Depression increases the risk of alcohol addiction and dependence in individuals. Depressed people occasionally use alcohol to numb their symptoms, which include restlessness, anxiety, irritability, and loss of interest. Drinking turns into a sedative and a reality escape. Unfortunately, alcohol abuse, when depressed, can have detrimental effects on one’s physical and mental health.
What is Depression?
Depression is a type of mood disorder wherein the person experiences a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Other commonly known terms for this are major depression or major depressive disorder. It affects how you think, feel and behave and can contribute to various physical and emotional problems. You may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities and sometimes feel like life isn’t worth living.
Depression is more common in women than in men, and it is more common in younger adults than in older adults. Although depression can strike anyone at any age or moment, it typically first manifests in the late teens to mid-20s.
Being depressed, having the blues, or feeling “down in the dumps” are common experiences for people. The depressive symptoms must, however, be present for the majority of the day, almost every day, for a period of longer than two weeks, in addition to a discernible alteration in day-to-day functioning (e.g., in work/school performance, personal relationships, and hobbies) for depression to be diagnosed. Thankfully, depression is highly curable.
Symptoms Of Depression
People usually experience more than one episode of depression, even if it may only happen once in their lifetime. Symptoms during these episodes can happen almost every day for most of the day and can include:
- Sadness, tears, emptiness, or a dismal feeling
- Outbursts of rage, irritation, or frustration—even over trivial issues
- Loss of enjoyment or interest in the majority of everyday activities, including sex, hobbies, and sports
- Sleep disorders, such as excessive or insufficient sleep
- Fatigue and low energy that make even simple chores more difficult
- Decreased hunger and weight loss or increased food cravings and weight gain
- Restlessness, agitation, or anxiety
- Sluggish speech, thought, or movement
- Feelings of guilt or unworthiness, an obsession with mistakes made in the past, or self-blame
- Feelings of guilt or unworthiness, an obsession with mistakes made in the past, or self-blame
- Difficulty focusing, thinking, remembering, and making judgments
thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, attempts at suicide, or thoughts of dying often or repeatedly - Unexplained health issues, such as headaches or back discomfort
Many individuals with depression typically experience symptoms that are severe enough to cause difficulty in their day-to-day activities, such as relationships with others, jobs, school, or social activities. Some people may experience widespread misery or unhappiness for no apparent reason.
Does Alcohol Cause Depression?
The brain’s neurotransmitters are changed by excessive alcohol misuse. When drinking too much alcohol, chemicals like dopamine and serotonin will change quickly. Serotonin aids in mood regulation, while dopamine governs the reward system in the brain.
Alcohol and depression are interconnected because, among other health issues, abnormally high or low concentrations of these substances can cause depression symptoms. Alcohol use may lead to depression and raise the risk of serious physical harm and possibly suicidal thoughts and actions if therapy is not received.
How Alcohol Use Disorder Can Factor into Depression
Alcohol alters a person’s brain chemistry in both the short and long term. When you drink alcohol, you usually feel better right away. This is because alcohol releases a plethora of “feel-good” neurochemicals, including GABA, dopamine, and other endorphins. This chemical concoction improves mood and encourages relaxation for the first several minutes.
The more alcohol is consumed over time, the more diluted these effects become. Because of this, habitual drinkers experience less of the feel-good rush and often increase their intake in an attempt to restore it. One of the things that contributes to noticeable side effects, such as depression after heavy drinking, is chasing this alcohol high.
In terms of long-term impacts, regular alcohol exposure causes the brain to adapt to the effects of alcohol by changing the chemistry of the brain. For instance, the brain would create less dopamine and GABA to compensate for the increased levels of these neurotransmitters caused by alcohol. Consequently, the absence of alcohol causes a person’s levels of these crucial neurochemicals to drop. Additionally, anxiety and despair after drinking might linger for a long time until the brain heals itself if alcohol is entirely stopped.
Depression and Binge Drinking
Binge drinking frequently starts at a young age. While some individuals start to drink too much during their high school years, others do so during their undergraduate years. Binge consumption is frequently associated with other mental health conditions. Depression, anxiety, and binge drinking are prevalent during the initial year of college. Students who are separated from their parents for the first time and relocated to a distance of several hours may experience feelings of isolation and bewilderment.
Many individuals may be experiencing dissociation, depression and anxiety as they attempt to assimilate into new people and unfamiliar environments. Consequently, they may resort to excessively using alcohol as a coping mechanism. At least, that is their perception of the situation.
Unfortunately, excessive drinking does not alleviate depression or anxiety; rather, it exacerbates them. It is a major risk factor. Nevertheless, it is a common misconception that alcohol alleviates these symptoms. Consequently, they develop negative patterns that are not merely a habit but a lifestyle. This is the reason why a significant number of individuals who suffer from depression resort to excessive drinking.
