Photo by Canva
Posts may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases and collect a small commission at no cost to you. This helps my blog to keep going. Thank you! For more info, read my disclosure policy.
How addiction and depression are intertwined
Addiction and depression are intertwined. Depression can happen to anyone.
Suddenly you can feel down and without hope, and depression sets in, and as an addict, you turn to drugs or alcohol to cope. You can also be in denial!
Your addiction has become this vicious circle of using, coming down, feeling depressed, and starting over again. Getting back to the hope of becoming clean and sober becomes a distant thought.
Many avoid emotions such as sadness, which is useful in pushing you out of your comfort zone to where you can feel better. Some people are not equipped to deal with sadness, and that is how addiction can begin.
Those who are depressed and use alcohol or drugs as a coping mechanism are more likely to commit suicide. Addicts do not realize they are also dealing with depression, and so the addiction completely consumes their lives.
Some psychotherapists believe their depression is the result of excessive loss or stress. There could be a change in the brain, brought on by drugs and other negative factors.
Coping strategies
A coping strategy is often recommended to help them be able to move forward. They rewrite their story with a positive outcome, so they see opportunity and growth ahead!
- Stay connected with people so you have a support system.
- Do physical activity and exercise.
- Take care of yourself by getting lots of sleep and eating right.
- Expose yourself to entertainment that is funny, such as a movie or be around people that make you laugh.
In my previous posts, you saw my older son’s journey with addiction, and how he has been on this roller coaster ride to recovery for years.
He has fought depression after years of addiction and has suicidal tendencies so he was finally admitted to an evaluation hospital. After being evaluated he was prescribed several different medications to regulate his depression and moods, so now he seems like a different person.
They did make adjustments to get the right combination of pills and now he has a therapist and a sponsor to help him stay on the right track. I just hope and pray he can find the strength to continue on his new road to recovery!
“You Don’t Get Over An Addiction By Stopping Using. You Recover By Creating A New Life Where It’s Easier To Not Use. If You Don’t Create A New Life, Then All The Factors That Brought You To Your Addiction Will Catch Up With You Again.“
In closing
So many people on the streets are mentally ill and go through depression and anxiety! It is so sad, and due to a lack of funds many may come from mental hospitals that closed down, and they had nowhere to go, or they become homeless due to addiction!
I am not a medical professional or giving advice. Be sure to see a doctor or medical professional to get the help and assistance you might need.
1 in 5 U.S. adults experiences mental illness each year, according to NAMI. That is why we all need to make people aware.
Here is SAMHSA’s National Helpline which is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
If you found this post helpful and found it to be informative, please share it with family and friends, and on social media. Leave a comment, by going to the comment section below.
Here are some other posts you might find useful:
How Addiction Affects Lives Of Everyone Affiliated With An Addict, Part 1
How Addiction Affects Lives Of Everyone Affiliated With The Addict, Part 2
My Son’s Final Journey To Recovery
Below are some informative books on alcoholism and depression.
Posts may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases and collect a small commission at no cost to you. This helps my blog to keep going. Thank you! For more info, read my disclosure policy.
I know this because I was curious and trying to get answer why my father or addicts used drugs! I’m glad you’re able to help your son. Were just lucky my father is still alive. But his family never did helped him much.
We separated and have to escaped from him. Glad now that his old we’re able to communicate better and praying he has a longer life so we can spend more time with him.
Thank you for your comment April, I appreciate it! Sorry to hear about your dad, it is a very sad and consuming disease! I am glad you are able to communicate, I will pray for him too!
really great strategies
Thank you Jimmy for your comment!
These are great ideas. I’m sure people who struggle with addiction are having an even harder time right now. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Adriane, for your comment! Yes, I have been reading where addiction and mental health problems have increased with the pandemic.
I’ve known a few people with addiction issues but I know far more people with depression! It’s more common than people realize and the majority don’t seek the help they need, either for financial reasons or because they are in denial and are often told to ‘get over it’ by insensitive family members. But it’s not always that easy and, like any illness, we as a society need to take mental health concerns more seriously.