10 Self-Care Tips: The Connection Between Depression and Addiction

Learn about the relationship between depression and addiction and how to seek proper care and treatment.

What Is Depression?

Depression, also known as major depressive disorder, is a prevalent and medically severe condition that negatively affects how a person feels, thinks, and acts. In 2020, approximately 21 million people aged eighteen or older in the United States had at least one major depressive disorder, with 14.8 million experiencing at least one episode with severe impairment.¹

Clinical Depression

Clinical depression is a mood disorder that causes sadness and a loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable. Symptoms of depression are persistent, ranging from mild to severe, and can significantly affect the ability to function and perform daily tasks.

This condition is different from normal mood swings or mood fluctuations, as it significantly impacts the person’s everyday life. Depression can be caused by major life-changing events, such as losing a loved one or being fired. However, it is essential to note that feelings of grief and sadness are considered symptoms of depression if they are persistent.

Understanding Clinical Depression

Does Depression Make You Prone to Addiction?

Depression and substance abuse tend to go hand in hand, with individuals seeking to relieve depressive feelings with drugs or alcohol. As a result, depression increases the likelihood of developing an addiction due to the common tendency to self-medicate depressive symptoms with substances, leading to dependency and addiction.

The Most Common Types of Depression

The seven prevalent types of depression will be detailed below.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

This is chronic depression; feelings of sadness and loss characterize this disorder.

Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD)

Persistent depressive disorder (PDD), also known as dysthymia, is not as severe as MDD, as the symptoms are usually milder. Nonetheless, PDD causes long-term symptoms of depression that last for at least two years.

Bipolar Disorder (BD)

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder characterized by periods of extreme mood swings of emotional highs (mania) and lows (depression). This type of depression comes with physical and emotional symptoms such as feelings of fatigue and pain.

Postpartum Depression (PD)

Postpartum depression arises from hormonal imbalances from pregnancy; it can occur during pregnancy or after the birth of a child. It is often called “baby blues” and could last about two weeks or even longer.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)

This type of depression comes before the female monthly menstrual period. PMDD presents as feelings of sadness, irritability, hopelessness, anxiety, and fatigue.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) typically occurs during winter, causing sleeplessness, sadness, low energy, and difficulty concentrating. It is the most difficult to pinpoint, making it easier to go unnoticed for an extended period.

Atypical Depression

This form of depression does not follow the usual symptoms of depression. Atypical depression symptoms may include overeating, oversleeping, weight gain, and oversensitivity to rejection. In most cases, people with this kind of depression might not be aware they are depressed, as it doesn’t take the face of the usual symptoms of depression.

Depression: An Overview

Signs and Symptoms of Depression and Addiction

There are many symptoms caused by depression and substance abuse. These will be discussed further below.

Common Symptoms of Depression

These include the following:

Hopeless outlook on life
Loss of interest
Lack of sleep
Increased fatigue
Anxiety
Uncontrolled emotions

Severe Symptoms of Depression

These include:

Suicidal ideation
Guilt and worthlessness
Loss of appetite

Common Signs of Addiction

These include:

Financial issues
Extreme mood change
Lying
Sudden energy change
Sense of urgency
Secretiveness

How Does Depression Make You Prone to Addiction?

Depression and substance abuse are common co-occurring disorders, as one could lead to the other. In other words, addiction can cause symptoms of depression due to changes in the brain from substance abuse, and depression can lead to addiction due to using substances as a coping mechanism.

It is only natural for people to seek a way to numb the unpleasant feelings characteristic of depression. This often leads to a downward spiral, where in trying to avoid the feelings of depression, a person begins to use and depend on substances, subsequently leading to addiction.

Co-occurring depression and addiction can also develop due to biochemical changes in the brain and the influence addiction has on day-to-day life, such as financial and relationship issues.

Risk Factors for Depression

Some risk factors for depression include:

Family history
Genetics
Excessive stress
Gender
Improper nutrition
Grief
Personality traits

Addiction Risk Factors

Some common addiction risk factors include:

Peer pressure
Less involvement of loved ones
Intake of highly addictive drugs
Mental health disorders, such as depression

Depression and Co-occurring Addiction

Alcohol addiction and depression are common. Alcohol is used to suppress feelings of sadness and anxiety due to its effects on the brain. Thus, individuals who suffer from depression tend to depend on excessive use of alcohol to gain a temporary feeling of euphoria.

Depression in Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol has a relatively high addictive potential, and its effects are only temporary in masking depression-related symptoms. Alcohol can worsen depressive symptoms as time passes, leading to addiction and increased severity of the addiction.

