Dual Diagnosis Alcohol And Depression

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When it is more than Just an Addiction

When seeking addiction treatment, many clients discover they receive a dual diagnosis of alcohol and depression.

A dual diagnosis of alcohol and depression is very common.

Alcohol can cause mental health disorders like depression.

On the other hand, untreated mental illnesses often mask deeper issues.

These hidden diagnoses may contribute to alcohol addiction.

Many times, people falsely believe alcohol helps them cope with depression.

In fact, the opposite is true. It worsens symptoms of depression.

A dual diagnosis of alcohol and depression frequently occur during treatment.

Without proper diagnosis, recovery can seem impossible.

At Resurgence Behavioral Health our skilled addiction specialist can quickly recognize a dual diagnosis of alcohol and depression.

We will then tailor our approach which makes recovery possible.

By addressing co-occurring disorders can you find the motivation to complete treatment.

Dual diagnosis treatment makes a difference in long-term recovery.

There is no Shame in Treatment

Unfortunately, there is stigma and misinformation about a dual diagnosis of alcohol and depression.

Many assume that someone can just put on a smile and get over their depression.

Others believe that people can just stop addictive behaviors.

These faulty assumptions are dangerous.

They create a slippery slope and only serve to worsen the problem and create shame.

This attitude trivializes underlying issues that contribute to depression and addictive behaviors.

The medical community agrees that attitudes that support these faulty assumptions are dangerous.

This misinformation does real damage to people with dual diagnoses for alcohol and depression.

The fact is there is no shame in having depression and alcohol addiction.

The only shame is towards those that mock or trivializes the struggles of others.

The Link Between Alcohol and Depression

Depression occurs often as a dual diagnosis. Alcohol is a depressant that can make the symptoms of depression more pronounced and severe. Alcoholics that suffer from anxiety, excess worry paranoia, or panic attacks drink more. This habit, which provides temporary relief from these symptoms can become addictive. The onset of one disorder can trigger the beginning of the other.

Health Dangers from Alcohol Abuse

Drinking too much overtime can cause chronic physical and mental health issues. Chronic heavy drinking is associated with many serious health problems. A lifetime of alcohol misuse can cause both physical and mental health issues.

One organ particularly sensitive to alcohol misuse is the heart. It is very common for an alcoholic to suffer from heart attacks and heart failure. Fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis can develop from alcohol abuse. If you struggle with alcohol there is help. Sobriety is possible with medical intervention from Resurgence Behavioral Health

Dual Diagnosis: Alcohol and Depression

Alcohol and depression are both conditions that change the way that your brain functions. It is impossible to recover from addiction without treating the depression. The stress caused by having a mental health issue makes coping with sobriety a struggle. Many who enter into treatment may not receive the proper diagnosis because treatment is specific for addiction alone.

Unfortunately, many who fail to receive a dual diagnosis for alcohol and depression have multiple attempts in rehab without success. Research shows that without integrated care, outcomes are poor. This is a direct result of untreated mental health issues. Historically, mental health and addiction have been treated separately.

Resurgence Behavioral Health is changing this statistic for many addicts. This is why we give in-depth interviews involving a client’s history to determine if other services are required.

Signs and Symptoms of Depression

Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. This means it slows down the body. Alcohol use has been shown in numerous medical studies to intensify and prolong depression symptoms. It also increases the likelihood, frequency, and severity of suicidal thoughts. Alcohol abuse contributes to other problems in life that make depression worse. When turning to alcohol as a means to help depressed people feel better, it starts a vicious cycle that is hard to break free from without medical intervention. If you are struggling with the following symptoms, you may have depression.

• Loss of interest in hobbies
• Feeling hopeless and sad
• Loss of energy
• Low self-esteem
• Difficulty paying attention
• Quick to anger or irritable most of the time
• Slow movements
• Lack of motivation
• Weight gain or loss due to change in appetite
• Sleeping too much or too little
• Suicidal idealization

How Alcohol Affects Your Mental Health

When you consume alcohol, it inhibits the ability of the brain to communicate effectively Prolonged alcohol abuse can drastically change and rewire the brain. Chronic drinking can lead to psychiatric syndromes. More than half of addicted people suffer from a mental health condition.

Alcohol-induced depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and sleep disorders are very common. Studies consistently report alcohol use increases both the duration and severity of depression. Depression symptoms are overwhelming. Without medical treatment, a person will continue to drink.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Without a dual diagnosis for alcohol and depression treatment will be unsuccessful. Resurgence Behavioral Health provides comprehensive medical care. From your very first interview the process to uncover additional health issues begins. This initial assessment will uncover mental health disorders, including a dual diagnosis for alcohol and depression. A dual diagnosis can make a difference in your treatment plan. You can’t recover from one disorder without treating the other.

Depression Treatment Options

Depression is a very serious mental health condition. Without medical treatment, it leads to problems. It can damage relationships. Feeling from depression can prevent success in life. The effects reduce the quality of life and create more medical issues, and suicides. Stigma from depression and addiction prevents many from seeking care. Many people falsely believe depression is a character flaw or weakness. In truth, depression is the cause of hopelessness and lack of motivation to get help. The only way to manage depression is with medical care. Common therapies to treat depression are

• Antidepressants
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
• Holistic Therapy
• Support Groups

Addiction Treatment

A dual diagnosis of alcohol and depression disorders can be hard to accept. However, your dual diagnosis can be a result of your addiction in the first place or vice versa. A dual diagnosis of depression and alcohol use disorder are treatable medical conditions. Stopping alcohol use is important if you suffer from depression. However, avoiding alcohol will not cure depression. If you abuse alcohol and suffer from depression it is hard to tell which symptoms cause what.

Resurgence Behavioral Health is innovating addiction care with integrated treatment. This is the most effective way to help people achieve lifelong recovery. We understand everyone’s background is unique. The path to addiction is unique. This is why we customize a treatment plan to meet your needs. Treating alcohol and depression at the same time produces better results. At Resurgence Behavioral Health we get you clean by supporting your recovery.

Check Your Insurance Coverage

At Resurgence Behavioral Health, we accept private insurance.

We also offer many different payment options to fit your budget. You can check your insurance benefits with our online tools.

You can confidentially see if you’re covered for addiction treatment services.

We’ll be able to tell you if your provider is in-network with Resurgence Behavioral Health.