Depression and Drug Abuse
Does depression lead to drug abuse?
Does drug abuse lead to depression?
The two conditions are often interlinked and are seen together.
But understanding which came first is as difficult as the proverbial chicken and the egg.
Too often, we get caught up in thinking we need to resolve one before we address the other.
The staff at Resurgence Behavioral Health, however, has something else in mind.
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How Depression and Drug Abuse are Related
Where you find drug abuse, you will almost certainly find depression.
Addiction leads people to do dangerous and unhealthy things.
This can include full-on illegal behavior such as theft or battery.
But it can also include staying in toxic relationships, engaging in risky sexual behavior, and simply devaluing your own life.
People with long-term depression often experiment with drugs to escape or self-medication.
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Drug Abuse as Self-Medication
Depression and drug abuse often go hand in hand. For many people, personal trauma or chronic depression is what leads them to drugs in the first place. Many drugs people use are initially a way to self-medicate their chronic depression or depressive episodes. There are many things researchers continue to learn from alternative therapies. This includes therapies which use certain drugs. Even so, self-medication is almost never a good idea for the long term.
Initial Diagnosis in Research and Treatments
When people with depression and drug abuse seek help, the experience is often overwhelming. They are likely to hear jargon like ‘comorbidity’ or ‘dual diagnosis’. These terms can sound a bit frightening at first. When someone is simply doing research, these terms – along with others – may scare them off from pursuing professional help. This is not a reflection on them or their character. It is simply the result of an addiction that has often already made that person constantly second guess themselves. Simply put, when someone hears phrases like that it reinforces the idea they are ‘too far gone’ for help. But this could not be farther from the truth.
Depression – How Common Is It?
A dual diagnosis can seem challenging at first, but it is incredibly common. Major depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the country today. It affects people of every age, ethnicity, religion, and socioeconomic class. In terms of ‘equal opportunity’ mental illnesses, nothing beats depression. Sometimes a depressive episode comes on as the result of a specific trauma or set of traumas. Other times it strikes out of nowhere. This is part of the reason is remains a source of study for researchers all over the world. It also explains why it is a part of a dual diagnosis for so many people.
Dual Diagnosis – What You Need to Know
Simply stated, a dual diagnosis is exactly what it sounds like: a diagnosis that includes more than one official diagnosis. Diagnosing someone with a drug abuse issue and depression is almost a given at the onset of treatment. It is similar to diagnosing someone with a cold AND a runny nose. Depression and drug abuse simply go hand in hand. Still, the prevalence of depression leads some people to delay treatment. They think they should address that themselves before focusing on their drug abuse. But the fact is, that isn’t a realistic plan.
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Self-Help vs. Professional Help
There are hundreds of different self-help books, podcasts, and other forms of ‘at home therapy’. These can be incredibly useful and effective for a variety of issues. Having said that, they are no match for depression that exists alongside a drug abuse problem. Addiction is not a stand alone disease. It contributes to every other problem someone has. The depression that develops within addiction cannot be effectively treated with positive thinking or focused journaling. Those methods may be a part of the treatment. But they need to happen with professional guidance and help cutting through the mental fog created by the addiction itself.
There is No ‘Perfect Time’
Another obstacle many people face is feeling they need to wait for the ‘right’ or ‘perfect’ time. People want to wait until after the holidays, after they move, once the kids are back in school, the list is almost endless. But the fact is there is never going to be a time more perfect than right now. Taking the time to focus on your health and wellness should always be the priority. This is especially true when someone is facing depression and drug abuse. Those two issues do not only affect the person struggling with them – they affect everyone who knows and cares for them. There will always be other important events happening in your life. The key is making sure you can be present and engaged in them. And that requires treatment to help your true self blossom and flourish.
Understanding Treatment Options and Approaches
There are many different treatment options and approaches when it comes to both depression and drug abuse. The staff at Resurgence Behavioral Health is a diverse team of professionals. We are familiar with various forms of treatments and disciplines. We work cohesively to develop treatment plans as unique as our clients. From Medically Assisted Treatments to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, our diversity is our strength. We help people break free of addictions and address issues that have caused them long term issues. We aren’t interested in treating symptoms or even a disease. We focus on the PERSON.
How Insurance Verification Can Help
One of the ways we demonstrate our commitment to offering help to anyone, at any time and without judgement or obligation is our insurance verification program. You can call and talk to our team of insurance specialists to better understand your coverage. Our staff works with almost every insurance company across the country and, as a result, we are well versed in the fine print of plans and policies. The information is given without any obligation. Once we have helped you understand all your options, you can take that information to discuss with family or close friends. If you choose to work with us, that same team can help with filing forms, submitting claims, and navigating your way through coverage requirements throughout your treatment journey.
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We Are Here to Help
While the staff at Resurgence Behavioral Health represents different treatment ideas and methodologies, there is one thing we all agree on.
The focus is on YOU.
Depression and drug abuse are each complex issues.
When they occur together, they become multilayered and interwoven.
It is impossible to treat one without addressing the other and this is where our diverse experience can make a difference.
You don’t have to be at a certain point in your journey for us to help.
We are here to help day and night, no matter what else is happening.
All you need to do is reach out and let us do what we do best: Help you.
