Alcohol addiction and depression have many commonalities. They both can significantly lower quality of life, and they can both have fatal outcomes when left untreated. Addiction and depression treatment can offer a way to heal and move forward from these potentially deadly conditions.
Vertava Health Mississippi is an addiction treatment center that provides support for a variety of mental health concerns, including depression. Call 844.470.0410 today to get help for alcohol and depression at Vertava Health Mississippi.
Alcoholism and Depression Share Similarities
Alcohol addiction and depression are two serious conditions, and each can exist without the presence of the other. In addition to the risk of death associated with each, the two share other key similarities.
Alcoholism and depression have a variety of symptoms and are diagnosed when an individual’s experience meets certain criteria.
Alcoholism is a type of substance use disorder. Key signs of alcoholism include:
- Increase in tolerance
- Withdrawal symptoms when drinking is stopped
- Cravings for alcohol
- Constant thoughts about getting or consuming more alcohol
- Alcohol use interferes with relationships and responsibilities
- Alcohol use brings unwanted consequences, like legal issues
Depression is a mental health condition. Common symptoms of depression include:
- Loss of interest or motivation
- Feelings of numbness or apathy
- Disinterest in relationships or hobbies
- Withdrawal or isolation
- Thoughts of suicide or death
When the symptoms of either condition persist, or severe symptoms are present, it’s a sign that professional help is needed.
Drinking Can Cause Depression
Excessive alcohol use brings on a huge range of negative consequences and can ultimately lead to a substance use disorder. Some people who begin drinking can remain in control of their alcohol consumption, but many people find their intake difficult to regulate.
According to the CDC, alcohol depresses the nervous system, which can result in changes to the brain over time. This alone may lead to depression, but that’s not the only reason alcohol use often results in the symptoms of depression.
Alcoholism generally lowers a person’s quality of life on all levels. It causes harm to relationships with family and friends, hurts performance at work and school, and can lead to issues with health, finances, employment, and the law.
Alcohol addiction often has such a negative impact on people’s lives that it’s no surprise depression can be a result.
Depression Can Lead to Alcohol Addiction
Just as alcohol use can cause depression, depression can also lead to alcohol addiction.
When an individual is struggling with depression, they often live under the burden of unbearable feelings. Alcohol can provide a sense of temporary escape from the thoughts and feelings that accompany depression.
Using a substance like alcohol to escape from the symptoms of an untreated mental health concern is such a common practice that it even has a name: “self-medicating.” Although the practice of self-medicating can provide the illusion of relief, in reality, substance use can worsen a mental health condition significantly.
Frequent alcohol use can develop into a substance use disorder quickly, and the resulting physical and psychological dependence is very difficult to overcome without professional help.
Vertava Health Mississippi Offers Help for Alcohol and Depression
Untreated depression puts people at risk of suicide. Alcohol addiction can similarly bring fatal outcomes caused by everything from withdrawal symptoms to liver failure to drunk driving accidents.
Getting help for alcohol addiction and depression is the first step in regaining health on all levels—physical, mental, and emotional. If you or a loved one is struggling with alcoholism, depression, or any other mental health concerns, a professional treatment program can provide the tools for restoring wellness to your life.
Call 844.470.0410 and ask about getting help for alcoholism and depression at Vertava Health Mississippi.
