Depression and drug abuse often go hand-in-hand, and you can’t treat one without the other. Many people find themselves slipping into depression during bouts of drug abuse, or they feel that they cannot manage their depression successfully without drugs. Here’s what you need to know about depression treatment and drug abuse treatment.
How Are They Related?
Depression and drug abuse are often cyclical. As you become more depressed, you feel like escaping through drugs. As you get more into drugs, your life becomes more difficult, and you become more depressed. This creates a cycle that’s very difficult to get out of.
Some people may find that once they resolve their drug abuse, their depression lifts; it can be a consequence of the drug abuse itself. Other people may find that they no longer feel like doing drugs once they are no longer suffering from depression. It may be a more complex relationship for others, and they may feel as though they have the tendencies for both. Regardless, it’s important to remember that neither is your fault. Depression and drug abuse can occur for a variety of reasons, and they are illnesses that people need help to recover from. Both drug abuse and depression often require the help of a professional.
How Do You Treat Depression and Drug Abuse?
When someone has problems with drug abuse and depression, it’s usually called a co-occurring disorder. Both these issues must be treated at once to be successful, as otherwise, one will naturally lead to the other. Depression can be treated through medication and therapy, depending on the causes. Drug abuse can also be treated through medication, which helps with withdrawal, and through therapy, which addresses the root cause.
Sometimes both depression and drug abuse can be due to environmental factors. If you are in an abusive or stressful environment, explore why this is the case. You may be able to recover once removed from that environment. This is why in-patient care is often helpful for those who have had issues recovering in the past. Other times, there may be an underlying medical condition that is leading to both issues. Chronic depression can run in families genetically and can lead a patient to drug abuse as a way to seek “self-treatment.” Either way, professionals can understand why you are experiencing drug abuse and depression and the next steps.
What Are Options for Drug Abuse and Depression Treatment?
In-patient treatment is a rigorous treatment plan that will take you out of your current environment and away from potential triggers and explore your current issues. Outpatient treatment is a less intensive service that lets you continue your day-to-day life while still undergoing therapy and other types of medical treatment. Which is right for you depends on the severity of your illness and your current life situation. Some people cannot take time off needed for inpatient treatment. Others may feel that outpatient treatment is enough for them.
Some people with mild depression may only need to change their lifestyle habits, such as getting more exercise, eating a healthier diet, or getting more sleep. Others may require medication or psychotherapy to get their symptoms under control. The most severe cases may require a partial hospitalization program (PHP) or inpatient treatment.
If you or a loved one is struggling with drug abuse and depression, there are many options for treatment. The type of treatment that is right for you will depend on the severity of your illness and your current life situation. Some people cannot take time off needed for inpatient treatment. Others may feel that outpatient treatment is enough for them.
How to Help Yourself or a Loved One
Dual diagnosis treatment at our mental health treatment center doesn’t work instantaneously. Like most good things in life, it takes time and consistency. However, throughout a person’s mental health recovery, you can do a few things at home for yourself or with a loved one struggling with the disorder to speed up the process.
- Exercise regularly: Getting regular exercise is a great way to alleviate stress, sleep better, and lessen the symptoms of bipolar disorder.
- Listen to your body: Meditation and relaxation techniques will keep you in touch with your body and ensure more restful and regular sleep.
- Learn everything you can about your disorder: Learning to spot your symptoms and what you can do to overcome them is an integral part of long-term healing.
Stick to a Schedule
Continue attending your recommended therapy sessions, be consistent with your medication, and above all else, know when and how to ask for help. At Crestview, you will attend counseling with professionals who will tell you whether they feel that inpatient or outpatient is the right choice. Often, inpatient treatment will still be followed by outpatient treatment. This ensures that a patient sticks to their treatment plan and gives the client the support that they need.
Do you feel like you need treatment for these issues? It may be time to see a professional. Our mental health center can help you determine the next step on your recovery journey.
Seeking Assistance for Mental Health Concerns
Unfortunately, uncontrolled mental health issues and drug use often lead to a dead-end in the long run. Therefore, an anxiety treatment program is often a critical part of the drug treatment process. Read on to learn more about the relationship between anxiety and addiction and how the mental health treatment programs at Crestview Recovery can help. Contact us by calling 866.262.0531 to find a therapist.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
