How Substance Abuse Leads to Depression
Depression is among the most common mental health conditions worldwide. In some cases, people who suffer from depression are also likely to deal with substance abuse issues. It’s important to understand the relationship between the two disorders and be aware of the treatment options that are available.
The Research on Depression
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression affects more than 264 million people globally. In the United States alone, more than 16 million adults—about 6.7% of the population—suffer from depression. The condition is also the leading cause of disability worldwide, which prohibits many people from holding a steady job and living a healthy life.
Although doctors don’t know exactly what causes depression, they do know which type of people it affects most often. Women, in particular, are much more likely to develop depression than men, at a rate of 8.7% for females to 5.3% for males. While depression affects people of all ages—including children—the median age of depression onset is about 32.5 years old.
The rate of depression in adolescents is also staggering. Over 3 million American children between the ages of 12 and 17 have reportedly experienced at least one major depressive episode in the past year. About 70% of adolescents who had a major depressive episode experienced a severe impairment, which kept them out of school, or unable to complete everyday tasks.
Researchers have even gone as far as analyzing the impact that depression has on the global economy. The economic burden of depression alone is thought to be around $210.5 billion per year. Nearly half of the economic cost is a result of work absences and lowered productivity due to depression. The other half is related to medical expenses, like antidepressants and other treatment costs.
The Connection Between Substance Abuse and Depression
Many people aren’t aware that depression and substance abuse are closely related. Roughly 20% of Americans with a mood disorder such as depression also have a substance use disorder. Conversely, about 20% of people who suffer from a substance abuse issue also have depression.
The main reason why depression can lead to substance abuse, and vice versa, is because the symptoms of one can lead to the other. For example, someone who is dealing with depression might be more likely to abuse alcohol or misuse drugs to self-medicate and mask their symptoms of sadness or isolation. This is especially common in people who don’t seek professional help for their depression.
On the other hand, someone who deals with alcoholism, for example, puts themselves at risk for depression. Because alcohol is a depressant, drinking heavily can lead to feelings associated with depression, like sadness or irritability. When someone is drinking too much, they might also make poor decisions that could ruin their relationships, or impact their job, which could put them into a depressed state.
Depression Can Lead to Substance Abuse Relapse
For people who have suffered from a substance abuse disorder, developing depression or a related mental health disorder could increase their chances of relapsing. For recovering addicts, using drugs or alcohol was once a way to numb negative feelings or cope with difficult situations. After developing depression, those familiar feelings could come back, triggering the person to revert back to their old habits.
Substance abuse recovery is a lifelong process. Even if a person has completed a course of treatment successfully, it doesn’t mean they aren’t at risk of relapsing. Depression introduces new emotions and situations that the person hasn’t experienced before. Recovering addicts could think about using drugs or alcohol as a crutch to get them through difficult times, but even a single drink or dose can turn into a much bigger problem.
Depression and substance abuse is particularly dangerous in people with a history of suicidal thoughts or tendencies. Some people who experience severe depressive episodes also contemplate suicide or self-harm. A recovering addict is likely to seek drugs or alcohol as a way to mask their feelings, which also puts them at risk for accidental overdose.
Getting Treatment for Depression
For people suffering from depression, getting professional treatment is critical in order to make a full recovery. Getting treatment early on makes the recovery process much more effective, and reduces the chance that the person will self-medicate or develop a substance abuse disorder.
There are a variety of treatments for depression, with medication being one of the most effective. Some of the most common antidepressants that are prescribed to people with depression include:
- Celexa
- Lexapro
- Prozac
- Zoloft
- Paxil
Talk therapy is another important form of depression treatment. For someone who is, or has suffered from a drug or alcohol problem, the therapist will also address those underlying issues. Additionally, there are certain medications that can improve symptoms of depression, while reducing cravings for drugs and alcohol.
When someone has a dual diagnosis of depression and a substance abuse disorder, getting comprehensive treatment for both conditions is much more effective than treating them separately. Depending on the person, they may need two completely different treatment plans for their depression and their substance abuse issues.
How TMS Can Help with Depression
Mental health professionals are also recommending alternative therapies for depression, such as Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). TMS is a relatively new, FDA-approved treatment for moderate to severe depression. It uses magnetic waves to stimulate areas of the brain that are thought to be dormant in people with depression, and are responsible for regulating mood.
People who undergo TMS treatments for depression often report feeling about 80% back to normal after four or five weeks, and at six weeks, many people report that the majority of their depressive symptoms have disappeared. If you’re interested in learning more about TMS at Pulse, contact our psychiatrist to see if you are a good candidate for the treatment.