Drug and alcohol addiction isn’t only about using harmful substances. For many users, getting high is just a symptom of much bigger problems. People who suffer from mental health disorders are at higher risk of substance abuse. In many cases, they try to self-medicate negative feelings away, but drugs and alcohol only make things worse. A depression treatment program can help you or a loved one put your life back on track. As part of an overall addiction treatment plan, it can benefit you as you work your way toward lasting recovery.
Depression Treatment Program and Addiction
What comes first: depression or addiction? It’s not easy to answer that question because either can occur first. However, when both are present, dual diagnosis treatment provides relief from symptoms of both disorders.
If you’re already depressed and you haven’t sought help from a depression treatment program, you may abuse drugs and alcohol to escape your sadness and pain. You’re not alone.
Millions of Americans suffer from depression, but very few seek help for it. Instead, they use various substances to make themselves feel better. This only masks their pain. They don’t face their underlying issues and deal with them. They only grow more dependent on using.
On the other hand, maybe you had no mental health issues to begin with, but you abused drugs and alcohol to get high. Over time, as you became unable to function without them, you started feeling depressed or anxious. These problems are common in people with addiction. The longer addiction goes on, the more it negatively impacts your mental health.
An individual therapy program can help you recognize these changes in your life. Together with a licensed therapist, you can discover the causes and triggers of depression and addiction. Knowing these, you can start learning healthy coping mechanisms and create a plan if symptoms occur.
Benefits of a Depression Treatment for Addiction Recovery
Depression isn’t a passing phase of feeling blue. It’s a recognized mental health condition that can affect all areas of your life, including your job and relationships. Depressed people lack motivation for many things such as getting up for work or being active.
A depression treatment program, particularly when part of addiction treatment, helps people improve their mental health. While antidepressants may be part of a treatment plan, there are other ways to reduce depression symptoms.
As a person feels stronger mentally, they’ll see that they don’t have to turn to substance abuse as a way to escape. When individuals feel stressed, they can exercise, meditate, write in a journal, listen to music, or talk to a friend. Individuals will learn helpful coping strategies that can be used for the rest of their lives. These techniques help manage emotions when faced with triggers as well as tough times.
In a depression treatment program, clients meet with therapists individually as well as in group and family therapy sessions. This is when deep-rooted issues often rise to the surface. Users realize what factors may have led them to make bad choices like substance abuse. They’ll also see those poor choices don’t make them bad people. They simply have to learn healthy ways to cope.
Make a Positive Change for Your Future — Today
All too often, people want to stop using and regain control. But they don’t have the tools or information that helps them make better decisions. At Sunstone Recovery in Bend, Oregon, we provide a nurturing environment in our addiction treatment center. We believe that a collaborative approach is the best way to help our clients heal and move toward a brighter future.
Our services for depression treatment include:
- Intensive outpatient program
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Family therapy
- Group counseling
- Trauma therapy
When addiction is present, the following substance abuse programs can accompany mental health treatment:
- Men’s and women’s rehab
- Holistic rehab program
- Alcohol addiction treatment
- Drug addiction treatment
Are you or a loved one struggling with drug and alcohol addiction? Healing and recovery are possible when you partner with compassionate professionals like us. Contact Sunstone Recovery today at 855.833.9199, and we’ll guide you to a life of sobriety and happiness.
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