Research has found that people with alcohol addiction are 2.3 times more likely to have major depressive disorder than those without alcohol addiction. Additionally, 33% of patients in treatment for alcohol use disorder also met the criteria for MDD.²

Depression and Marijuana Addiction

Many have indicated marijuana use to ease the symptoms of depression; however, this benefit is usually short-term. Consistent use of marijuana to numb depressive feelings can cause high levels of dependency, which may grow into a full-on addiction.

Although marijuana hasn’t been found to directly cause depression, marijuana smokers are more likely to be diagnosed with depression than individuals who do not smoke marijuana. A meta-analysis of fourteen studies found that individuals who use cannabis are 1.17 times more likely and those who heavily use cannabis are 1.62 times more likely to develop depressive disorders than those who do not use the substance.³

Depression and Stimulants Addiction

Reduced dopamine levels in the brain can cause depression. Stimulants can drastically increase dopamine production when consumed, leading to a significant drop in dopamine when the stimulant wears off. The brain becomes dependent on the stimulant’s ability to produce dopamine, causing both an addiction to the substance and depressive symptoms.

Certain studies show that exposure to heightened dopamine levels can cause depression. This is due to different mechanisms in the brain, most notably dopamine receptor downregulation.⁴

How to Help Someone With Substance Addiction

Empathy involves understanding and sharing another person’s feelings. People who struggle with addiction and depression go through many physical and emotional hardships. Try to see things from their perspective and offer them as much support, love, and care as possible.

Set Boundaries

Setting boundaries can help people along the road to recovery a lot quicker and avoid relapses. For instance, setting financial limits can reduce access to substances, and establishing emotional boundaries can help protect the mental well-being of both parties.

Be Non-Judgmental

Try to be supportive and apprehensive of negative behavior without appearing judgmental. This is especially important when dealing with depressed individuals to prevent them from feeling even worse about their situation. Providing a judge-free environment can help the person realize they have loved ones who want to support and help them.

Be Honest About the Problem

Make the situation clear so they can see the challenges and work through overcoming them. Be apprehensive of negative behavior and call out telltale signs that indicate relapses.

Offer Solutions

Please read up on their condition and how it affects them. Seek expert care and offer to initiate interactions with professionals who can help. Offer viable solutions and take things one at a time while ensuring they get the care they require.

Self-Care Tips for Those With Depression or Addiction

If you or a loved one struggles with depression, a substance abuse disorder, or both, it’s essential to maintain physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being. Self-care can help manage overall stress levels while also increasing energy, both of which are beneficial for those in recovery or dealing with mental health struggles.

Here are ten self-care tips you can utilize to increase well-being:

Getting regular exercise
Eating well-balanced meals and staying hydrated
Getting enough sleep
Starting meditation or other wellness activities
Setting personal goals or priorities to look forward to
Practicing gratitude
Taking time for yourself
Focusing on positivity
Staying connected with loved ones
Taking care of your physical health and regularly attending doctor’s appointments

How to Start Self-Care

Self-care looks different for everyone, so it’s important to find what works for you. The tips above will help with overall health and wellness, but specific self-care tips might vary from person to person. Make sure to utilize what is most beneficial for you and your overall mental health.

Starting any self-care activity or routine can be overwhelming at first, so we recommend starting small, like taking a long, relaxing bath or walking around the block. As the self-care routines begin to settle in, consider incorporating more and employing other tactics that aid healing and recovery.

Self-Care and Anxiety

Anxiety can cause mental symptoms, such as panic, intense worry, and fearfulness, as well as physical issues, such as heart palpitations, headaches, insomnia, and shaking. Therefore, it is important for patients with anxiety to utilize self-care tips to manage their symptoms and stay as mentally healthy as possible.

Prioritizing Self-Care

Some self-care ideas that those with anxiety disorders can use include:

Relaxation Training: This consists of relaxing certain groups of muscles that automatically tense up with anxiety symptoms. It generally starts with relaxing one group of muscles at a time and then working your way throughout the entire body.
Exercise: Regular exercise, even something as simple as taking a thirty-minute walk, can help relax the body and the mind.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: This type of therapy is especially beneficial for those with anxiety, as it helps the patient reframe negative patterns of thinking and change them into a more positive light.
Meditation: Learning how to clear and slow down the mind will help alleviate symptoms of anxiety that can be overwhelming.

Self-Care and Trauma

For those who have undergone trauma, such as physical assault, an abusive home life during childhood, or witnessing a traumatic event, utilizing self-care tips can help mitigate certain risks and symptoms that might still crop up years after the trauma occurred.

