Depression often goes hand in hand with people battling substance abuse, such as alcohol, marijuana, or prescription drugs. Substance abuse often provokes or escalates feelings of sadness, loneliness, and hopelessness that are typically associated with depression.

Studies have shown one-third of young adults diagnosed with clinical depression also have an alcohol dependency. Additionally, some people develop symptoms of a mental illness, such as major depression, only after engaging in drug and alcohol use. Substances such as alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines, and cannabinoids are habit-forming because they trigger artificially high levels of neurotransmitter release in their brains, which leads to artificially inflated euphoria.

It is no secret that substance abuse and depression significantly impact people, families, communities, and societies. People suffering from depression may use addictive substances to adjust their frame of mind or attempt to escape from feelings of guilt or despair. But substances like alcohol, a depressant, can increase feelings of sadness or fatigue. In young adults, roughly 16.5 percent have an alcohol use disorder, and 18 percent have a drug use disorder. A portion of substance abuse is genetic, including the impact of one’s environment on gene expression, and is considered to be about 40% to 60% of a person’s risk of abuse. Environmental factors that could increase a person’s risk of addiction include a chaotic home environment or abuse, parental substance abuse, peer pressure, and poor academic achievement. Our loved ones struggling with mental health disorders are more at risk for substance abuse.

Substance abusers are at higher risk for developing mental health problems which include but are not limited to, depression, personality disorders, behavioral problems, suicidal ideation, attempted suicide, and self-harm. “Self-medicating” with recreational drugs and alcohol will only temporarily alleviate symptoms of depression because they affect the same regions of the brain as the disorders do. However, the overall outcome is that you feel even worse when not using.

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Wondering if someone is abusing a substance?

These are some common symptoms

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• Addicts could feel uneasy when the substances wear off with mild to severe withdrawal symptoms. These include: 

• shaking
• nausea 
• severe headaches
• fatigue
• loss of appetite 
• short-temper
• cravings 
• nervousness
• dizziness 
• anxiety 
• insomnia 
• depression

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• In more severe cases, confusion, seizures, a high fever, or even death. Often when our nearest and dearest abuse substances, they cannot stop, even if they want to. They will continuously use it although it is causing their lives to become worse, for example, trouble with friends, family, work, education, or the law. 

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• Not being able to commit to a daily schedule such as waking up on time for studies or work. Daily routines become challenging to complete (working, cooking, showering, etc.) Since depression already causes sadness, loss of interest in formerly pleasurable activities, and various physical and emotional problems like substance abuse does, these two combined are detrimental. This is why support from family and friends is so dire. 

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• Losing interest in hobbies and activities that once were a part of the addict's life.

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• Choosing to use instead of socializing normally. This leads to isolation and further depression.

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• Another indication of substance abuse could be spending their time thinking about the substance; how to get more, when they will take it, how good it will make them feel, or how bad they will feel afterward because they find that they are struggling to cut the substance out of their life. 

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According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 19.7 million American young adults (aged 12 and older) battled a substance use disorder. About 74% of adults with a substance use disorder struggle with an alcohol use disorder. About 38% of young adults battled an illicit drug use disorder. One out of every eight adults struggled with alcohol and drug use disorders simultaneously. In addition, 8.5 million American adults suffer from mental health disorders and substance use disorders or co-occurring disorders. Substance abuse costs American society more than $740 billion annually in lost workplace productivity, healthcare expenses, and crime-related costs.

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Spark to Recovery is highly experienced in supporting addicts on their journeys to recovery and understands that no one solution works for all. Your treatment should be as unique as you are, requiring a complex and multidimensional solution that is tailored to your specific needs, depending on the physical, social, familial, and environmental situation. By providing that tailored solution we provide the focused care and support that makes the difference, boosting the effectiveness of the program and giving the patient confidence in the process.

To accomplish this, our team takes the time to get to know you, so we can put in place the perfect solution for you. Our evidence-based, therapeutic methods are provided within a fully supportive environment, providing a holistic treatment program that fosters growth and healing for all.

Spark to Recovery Alcohol addiction treatment includes:

• Comprehensive patient evaluation and treatment planning
• Around-the-clock nursing supervision
• Medication management
• Individual and group therapy
• Care for co-occurring disorders
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical-behavioral therapy (DBT)
• Nutritious, nourishing meals
• Healing recreational amenities, including a pool, yoga, meditation, and sober outings
• Continuum of Care plan

Using this approach, Spark to Recovery can provide high-quality assistance for all kinds of alcohol addiction in Los Angeles. By developing tailored solutions, we provide the effective approach and successful outcome you deserve. Treatments typically consist of a combination of medications and therapies, including cognitive behavior therapy as well as group and family therapy.

We do not aim to simply stop you from drinking alcohol but to ensure that you create the state of mind that makes it unlikely you will relapse. Our programs will help you learn how to manage negative thoughts, avoid destructive behavior and develop healthy coping mechanisms to prevent relapse.

At Spark to Recovery, our treatment programs are specifically tailored to the client's addiction and needs. We recognize a dual-diagnosis case for what it is and support the development of healthier behavior and way of thinking. We instill habits, routines, and behaviors conducive to a healthy recovery. Spark to Recovery takes a holistic treatment approach to rehabilitation and recovery. We offer the best chance at recovery with our exclusive and clinically proven treatment methods. Check out our residential treatment program here on our residential treatment page or speak to a specialist now.