Depression is a very real, life-changing mental health condition that requires professional treatment. Addiction often occurs with mental health disorders. If you believe your loved one has both, or either, reach out for immediate support.
At The Ranch at Dove Tree, we provide individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) and mental health disorders, including depression, with reliable support and comprehensive care. Treating both conditions at the same time can be one of the most effective ways to protect your loved one’s health and well-being.
Do Addiction and Depression Happen at the Same Time?
Depression and addiction frequently co-occur, in which one condition reinforces the other in an ongoing cycle and loop. Some people turn to substances as a way to reduce the depressive symptoms they have. Others find themselves struggling with addiction’s hold and becoming depressed as a component of it.
In either situation, all co-occurring conditions benefit from professional care. Addressing the underlying cause, creating a treatment plan, and working to create a better future starts with understanding what is happening and why.
The 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that 35% of people who are 18 or older in the US suffer from an SUD and another mental health disorder. It’s not rare, and it can happen to anyone, including your loved one.
Signs Your Loved One Is Struggling with Depression and Anxiety
The symptoms of addiction and depression occurring at the same time include the following:
- Pulling away from others. A person is less likely to engage in social activities, preferring to be alone. They may no longer engage in activities they once enjoyed.
- Personality changes. A person with depression and anxiety is more likely to suffer from significant mood swings and irritability. Even when you don’t think they have a “reason” to be upset, they seem different than before.
- Changes in appearance. Look for a person who isn’t taking care of themselves as they once did, perhaps not eating or sleeping well. They may be eating less or more, leading to weight loss or gain.
- Engaging in risky behaviors. Increasingly engaging in activities they know are risky, such as drinking and driving or acting aggressively towards others.
- Change in responsibility management. They can’t meet their obligations at home, work, or school. They struggle to balance life even though they seem to try.
Suffering from depression and addiction isn’t uncommon, but it also isn’t something that should be ignored. If you believe there is substantial evidence that your loved one is struggling with both conditions, it may be time to talk to them and learn what may be happening.
Why Addiction and Depression Happen Together
Many people with SUDs and mental health disorders face an ongoing cycle, one that eventually impacts every part of life. Here’s a look at what can happen.
- Using substances to self-medicate. A person turns to alcohol or drugs as a way to escape the intense depressive thoughts and feelings they have. Some turn to alcohol to forget about those worries. Others rely on stimulants to have the energy to get through the day.
- The brain’s chemistry changes. Over time, the use of these substances changes the way the brain functions, often resulting in the need to consistently seek out the substances they now believe they need to navigate stress or life. Over time, even everyday tasks become dependent on whether substances are available.
- Recovery isn’t easy. A person may want to change, and they may experience ongoing cravings and intense withdrawal symptoms that make it impossible to simply stop.
What’s more, if a person begins using antidepressants through their doctor’s treatment, they may find that the substances make those medications less effective. That leads to the need to use again, and sometimes even more.
Depression and addiction have many of the same triggers, including previous trauma, high stress levels, and emotional dysfunction. That doesn’t mean everyone with depression uses a substance. However, because the two are linked, it can be hard to know how to help your loved one.
How Depression and Addiction Treatment Works
The most effective way to treat addiction and depression is in an integrated treatment program that addresses both conditions at the same time. With the same treatment team working on both conditions, your loved one gets a higher level of care and more effective outcomes.
This typically includes the use of psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, and medication to support mental health needs. Neither condition will just get better or go away. But treatment can be very effective.
We Can Help You with Depression and Addiction Treatment
Speak to the team at The Ranch at Dove Tree to learn what your treatment options are. We can offer immediate support to help your loved one get care for both conditions. Set up a consultation with us now to learn more.
