Author: Gary Jackson

How Are Depression and Substance Misuse Linked?

Chronic use of CNS depressants can also cause depressive symptoms, including problems concentrating and difficulty finding joy in typical activities. Research from 2020 shows that depression often occurs with substance use, particularly alcohol use disorder (AUD). Substance use disorder (SUD) is a chronic condition in which a person continues to use substances despite experiencing harmful consequences. People struggling with addiction usually deny they have a problem and hesitate to seek treatment.

Understanding Substance Use Disorder (SUD)

In residential treatments, people live at a facility for the duration of treatment. This is necessary to make positive changes during the treatment process. Research shows that using alcohol, opioids, and sometimes cannabis have links to depression. Substance withdrawal can also lead to depressive feelings, apathy, and suicidal thoughts. Also, intoxication and withdrawal symptoms can mimic symptoms like mania and depression.

What is substance use disorder?

Clinical trials are research studies that look at new ways to prevent, detect, or treat diseases and conditions. The goal of clinical trials is to determine if a new test or treatment works and is safe. Information about NIMH, research results, summaries of scientific meetings, and mental health resources. Download, read, and order free NIMH brochures and fact sheets about mental disorders and related topics.

An intervention presents a loved one with a structured opportunity to make changes before things get even worse and can motivate someone to seek or accept help. In Robin Williams’ case, we are again reminded of the strength of this foe. Treatment, therapy, and medication for depression can help most and save many. But sometimes, despite mighty efforts, there is no Hollywood ending. We can’t pretend to understand what goes on in another’s mind, but we do know that Williams struggled with addiction and depression throughout his life.

Health Conditions

Because my work involves helping those with addiction and depression, I’m often turned to for explanations in the wake of tragedies such as these. There are no easy answers, but there are things it helps to understand about the nature of addiction and depression, especially for those fighting the same battles. Information about resources such as data, tissue, model organisms and imaging resources to support the NIMH research community.

Symptoms

If you or a loved one is ready to get help with recovery, start the admissions process today or call one of our compassionate admissions navigators at . A person might say, “There’s no hope for me; I’m not worth it; I don’t deserve to feel better.” And then they slip deeper into that dark pit, and it’s even harder to get out of. Depression can feel overwhelming, particularly if you have been living with it for a long time. Research published in 2017 suggests non-substance addiction uses similar rewards mechanics in the brain.

Drug use can have significant and damaging short-term and long-term effects. Taking some drugs can be particularly risky, especially if you take high doses or combine them with other drugs or alcohol. Sometimes called the “opioid epidemic,” addiction to opioid prescription pain medicines has reached an alarming rate across the United States. Some people who’ve been using opioids over a long period of time may need physician-prescribed temporary or long-term drug substitution during treatment. Signs and symptoms of inhalant use vary, depending on the substance.

Other helpful options to aid your recovery and symptom management include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). It’s common for people who feel depressed to turn to alcohol and other substances. In many cases, when people receive treatment for one condition, the symptoms of the other condition improve, too. To diagnose SUD, a licensed health or mental health professional must identify a person as having one or more of the 11 criteria outlined by the DSM-5. Physical addiction appears to occur when repeated use of a drug changes the way your brain feels pleasure.

Help from your health care provider, family, friends, support groups or an organized treatment program can help you overcome your drug addiction and stay drug-free. For someone suffering from depression, it can be extremely tempting to want to relieve these feelings with drugs or alcohol. Ultimately, though, abusing substances to ease depression can cause even more harm to an individual’s life – from financial troubles to personal hardships. Alternately, people can suffer from a substance use disorder long before receiving a depression diagnosis. The “high” or “euphoria” that a person experiences from using certain substances is related to the release of neurotransmitters (serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine) in the brain.

How Do Co-Occurring Disorders Affect Treatment?

Some drugs, such as opioid painkillers, have a higher risk and cause addiction more quickly than others. The reality is, there is no simple cure for depression or for addiction. The best we have is treatment that can be lifesaving for many—but sadly, not for all. Explore key milestones, discoveries, and the impact of NIMH-funded studies on mental health. Learn about NIMH priority areas for research and funding that have the potential to improve mental health care over the short, medium, and long term. NIMH statistics pages include statistics on the prevalence, treatment, and costs of mental illness for the population of the United States.

1. A co-occurring addiction to alcohol or other substances may increase the severity of these symptoms.
2. Research from 2020 shows that depression often occurs with substance use, particularly alcohol use disorder (AUD).
3. For someone suffering from depression, it can be extremely tempting to want to relieve these feelings with drugs or alcohol.
4. Learn more about NIMH newsletters, public participation in grant reviews, research funding, clinical trials, the NIMH Gift Fund, and connecting with NIMH on social media.
5. Finding a medication that works best for an individual’s symptoms and has the least amount of side effects can take some time.

It also is essential that the provider tailor treatment, which may include behavioral therapies and medications, to an individual’s specific combination of disorders and symptoms. It should also take into account the person’s age, the misused substance, and the specific mental disorder(s). Talk to your health care provider to determine what treatment may be best for you and give the treatment time to work. Recent research focuses heavily on the increase in both mental health conditions and substance misuse due to factors related to the COVID-19 pandemic. While living with these conditions can be difficult, a doctor can recommend treatments including medication, therapy, or both. The symptoms of depression can drive some people toward substance use to cope with their condition.

Although evidence suggests a strong link between the two disorders, the cause-and-effect relationship is unclear. Substance misuse can result in addiction, which means a person is not able to stop a behavior or stop using a particular substance. Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health.