Addiction and Depression Treatment

Problems at work, difficulties at home, or relationships can lead to feeling down and struggling to feel good about yourself, but these periods are generally short-lived. When you have clinical depression, your condition is much worse than when you have a bad day now and then. Clinical depression is a serious mental condition that has devastating consequences for those who suffer from it.

The obvious link between depression and addiction is old news to the experienced mental health professionals at Northpoint Recovery. As you might suspect, addiction is quite typical among those who have clinical depression. But, help is available. Learn more about our depression treatment options by calling 888.296.8976. We treatment a variety of co-occurring disorders.

Sadness or Depression?

It’s important to understand the difference between sadness and depression. Sometimes people will use the two terms interchangeably, but they are very different. Most people have experienced sadness or grief that lasted for a long time, but their feelings always improved. Even those who have suffered from having a temporary case of what they might refer to as the blues, their conditions improved. 

Clinical depression is a condition indicated by the DSM V lasting for at least two weeks. It interferes with your ability to work, causes problems in your social life, and makes it hard for you to maintain strong and healthy relationships. When someone is depressed, they will experience a sense of hopelessness. They will feel sad, but that sadness is magnified. Low energy is also another common complaint among those who have depression.

Common Risk Factors for Depression

Depression is one of the most common mental issues in the United States today. While research is still unclear as to what could cause depression, scientists agree that some risk factors tend to be common denominators in those who suffer from depression. They are a combination of genetic factors, biological factors, environmental factors, and psychological factors, including:

• Having a family member who has a history of depression
• Experiencing a major life change
• Living through a traumatic event
• Having a constant state of feeling stressed
• Going through certain types of physical illnesses or diseases
• Taking certain types of medications

Depression can happen to anyone, regardless of age. Usually, however, it does not begin until the adult years. Those who have medical problems such as diabetes, heart disease, or cancer are very high risk of becoming depressed. The medications prescribed to treat these conditions often list depression as a side effect.

Is There a Link Between Depression and Addiction?

When people think about depression, they most often think about its effect on moods. While it’s true that depression does heavily influence moods, its reach extends much farther than that. Depression can lead to physical discomfort in the body, including chronic fatigue, decreased appetite, sleep deprivation or oversleeping, and increased aches and pains.

It’s no surprise that substance abuse and depression are so closely related. People who have a depressive disorder will frequently reach for drugs or alcohol to cope with emotional or physical pain. Using substances is a way for them to improve how they feel or get rid of painful thoughts, even if it’s just for a short time. Of course, the effects of drugs and alcohol don’t last for long, causing people to go right back to using them again. Because of this, both depression and addiction feed into each other. Continued substance abuse always makes depression symptoms worse.

Is Addiction And Depression Treatment Right For You?

Studies have shown that unless the source of the addiction is treated, the addiction is likely to continue. It was once believed that addiction should be managed first to treat co-occurring disorders properly. This is no longer the recommendation. Most experts agree that the best way to treat depression and addiction is by:

• Providing patients with a comprehensive, personalized treatment plan that addresses their unique needs.
• Making sure each patient gets an accurate diagnosis for proper treatment.
• Managing patient medications to ensure that they are not contributing to the addiction or the depression.
• Providing counseling sessions with a therapist who has been trained to treat co-occurring disorders.
• Offering group therapy to aid in recovery. 
• If you have both an addiction and depression, please know that you’re not alone. There are so many others who have found hope with dual diagnosis treatment.

You do not have to suffer in silence or on your own. A depression treatment program in Boise is your best option for living the life you want.

Choose Northpoint Recovery For Depression Therapy in Boise

Whether you’ve suffered from depression for most of your adult life or your diagnosis of depression is still relatively new to you, if you’re using drugs or alcohol to self-medicate in an attempt to help yourself feel better, you’re heading down a very dangerous road. Often, those with depression don’t realize the link between their depression and addiction or that help is available. 

At Northpoint Recovery, we offer depression treatment options to help those who suffer from depression and addiction. We believe that one should never be treated without treating the other. In our experience, we’ve had great success with helping people overcome their addictions by treating their depression symptoms too, and we’d like to do the same thing for you.

If you would like to get more information about how a depression treatment program in Boise can get you on the path to living a sober, happy life, reach out to our team of mental health professionals at 888.296.8976.