According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, about a third of people struggling with alcohol abuse also deal with a mental illness. This makes alcohol addiction more challenging to address. But as specialists, we know that you can’t treat one without addressing the other, which is why dual diagnosis is our key approach when handling alcohol and depression.
So, does drinking cause depression? Or does alcohol worsen depression? In this post, we’ll discuss the role of alcohol in depression and why dual diagnosis is a crucial aspect of the treatment process. We’ll also explain how alcoholism can branch out into different mental health conditions if not addressed early on.
Keep reading to learn more about this topic so you can provide the right help for yourself or a loved one.
The relation between depression and alcohol
Depression or depressive disorder is a common mental disorder affecting about 5% of adults worldwide. It can also range from mild to moderate to severe – all of which can be treated with the right approach.
Individuals suffering from depression suffer from mood fluctuations. They tend to lose interest in the things they used to love doing, and they have feelings of self-guilt or low self-worth. As depression becomes worse, a person may start to have suicidal thoughts or attempt self-harm.
On the other hand, alcoholism or alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a medical condition where a person is unable to stop or control their alcohol use. This is despite being fully aware of the consequences of their actions, which is why AUD is considered a brain disorder.
So, the biggest question now is this: Does alcohol affect depression? Does alcohol cause depression?
According to studies, both these conditions have a direct cause-and-effect association with each other. This means that alcohol-induced mood disorder can lead to depression, and depression itself can cause someone to spiral into alcoholism.
Also, experts found that alcohol is depressive, which means it can make the symptoms of depression worse. It can also get in the way of a person’s recovery from the mental illness, especially heavy drinkers.
But how long does alcohol-induced depression last? In general, alcohol-induced depression often lasts for 3 to 4 weeks, but it can develop into independent depression if the person keeps on drinking or abusing substances.
If you or someone you know are struggling with the same conditions, our alcohol rehab is ready to help. Feel free to call us if you’re ready to seek help or if you’re still looking for answers.
Other mental health conditions that can stem from alcohol abuse
Aside from the proof that alcohol causes depression, the same substance can also trigger other mental health illnesses. Here are some of these co-occurring conditions that we can also address in our inpatient rehab in Los Angeles:
- Alcohol-induced mood disorder. Mood disorders are common co-occurring conditions with AUD. This includes depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, which have a strong cause-and-effect relationship with alcoholism.
- Anxiety disorders. Depression after alcohol isn’t always the immediate result of AUD. It can start as an anxiety disorder, which is something that 20% to 40% of people with AUD also suffer from.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). About 15% to 30% of people with alcohol use disorder suffer from PTSD, more than half of which are among military personnel. Also, alcoholism and PTSD can worsen each other, which creates a vicious cycle of addiction and mental health illness.
- Alcohol psychosis. Severe depression after drinking isn’t the only extreme condition you have to be wary about. Another disorder called alcohol psychosis can trigger delusions, paranoia, and hallucinations even when the person isn’t drinking. This requires medical intervention to prevent it from spiraling into a more serious mental health illness.
- Other substance use disorders. Alcohol can also be a gateway substance toward other substance use disorders. Experts found that about 40% of men and 47% of women with alcoholism have suffered from another form of SUD in their lifetime.
Regardless of whether you have any co-occurring conditions with AUD or not, you’re always welcome to our inpatient rehab center. In our facility, we’ll help you achieve sobriety and long-term recovery.
How dual diagnosis works for alcohol-induced depressive disorder
Dual diagnosis is part of our holistic approach to alcohol use disorder (AUD) and its co-occurring conditions at LA Wellness Home. This is regardless of which one causes the other.
Still, just because someone is suffering from AUD doesn’t mean he’s bound to have a co-existing condition. It’s just that the person is more vulnerable to various mental health illnesses if his drinking problem is left untreated.
During our dual diagnosis, you or your loved one will undergo a professional and intensive diagnosis. Based on the findings, we will create a personalized treatment plan that meets your unique needs. We do this because we believe that our clients can only break free from substance use disorders if we tackle it right to the root of the problem.
Our approach to dual diagnosis for AUD & co-occurring conditions
If you or your loved one has been diagnosed with a mental illness together with AUD, he will undergo these three major phases of treatment:
1. Medical detoxification
During our medical detox program, we’ll help you cleanse from alcohol while managing cravings and withdrawal symptoms. With us, you’ll have a team of licensed specialists who will provide 24/7 medical supervision throughout your detox process.
Take note that DIY or at-home detox from severe alcohol use can be life-threatening. You might suffer from delirium tremens or DT, which can be lethal without the right medications.
2. Inpatient rehab
After successfully finishing a medical detox, you’ll undergo a series of therapy sessions, counseling, group therapy, and relapse prevention inside our Los Angeles rehab center.
Our goal is to teach you healthy coping mechanisms so you can maintain a sober life once you leave our facility. At the same time, this is also the phase where we address your co-occurring conditions to ensure that you’re recovering from the inside and out.
3. Outpatient rehab
The next phase of treatment for AUD and its co-existing conditions is outpatient rehab. For this, we can refer you to our outpatient facility, where you can receive ongoing mental health and sobriety support as you return to your outside life.
Depending on your needs, our outpatient programs are available on different levels. In general, we advise our clients to enter our Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) after leaving our inpatient facility and then slowly transition to an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and the least restrictive Outpatient Program (OP).
Alcohol and depression are not a life sentence. We're here to help.
If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol use disorder and depression, LA Wellness Home is here to help. We are an inpatient addiction treatment center where you can receive the best care in a luxurious facility and under the supervision of licensed medical professionals.
With us, you’ll have a support team of medical doctors, registered nurses, RADTs, LMFTs, counselors, group facilitators, and more. We also provide transportation assistance, so you can enroll in our facility wherever you are in the United States.
If you’re ready to beat depression and alcoholism, or you’re looking for answers, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at LA Wellness Home. Simply call our 24/7 helpline, and our specialist will be there to assist you.
