in solving problems to change negative thinking and behavior. This is also a good method to prevent relapse. This mode of therapy can also give you skills to help with problematic behavior, coping skills, and exploring the consequences that come from drinking and depression. It can help you be aware of problems that can occur before they happen and how to react when these issues occur. The lessons you learn in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy will stay with you after treatment. Remember that both of these disorders need to be treated together to avoid relapse from occurring.
The Center for Professional Recovery offers the Professional Treatment Program, designed specifically to address the unique needs of professionals, like first-responders. Our programs are designed to treat co-occurring disorders which might arise and restore first-responders in a way which allows them to return to work and continue taking care of their mental health. For information on our full continuum of care for professionals, call us today: (855) 422-4129
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