The Link Between Alcoholism and Depression: Exploring the Connection

Fighting your demons can push you to seek refuge in temporary pleasures, such as drowning your sorrows. Drinking alcohol to cope with difficulties is a way to escape from worldly problems. While some drink to celebrate, a larger portion of the population drinks to forget their problems and sorrows. Depression and alcohol addiction are widely separate issues, but they can often intersect and influence each other. Both problems are serious, complex, and multifaceted and demand careful rehabilitation and alcohol addiction treatment. Read on to find out how effective is depression treatment and how you can deal with both like a pro.

Research says that the connection between alcohol use disorders (AUD) and depression is a two-way street. You may need to understand both separately to figure out the link.

It is the perpetual feeling of being low, sad, and hopeless. It can be triggered by poor health conditions, emotional shocks, or habits like alcohol/drug/substance abuse. Symptoms of depression can range from mild to severe to something as grave as suicidal thoughts.

A person with alcohol use disorder (AUD) consumes alcohol compulsively despite the harmful effects. AUD is chronic, progressive, and possibly severe. It is recognized as a medical and psychiatric disease, and the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) is used to make the diagnosis.

While some turn to alcohol when they are depressed to momentarily relieve themselves of the pain, for others, the numbing effect of alcohol can chronically block emotions and thoughts, pushing them into depression. On the biological level, chronic alcohol consumption disturbs neurotransmitter (nerve hormones) balance in the brain, perhaps increasing or worsening depression issues.

Do you suspect alcoholism and depression in a loved one lately? Here are some things to look out for:

• Persistent irritation regarding anything and everything
• Withdrawing from social gatherings, friends, and family.
• Loss of concentration and focus at work
• Forgetfulness regarding family responsibilities
• Loss of appetite
• Insomnia
• Severe mood swings
• Cravings for alcohol
• Deteriorating health

If you are certain that you have observed the majority of these symptoms in an individual, please contact us as soon as possible to avoid health complications.

The first step to successful rehabilitation from alcoholism and depression is to eradicate the social stigma related to them, talk about it in the open, and approach a rehab facility for help. The typical treatment course involves the following steps:

Here's a concise treatment roadmap for your addiction recovery:

• Alcohol detox is a medically supervised process to cleanse the body of harmful substances and stabilize withdrawal symptoms.
• Personalized rehabilitation includes customized treatment programs developed by therapists and medical experts.
• TOne-on-one therapy sessions address mental health challenges, nurture self-awareness, and develop coping strategies.
• Guided recovery support, called the 12-Step facilitation therapy, based on the tenets of the well-known 12-step movement, helps promote self-discipline, self-awareness, and peer support, fostering a healing environment.
• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) involves the recognition and modification of detrimental thought patterns and behaviors.
• Family Therapy: Helps reconstruct relationships and establish a strong support network.
• Group Therapy: Allows you to connect with peers, gain insights, and enhance interpersonal skills.
• Self-Help Group: Recommends participation in ongoing community support post-treatment.

Adhering to these strategies is pivotal to your success. Don't delay; we're ready to connect with you today!

Jagruti's alcohol de-addiction and rehabilitation facility was the brainchild of the renowned psychiatrist Dr. Amar Shinde. With its first few setups in Pune, we now have centers all across the nation.

Jagruti rehab center recognizes the close relationship between addiction treatment, rehabilitation, and mental health. Our services include tailored mental wellness care for diseases such as schizophrenia, OCD, bipolar disorder, and depression. In dementia care, we offer comprehensive solutions for Alzheimer's, vascular disease, Lewy body detection, and other conditions, to improve quality of life discreetly and securely. We treat addiction like a physiological and mental disease, providing specialized therapies and involving family support to ensure long-term recovery.

Feel free to call us for a quick consultation today!