Rehab For Depression and Addiction Treatment

How Are Addiction and Depression Related?

Addiction and depression can often occur at the same time, with each condition potentially exacerbating the other.[2] Depression can lead people to use substances as a form of self-medication to alleviate their emotional pain, creating a dependency on drugs or alcohol. Alternatively, substance use disorder can contribute to the development of depressive symptoms by altering brain chemistry, leading to mood disturbances and making it harder for individuals to feel pleasure or motivation without the substance.[3]

Both these conditions share common risk factors such as genetic predisposition, trauma, and stress.[4] These overlapping factors can make it challenging to determine which condition emerged first, creating a cycle that is difficult to break. Effective treatment often requires addressing both addiction and depression simultaneously through integrated therapeutic approaches that focus on the underlying causes and contributing factors of each condition.

What Are the Symptoms of Depression and Co-Occurring Issues?

Research demonstrates that depression is often exacerbated by co-occurring issues and can include the following symptoms:[5]

Depression Symptoms

• Persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or emptiness
• Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all activities
• Significant weight loss or gain or changes in appetite
• Insomnia or excessive sleeping
• Fatigue or lack of energy
• Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
• Difficulty concentrating, thinking, or making decisions
• Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

Symptoms of Co-Occurring Issues

• Increased tolerance to substances, leading to higher consumption
• Withdrawal symptoms when not using the substance
• Using substances to cope with depressive symptoms
• Neglecting responsibilities at home, work, or school due to substance use
• Continued substance use despite awareness of the problems it causes
• Increased isolation and withdrawal from social interactions
• Heightened anxiety or panic attacks related to both depression and substance use

Statistics About Depression and Substance Use Disorders

Depression and substance use disorder are significant public health issues that frequently occur together, compounding the challenges faced by individuals suffering from either condition. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), approximately half of those who experience a mental illness during their lives will also experience a substance use disorder and vice versa.[6] Specifically, people with mood disorders, such as depression or bipolar disorder, are about twice as likely to struggle with substance use compared to the general population.[7]

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports that in 2020, about 17 million adults in the United States had co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.[8] Furthermore, data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) indicates that 7.7 million adults in the U.S. had both a mental illness and a substance use disorder in 2018, with depression being one of the most common mental health conditions present alongside substance use disorder.[9]

The World Health Organization (WHO) highlights that depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, and when coupled with substance use disorder, the burden on both individuals and strained healthcare systems increases dramatically.[10]

Treatment for Depression and Dual Diagnosis at Wellbridge

Dual diagnosis treatment at our residential treatment center offers a comprehensive range of evidence-based treatments, behavioral health, and therapeutic modalities aimed at addressing both depression and addiction at the same time: