depression & addiction rehab

Twenty-one million US adults, which amounts to 8.4% of the US population, have suffered from a major depressive disorder. Like many other mental disorders, the comorbidity of depression and substance abuse disorder is quite common.
Research conducted to explore the co-occurrence of depression, and substance abuse disorder discovered that 93% of substance abusers suffered from mild, moderate, or severe depression.
In this article, we explore what depression is, how depression and substance abuse is correlated, and why treatment is necessary.

Depression is usually described as:

“Persistent sadness and a lack of interest or pleasure in previously rewarding or enjoyable activities.”

Depression, also known as Major Depressive Disorder, has a lot of stereotypes and misconceptions built around it. Many people perceive persistent sadness as a result of a traumatic event or a loss when the disorder can occur without any reason.

While these are plausible reasons for an individual to suffer from depression, the development of the disorder can also be the result of a chemical imbalance or a genetic disposition.

DSM-5 explains depression with the following symptoms;

• Depressed mood.
• Lack of interest.
• Weight fluctuations.
• Insomnia or hypersomnia.
• Psychomotor agitation.
• Loss of energy.
• Unexplainable feelings of guilt or worthlessness.
• Lack of concentration or indecisiveness.
• Suicidal ideation.

The consistent occurrence of these symptoms for more than two weeks leads to the diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder.
The disorder can occur at any time, at any age. However, DSM explains that the prevalence of this disorder is most common between the ages of 18-29. It also targets women more than men, especially regarding the development of the condition in adolescence.
However, despite a higher occurrence of the disorder in women, men have a higher rate of committing suicide if they are suffering from depression. In the US, 3.5% of all deaths result from suicide, with men having a four times higher risk.

Depression treatment is usually chosen after understanding the root cause of the issue. A professional will always try to know where the development of the disorder begins rather than focusing on surface-level treatment.

Some causes of depression are;

Temperamental 

The brought-up of a child or the behaviors they observe can also lead to the development of mental illnesses in individuals. They might start suffering from temper issues such as neuroticism, anger bursts, or even just the habit of always being in control can cause depression when the child finds out that the world is not as patient and does not pamper like parents.

Environmental

Individuals who have suffered from traumatic events such as childhood trauma, physical abuse, sexual abuse, harassment, bullying, or any other form of trauma that causes a significant change in their life are likely to develop depressive disorders.

Individuals who live with sick parents or are in poverty are also bound to get depressed quickly since they are experiencing homelessness at a greater intensity.

Genetic 

Some individuals become victims of depressive disorders because of their parents or generational conditions. If the family members of the individual, especially the parents, have any mental illness, it can change the natural chemicals/hormones of the individual’s body. The faulty genes are passed on, and the cycle of chemical imbalances continues until one family member decides to break the cycle.

Modifiers/Medications 

The use of long-term medication or any substance can alter brain chemistry. This will lead to a lack of release of the appropriate chemicals, such as happy hormones, pleasure hormones, etc., in the body, which can develop a mental disorder.

Individuals who have a habit of everyday use of drugs or alcohol fall prey to depression quite quickly, which further aggravates their mental illness.

Statistics show that almost 50% of individuals develop severe mental disorders from substance abuse and 29% of all mentally ill individuals tend to succumb to drugs and start abusing them.

These stats continue to grow, showing how the two are interconnected. We already discussed why individuals rely on drugs when suffering from a mental illness such as depression. These substances quickly solve the constant sadness and act as a confidence booster. On the contrary, if healthy individuals start abusing drugs, they can experience extreme depression due to the imbalance.

In these cases, the individual relies on street drugs to get the high relief, happiness, and calm they crave. The high allows them to regain their confidence temporarily, but the feeling is fleeting, and eventually, drug use leads to social isolation, self-harm, and suicidal ideation.

Depression isolates the individual entirely until they reach a point where the drugs are their only friends. That is how substance abuse disorders begin as well, with loneliness. Mental disorders lead to a lack of interest in activities that one usually enjoys, which leads them to try substances that give the brain the stimulation that normal activities do- socializing, goal-achievement, and hobbies.

Once the individual finds this quick method of receiving all the dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and impossible high happiness, they become more dependent on that substance to maintain the feeling.

Often the individuals’ friends and family try to help them overcome their substance dependency and urge them to choose healthy coping mechanisms. In most cases, when the attempts are unsuccessful, they leave the individual to deal with the consequences of their actions. 

The isolation and social denial further lead them toward the use of drugs and dependency. 

Hence, the situation, the mental illness, and the substance abuse disorder only worsen without adequate treatment. 

Getting help for depression and drug use is incredibly important to break this deterioration. It helps individuals save themselves from the vicious cycle and leads them toward a happier and more fulfilling life. It helps them prevent further heartache and damage to their brains to ensure they live a normal, healthy, and naturally happy life.

The individual will feel confident to step back into healthy relationships, maintain life goals and work on them, and finally take care of themselves with the kindness and empathy they deserve.