Treating Co-Occurring Depression

Treating Co-Occurring Depression
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Alcoholismis a widespread problem for individuals of all ages and demographics, fewer realize that a large percentage of those same individuals who suffer from an alcohol addiction also have a problem with clinical depression.

Depression is a serious problem in and of itself. In the United States alone, it is believed that over 25 million people currently suffer from depression -and a large number of these individuals are either misdiagnosed by doctors, or never seek proper treatment for their condition.

Alcohol and depression are a common combination, and one that makes treat each of these conditions quite complicated.

Alcohol Addiction and Depression: A Dangerous Mix

One of the biggest problems facing those who suffer from both depression and alcoholism is how each condition tends to make the other one worse. Individuals with a chronic depression problem are likely to use alcohol as a misguided means for self-medicating their pain.

The sad irony of this fact is that alcohol only makes depression worse.

Alcohol depresses the central nervous system and the brain – adding to the mental health problems that led the individual to drink in the first place.

A 1999 study looked at individuals who had more than one drink a day and also suffered from depression. When they stopping drinking, or reduced the amount of alcohol that they consumed, their scores on a depressive index went up -meaning that their mood and mental state improved as a result.

Alcohol Rehabs That Also Treatment Depression

Individuals who enter into an alcohol rehab program while suffering from depression are at a high risk for relapse and even suicide. Their condition is known as a dual diagnosis and it requires an integrated form of care that is not readily available at every treatment center.

What Makes Dual Diagnosis Treatment Different?

The needs of an individual who is suffering from co-occurring depression and alcohol addiction are different from those who may have one condition or the other (but not both). Integrated care, in which a team of medical professionals work together to address every aspect of the dual diagnosis is required to ensure proper treatment.

Integrated care involves mental health professionals helping the individual cope with their depression, while counselors and detox specialists work on the addiction component. Both must be treated at once in order to insure that all areas are being properly addressed.

This is a challenge because there is overlap between the symptoms for each of the conditions -and each tends to make the other worse.

Some of the overlapping symptoms between depression and alcoholism include:

  • Withdrawal from friends and family
  • Sudden mood swings and irritability
  • Suicidal thoughts and self-harming behavior
  • Long periods of sleep or inactivity

Michael’s House is a residential alcohol rehab facility located in Palm Springs, California. The treatment staff at Michael’s House works with dual diagnosis patients to provide the highest levels of integrated care.

Contact Michael’s House today at 1-877-345-8494 for more information.