According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, people with mood or anxiety disorders are nearly twice as likely to become addicted to drugs or alcohol.
For people experiencing feelings of hopelessness, heroin can feel like a way out, offering a profound sense of relaxation. The problem—in addition to the risk of overdose—is that 23 percent of people who use the drug become addicted.
Once that happens, depressive symptoms worsen. Now, you’re dealing with depression and heroin addiction—both risk factors for suicide and other health issues.
The good news is that, with the right treatment, both depression and substance use disorders, including heroin addiction, can be treated. The key is to find the right treatment program and get the help you need sooner.
Continue reading to learn more about the tie between heroin dependency and depressive disorder, including the most effective ways to treat a dual diagnosis.
The Long-Term Effects of Heroin and Depression
If your loved one uses heroin, that’s dangerous in many ways. But if they also suffer from depression, heroin may cause an even faster downward spiral. That’s because when the effects of heroin wear off, a person is likely to feel even worse than before.
Heroin, a highly addictive opioid, is known for its immediate, intense euphoric effects. It can temporarily relieve emotional pain and suffering, which is why it may seem appealing to individuals battling depression. But this relief is fleeting and comes at a steep cost. When the effects of heroin wear off, the individual often experiences a profound crash, intensifying the despair and hopelessness that are hallmarks of depression.
In fact, when combined, heroin addiction and depression lead to a significant risk of suicide. The rate of death by suicide among heroin users is as high as 35 percent, according to the Society for the Study of Addiction.
This staggering figure highlights the lethal synergy between heroin addiction and depression. Individuals caught in this cycle often feel trapped, seeing no way out of their suffering, and may resort to self-harm as an escape.
It’s essential to understand that recovery from heroin addiction and depression is possible, and seeking professional help is critical.
Treatment that addresses both conditions simultaneously, known as dual diagnosis treatment, can offer individuals a chance to break free from this devastating cycle.
With the right support, therapy, and a comprehensive treatment plan, individuals can regain control of their lives and find hope on the path to recovery from addiction and depression.
The Solution: Dual Diagnosis Depression and Addiction Treatment
If your loved one suffers from both depression and addiction, then both conditions must be treated simultaneously, whether depression leads to addiction or vice versa.
Research shows that most people who abuse drugs live with at least one mental illness. But they may have never been officially diagnosed, and by the time they’re experiencing full-blown addiction, it can be challenging to tell exactly what’s going on.
Historically, treatment programs were designed to treat just the addiction. That means patients left those rehab centers still feeling hopeless. It’s easy to see why so many people in that situation relapse quickly.
Dual diagnosis treatment, which concurrently addresses depression and addiction, delivers a range of significant advantages to individuals grappling with these co-occurring conditions.
The dual treatment approach provides a holistic framework for recovery, recognizing the interplay between emotional and substance abuse aspects. One of its key benefits is the creation of personalized treatment plans tailored to the individual’s unique needs and goals, ensuring a more targeted and effective intervention.
Dual diagnosis programs feature teams of specialized professionals versed in both addiction and mental health, offering the precise care and therapies needed for these complex conditions.
Simultaneous treatment of depression and addiction can expedite the healing process by concurrently addressing the root causes and symptoms of both conditions. This approach is particularly efficient as it helps individuals identify underlying issues contributing to their struggles, such as past trauma, family history, or unresolved emotional concerns.
The emphasis on relapse prevention is equally crucial, equipping individuals with the necessary coping strategies to safeguard against setbacks in their mental health and sobriety.
By effectively managing depression and addiction, individuals can enjoy an improved quality of life, including enhanced emotional well-being, healthier relationships, and the ability to pursue personal and professional goals.
Dual diagnosis treatment aims to facilitate long-term recovery, equipping individuals with the tools and knowledge to independently manage their conditions and lead fulfilling, substance-free lives.
Effective Dual Diagnosis Treatment for Long-Term Recovery
Your health and wellness matter to us.
It takes hard work—and expert help—to recover from a heroin addiction, but we see it happen every day.
We see despair slowly chipped away by hope. We see a spark as someone realizes, for the first time in a very long time, that they can be happy without heroin. The key? Treating both the addiction and any co-occurring conditions that may exist.
Are you ready to start your road to recovery from heroin addiction and depression? Contact us today to learn more.