How Does Self-Care Help Those With Trauma?

Everyone deals with the physical, emotional, and mental symptoms of trauma differently and on their own timeline, meaning that not every self-care tip will work the same for everyone. The initial response of disruption after the traumatic event may take days, weeks, or months to deal with. Utilizing self-care to help manage trauma symptoms can be highly beneficial. One of the best tips is to be patient; remember that healing is not a race.

Trauma can also change how a person’s brain functions, altering their overall sense of safety. This usually means that those who have experienced a traumatic event, especially at a young age, may not know how to adequately employ self-care tactics to help themselves feel safe or truly relaxed.

Self-Care For Those Who’ve Experienced Traumatic Events

Some self-care ideas for those who have undergone trauma include:

Feel whatever emotions come up
Don’t numb feelings with drugs or alcohol, as this can lead to substance abuse issues and worsened symptoms
Spend time with others and stay in touch with loved ones
Seek professional help by attending therapy
Begin journaling, meditating, or engaging in hobbies—anything that helps with managing feelings that could arise after the trauma occurred

Self-Care and Drug Abuse

Drug abuse or addiction can create a myriad of problems in people’s lives, ranging from how they manage their relationships to their physical and mental health. While drug abuse can take over many areas of life, it’s important to practice self-care as much as possible. Utilizing self-care can help patients with a substance use disorder reduce their cravings, practice healthy coping skills, and minimize the likelihood that one could relapse if they have already started detox and recovery.

Self-Care Strategies

Some beneficial self-care strategies for those struggling with drug abuse include:

Maintaining Boundaries: Healthy boundaries can include saying no to others who put your emotional, physical, or mental health at risk, prioritizing activities that you enjoy and increase your mood, and ensuring you give yourself enough time to rest your mind and body.
Dealing With Negative Emotions: Learning how to cope with negative emotions in a healthy way is imperative for those in recovery, as it helps you refrain from using substances. This can include attending therapy regularly, discussing your feelings with a loved one, journaling, or exercising.

Treatment for Depression and Addiction

The three primary methods used in depression and addiction treatment include:

Medication

Antidepressants are administered with the help of a clinician to help patients manage depression. Several antidepressants include tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and monoamine oxidase inhibitors. These drugs help modulate and restore imbalances of neurotransmitters in the brain, which lead to depression.

During detoxification, the process of eliminating toxins and substances from the body, medical professionals can prescribe medication to help manage and alleviate withdrawal symptoms. For example, some patients may benefit from naltrexone or topiramate, which help manage withdrawal symptoms when trying to quit alcohol.

Therapies

Therapy involves the treatment of an individual without the use of medication or invasive procedures. Therapy can be beneficial for mental and physical illnesses and is an excellent treatment method for addiction and depression.

They involve gradually going through the root cause of the problem with an expert while developing healthy recovery mechanisms. Some of the most common therapies include:⁵

Psychotherapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
Interpersonal therapy
Group therapy
Family therapy
Behavioral therapy
Individual therapy

Understanding Psychotherapy

Support Groups

Patients can participate in group therapy sessions with others recovering from similar conditions. Support groups entail sharing experiences, building relationships, and encouraging one another on the road to recovery.

Find Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder at San Diego Detox

At San Diego Detox, we specialize in helping patients struggling with addiction maintain their sobriety and regain their lives. San Diego Detox is fully licensed and highly regarded for our successful addiction and depression treatment programs. We provide various evidence-based treatments for co-occurring disorders and individual disorders, such as clinical depression.

Integrated Treatment Program

Our experts are trained to treat comorbidities involving integrated treatments for co-occurring disorders such as depression and substance abuse. Managing multiple conditions can be tricky, but this is our area of expertise at San Diego Detox. Depending on patient needs, clinicians may accomplish this through pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, or both.

Inpatient Rehab

Inpatient rehab for depression and addiction offers twenty-four-seven care for individuals with difficulty recovering independently. The initial stages of recovery can be challenging, especially during dual diagnosis treatment, so expert care is needed to avoid relapses and negative emotions associated with addiction and depression.

Outpatient Rehab

With outpatient rehab, individuals receive expert care for depression and co-occurring addiction disorders at San Diego Detox without the need to stay at our facility. In an outpatient program, people can continue work, attend school, and spend time with family while receiving treatment for alcohol and depression.

For more information on how to seek help for depression and addiction recovery for yourself or a loved one, please reach out to us at San Diego Detox.

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