Depression can often go hand in hand with drug use. Let’s take a look at this unfortunate link between drugs and depression.
Many people resort to drugs and alcohol as a way to escape or as a coping mechanism to deal with difficult situation occurring in their lives. However, many of these people may have underlying depression.
In fact, use of drugs and depression can co-occur together, with one the symptom of the other. Depression can trigger one to use substances, or substance use can cause mood changes as well as complicate already difficult situations.
Let’s take a look at these scenarios where drugs and depression are linked.
Drugs and Depression
- Individuals suffering from symptoms of depression can take drugs as a way to find relief.
- Depressive symptoms may develop as a result of taking drugs or as part of withdrawal symptoms.
- People may take drugs to escape from a stressful situation.
- Frequent and heavy drug use can lead to many problems which may also trigger depression.
- People who are depressed may resort to drugs to end their lives or just as a way of acting out.
- Other mental disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder can also exhibit depressive symptoms.
But drugs make you feel good…
There are chemicals in the brain that affect the way we feel, and these chemicals are altered by depression. This same region that produces and regulates these chemicals are also affected by these drugs.
Let’s take a look at these brain chemicals:
- Dopamine is affected by cocaine, amphetamines, and ecstasy
- Serotonin is affected by ecstasy and LSD
- Noradrenaline is affected by amphetamines and opiates
How to treat drugs and depression
Treatment of co-occurring disorders such as drug addiction and depression requires that you attend to both conditions. Treatment specialists have to sort out the role that drugs play in the depression, and the other way around.
The bottom line is, one of the best ways to start is to try to help the person get sober.
If you or someone you know has a drug problem and is battling with depression, seek help from a psychologist or psychiatrist. At Bridges of Hope, we also have a psychologist as well as rehab professionals that can assess your condition so you can figure out what treatment options are adequate for you.
Call or text us at 09175098826 (Manila) or 09177046659 (Cebu).
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