People battling addiction are more than twice as likely to suffer from mood and anxiety disorders, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
If you’re suffering from depression and addiction, sobriety oftentimes isn’t enough. You’d still feel hopeless, sad and lethargic. The risk of relapse would be huge.
And then there’s this to consider: Many people suffering from depression don’t even realize it. Sure, they know they don’t feel great, but they don’t recognize their frame of mind as actual depression.
All this points to one conclusion: In order to effectively treat addiction, depression must be screened and treated at the same time. This is called dual-diagnosis treatment and it’s offered at all quality, credible rehabs.
Treating Addiction and Depression
It doesn’t matter if addiction or depression came first – both will be treated at the same time during rehab.
Some 7.9 million people in the U.S. experience both a mental disorder and substance use disorder, according to a survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
To find them, it’s necessary to screen residents as they come into rehab. There is criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to help professionals identify co-occurring disorders.
After that, therapy and medication will be used to treat the depression, while the addiction is simultaneously treated.
The end goal, after all, isn’t just to live a sober life. It’s to live a fulfilling and rewarding life that’s free from the burdens of both addiction and depression.
Depression and Addiction Recovery at The Raleigh House
At The Raleigh House, we know that addiction isn’t just a physical problem. In fact, that’s almost the easy part. The hard part is finding out why you started drinking or using in the first place. At the Raleigh House, we give you the coping tools you need to survive and thrive without crutches. When you walk through our doors in Denver, you’ll be assigned your own master’s level trained therapist. Together, you’ll develop a strategy to manage and enjoy life without drugs or alcohol. Fill out our form or contact us today to learn more about our 90-day drug and alcohol addiction treatment programs.