Treatment Options for Alcoholism and Depression
A combination of therapies, such as one-on-one and group counseling, behavioral therapies, medications to alleviate alcohol withdrawal symptoms or treat symptoms of depression, and long-term discharge planning to assist in the maintenance of sobriety, may be effective in the treatment of depression and alcohol use.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Medications are essential to medication-assisted treatment; however, they are not the sole component. MAT, on the other hand, is a comprehensive strategy for the treatment of substance use disorders. MAT integrates behavioral treatment that is customized to each patient’s specific requirements with pharmacological treatment (medications).
This comprehensive patient-centered approach has facilitated the recovery of numerous individuals. MAT may effectively reduce cravings, inhibit some of the rewarding properties of specific substances, and ultimately reduce drinking and continued substance use behavior in its various forms.
MAT is a comprehensive treatment approach that integrates strategies to address a variety of life components, such as vocational issues, medical and mental health concerns, family issues, and legal concerns. This is achieved through monitoring, support, screening, referrals, and counseling, which are implemented throughout the program’s various phases.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a well-documented and widely used form of psychotherapy that emphasizes the development of adaptive thought patterns, the modification of learned patterns of problematic behavior, and the development of healthy coping skills to improve mental and emotional well-being.
Numerous research studies have demonstrated its beneficial effects and the substantial improvement in daily functioning and overall wellness, particularly in the context of depression and alcohol addiction. Furthermore, CBT can be employed in conjunction with, or in certain instances, in place of psychotropic drugs, thereby enhancing its accessibility to a large number of individuals.
In therapeutic practice, mental health professionals employ CBT to motivate clients to evaluate their thoughts and emotions and their impact on or influence on their behavior. Additionally, clients acquire the ability to cultivate constructive thought and behavioral patterns.
A CBT-trained therapist assists clients in reframing their thoughts and acquiring a more optimistic perspective through guided conversation. This improves their ability to cope with stressors and other challenging situations.
If an individual employs alcohol as a coping mechanism or distraction, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can assist them in redirecting the unhelpful patterns of thought or behavior that have affected their drinking habits. Additionally, CBT can instruct people with major depression or those with addiction to substances such as alcohol in the development of healthy coping mechanisms and behaviors that enable them to maintain an alcohol-free and well-balanced lifestyle.
Holistic Activities
Holistic therapy prioritizes the individual’s overall health while simultaneously managing the physical symptoms that are frequently observed in conjunction with depression and alcoholism, such as withdrawal symptoms and medical conditions that may arise during substance abuse.
Treatment centers that provide holistic therapy employ physical exercise, mindfulness-based meditation, spiritual services, and nutrition services to assist individuals in embarking on a recovery journey characterized by the development of robust coping strategies that will ensure their long-term success. These include yoga, meditation, acupuncture, art therapy, and others.
Group Therapy
As social beings, our innate desire to gather together can be a potent healing aid. Formal therapeutic groups possess the ability to exert influence and provide encouragement. Organized groups focused on substance usage can provide individuals with valuable knowledge, direction, and emotional support. With the assistance of a therapist, groups can cultivate positive connections and impart individuals with new social abilities.
There is increasing evidence that group therapy may offer even greater benefits. Participants in group therapy are more dedicated to sustaining abstinence. Therapists may employ diverse group treatment methods to address the group’s requirements during the many stages of recovery. These would include support groups, psychoeducational groups, and self-development groups.
How to Get Help
It is evident that excessive drinking is detrimental to one’s health and can develop into a chronic condition that necessitates treatment. There is a significant distinction between indulging in a glass of wine occasionally and consuming alcohol or other drugs to sustain oneself throughout the day and alter one’s emotional state. Do not hesitate to seek assistance if you believe your consumption has become unmanageable. Our team of mental health experts is dedicated to providing you with the individualized and evidence-based alcohol treatment that is best suited to your specific needs. Contact Luxe Recovery to learn more about the connection between alcohol and depression treatment today to regain control of your life.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Common is Depression in Alcoholics?
Depression is the most common co-occurring mental health condition, with 63% of individuals with alcohol use disorder experiencing major depressive disorder. This can create a vicious cycle, where depression may lead to increased alcohol consumption as a form of self-medication, and alcohol misuse can exacerbate depressive symptoms.
Why Does Alcohol Make Me Emotional?
Alcohol is particularly associated with socialization, relaxation, enjoyment, and partying among young adults. Depression, anxiety, and other adverse consequences are the result of uncontrolled alcohol consumption. Significant emotional vulnerabilities are frequently linked to these and other effects of alcohol consumption.
Long-term sobriety is the status of abstinence from alcohol for an extended period. It is generally defined as the period beyond one year of continuous sobriety, although some individuals define it as being sober for five years or more. It includes prioritizing one’s physical well-being and relationships and achieving financial stability.
How Can I Stop Drinking So Much Alcohol?
If you are a victim of alcoholism, alleviate yourself the agony of depression, hopelessness, tension, mood swings, and other symptoms. At Luxe Recovery, we provide specialized assistance and treatment to individuals who are struggling with depression and alcohol dependence. Make contact with us today to begin your journey to sobriety and healing.
