Mental health issues and alcohol don’t mix well, but depression is an especially tricky beast when it comes to drinking. Many people who struggle with depression and alcohol abuse end up finding themselves on a downward spiral. Let’s take a look at how depression and alcohol can cause serious problems when combined.

Depression and Alcohol

If you’ve ever struggled with depression, you know how exhausting it can be. People who struggle with depression experience low energy, negative thoughts, feelings of hopelessness, a loss of interest in normal activities, and may even go through suicidal ideation. It’s natural to want to take a break from these thoughts. Unfortunately, alcohol is the way that many people who suffer from depression choose to escape their minds.

Alcohol is a depressant, which means it slows and stifles the body’s natural activities. For someone who struggles with depression, alcohol may provide them temporary relief from negative feelings. Alcohol can also release inhibition, which can allow people with depression to more easily socialize and open up to others. This in and of itself can be addictive for people who struggle with the loneliness that so often accompanies depression.

After the effects of alcohol wear off, a person who struggles with depression has more than just a hangover. Their depressive symptoms intensify. They may struggle with worrying about how they acted while they were drinking. If they opened up to others about their depression while drinking, the may feel a sense of embarrassment and shame. These heightened symptoms of depression can cause them to crave the escape provided by alcohol once again, shooting them into a downward spiral.

For people who struggle with depression and alcohol abuse, it can be hard to imagine that there is hope for recovery. Thankfully, qualified treatment centers can help people who struggle with depression and alcohol abuse get back on their feet.

Treating Depression and Alcohol Abuse

Recovering from depression and alcohol use can be challenging, but it is doable. People who struggle with a mental health issue and a substance abuse issue are dual diagnosis clients. This term simply means that they have more than one battle to fight. It’s important to seek a qualified dual diagnosis treatment center that is capable of treating both addiction and mental health issues at the same time. When both addiction and mental health issues are present, one almost always affects the other. A qualified counselor can create a personalized treatment plan that attacks the root causes of both issues.

Serenity Light Recovery: Offering Hope

At Serenity Light Recovery, we’re proud to provide our dual diagnosis clients with research-backed, proven therapeutic programming. We offer many modalities of treatment, including:

We understand that no two cases of depression are alike, and no two cases of addiction are alike. It’s important to us that we get to know you as a person. This allows us to create a treatment plan that will be effective for you. As you progress through rehabilitation, we’ll periodically revisit your treatment plan, making adjustments wherever necessary. We’ll ask you for your feedback and thoughts on your progress, and include you in the treatment plan creation and adjustment process.

Call Serenity Light Recovery

If you’re struggling with depression and alcohol abuse, you’re not alone. The two issues commonly go together, and we’re here to help you find your way back to a healthy, happy life. We specialize in dual diagnosis treatment. Our counselors understand how depression and alcohol abuse can feed off one another, and we can help you stop the negative spiral. Call Serenity Light Recovery today at 855.658.6109 to talk to one of our caring counselors about how we can help you get back on your feet. A healthy life is possible for you – you simply need to pick up the phone and ask for help.