Addiction and mental illness often go hand in hand. When someone suffers from an untreated mental health condition, they are more likely to begin abusing drugs and alcohol to cope with their symptoms. If you have an addiction and a mental health disorder at the same time, this is referred to as co-occurring disorders.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 21.5 million Americans struggle with co-occurring disorders.[1]
While any mental health condition can co-occur with addiction, one of the most common is a mood disorder known as depression. Depression causes you to experience low mood, poor motivation, feelings of hopelessness, isolation, and more. The symptoms of depression might cause you to begin abusing substances to cope, leading to the development of addiction.
When you have depression and addiction, you need a behavioral health program that treats both conditions at the same time. Thankfully, these programs exist, offering substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and mental health services simultaneously. In Oakland Park, Florida, Agape Behavioral Healthcare offers evidence-based treatments for depression and addiction to help you achieve long-term recovery and improve your quality of life.
In this article, you will learn:
- What is the relationship between addiction and depression?
- Why do co-occurring disorders need to be treated simultaneously?
- How does treatment for addiction and depression work in Oakland Park?
How Are Depression and Addiction Connected?
Major depression is a chronic mental health condition that causes symptoms like feelings of hopelessness, despair, low motivation, isolation from friends and family, and more. It can impact your ability to function in your daily life, furthering feelings of guilt and shame. If you struggle with depression, you might find yourself looking for quick ways to feel better.
When you abuse drugs or alcohol, you might notice that your symptoms of depression temporarily go away. As a result, you will likely begin abusing substances regularly, eventually developing an addiction.
Co-occurring depression and addiction occur among youth and adults. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), “4.5 million youth (ages 12 to 17) had a major depressive episode in the past year, of which nearly 1 in 5 also had a substance use disorder.”[2]
Even further, 24.3% of men with an alcohol use disorder (AUD) struggle with depression, while 48.5% of women with AUD have depression.[3]
How Does Treatment for Depression and Addiction in Oakland Park Work?
If you or a loved one struggles with addiction and depression, it’s time to get professional help. Treatment involves:
In-Depth Assessment
The first step in a depression and addiction rehab center is an assessment. Medical professionals will ask you questions about your physical and mental health as well as your history of substance abuse. The information gathered will create an individualized treatment plan based solely on your needs.
Medical Detox
Once your treatment plan is created, you will begin medical detox. When you are addicted to a substance, your brain and body become dependent on it. As a result, suddenly stopping the use of drugs or alcohol will lead to withdrawal symptoms.
The severity of your symptoms depends on personal factors like what substance you used, how often you consumed it, how long you’ve been addicted to it, and more. During detox, medical professionals will provide you with FDA-approved medications to lessen your symptoms and cravings. In other words, medical detox keeps you stable and comfortable during the withdrawal phase of recovery.
Agape Behavioral Accepts Private Insurance Plans 
Evidence-Based Therapies
Individual therapy and group counseling are used to address both addiction and depression. For addiction, therapy helps you uncover the root causes of addiction, develop healthy coping mechanisms, and identify potential triggers for relapse. Therapy helps depression by teaching you emotional regulation skills, unpacking the root causes of your depression, and providing you with better ways to cope with your symptoms.
During your treatment program, you will participate in a variety of different therapeutic interventions that are clinically proven effective in managing addiction and depression. The most commonly used therapies include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).
Medication Management
In addition to therapy, sometimes depression requires daily medication to manage your symptoms effectively. Because you are also recovering from addiction, any medication you are given will be non-habit-forming. Depression medication can improve your overall mood and increase motivation levels by affecting serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine in your brain.
Relapse Prevention and Aftercare
Effective addiction treatment involves relapse prevention planning. This process involves identifying potential triggers for relapse and developing healthy coping mechanisms to ensure you maintain long-term recovery.
A vital part of relapse prevention is an aftercare program. Common types of aftercare services offered by addiction and depression treatment centers in Oakland Park include:
- Continued therapy
- Medication management
- Access to an alumni support group
- Referrals to outpatient and sober living programs
- Recommendations on local support groups like 12-step meetings
- Case management services like vocational training and other life skills
Get Connected to a Depression and Addiction Rehab Center in Oakland Park
If you or a loved one suffers from comorbid depression and addiction, it’s time to seek professional help. Dual diagnosis rehab centers like Agape Behavioral Healthcare can provide you with the tools and support you need to make a full recovery.
Since 2016, our mission has remained the same: to be a guiding light on the path to recovery and wellness for those struggling with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders.
We provide the most advanced facilities available so that our patients have access to the best possible chance of achieving long-term recovery. Our drug rehab program in Florida has been carefully crafted by our world-class team of addiction specialists so that individuals have all the resources they need to make significant progress in their journey toward healing.
Contact us today for more information on our depression and addiction rehab program in Oakland Park, Florida.
References:
- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Co-Occurring Disorders and Other Health Conditions
- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): SAMHSA Releases Annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health
- JSAT Journal: Meta-analysis of depression and substance use among individuals with alcohol use disorders
