Dealing with Clinical Depression and Addiction
Clinical depression and addiction are two of the most common mental disorders in the world. Experts have known for a long time that many people with addictions will also suffer from a mental health disorder.
It is fairly common for people to suffer from addiction and clinical depression at the same time. There are several things you need to understand in order to know how to deal with this situation if you or someone you love are suffering.
What is Clinical Depression?
Everyone sometimes feels sad. Clinical depression is something much, much worse. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, clinical depression is a mood disorder with depressive symptoms that last for more than two weeks. These symptoms include:
- thoughts of death or suicide
- suicide attempts
- hopelessness
- feeling helpless or worthless
- flu-like symptoms that have no obvious cause
- loss of interest in pleasurable activities
- anxiety
- irritability
In people with clinical depression, these symptoms are severe and occur every day for weeks on end. This disease is made even worse when combined with addiction, necessitating the proper kind of treatment.
How Does Clinical Depression Affect Addiction?
Someone with clinical depression will feel helpless or worthless.
People dealing with the debilitating symptoms of depression would, quite literally, do anything to make them stop. Often, this leads them to abuse illicit or prescription drugs in an effort to alleviate the depression. These drug include:
- heroin
- cocaine
- prescription pain relievers
- antidepressants
- anti-anxiety medications
- hallucinogens
- marijuana
All of these drugs have the very strong potential of creating an addiction that requires treatment. For help finding treatment for depression and addiction call 888-647-0051 (Who Answers?) .
How Does Addiction Affect Clinical Depression?
One of the side effects of abusing most drugs is depression. Depression is also a common side effect of withdrawal. When you consider that, it should come as no surprise that people suffering from clinical depression find it nearly impossible to stop using drugs once they start. The cycle of depression, drug use, and depression goes on endlessly, unless they receive professional treatment that addresses both the depression and addiction.
What are the Best Ways to Treat Comorbid Disorders?
There are a variety of treatment options for comorbid disorders, from traditional to holistic practices.
Treating Clinical Depression and Addiction Together
It is well known that addiction and mental disorders, such as clinical depression, are often found together. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the co-occurrence of these disorders is known as comorbidity and requires treatment that addresses both.
Both are complicated and chronic diseases, and trying to treat only one of them has shown little to no success in achieving recovery in either. It is therefore essential that people suffering from clinical depression and addiction seek treatment centers that have the knowledge and expertise to treat both disorders simultaneously.
Where to Find a Treatment Center that Treats Co-Occurring Disorders
Since comorbidity is very common, most addiction treatment centers are equipped to treat patients suffering from an addiction and clinical depression. However, not every treatment center or treatment method is right for every person.
This means you must find the treatment center that best suits your needs and goals. While this may seem daunting, we can help. Call us at 888-647-0051 (Who Answers?) , we can help you find the treatment you need.
