Depression is one of the most common co-occurring mental disorders among people who enter rehab for substance abuse. In fact, studies have shown that almost one-third of people who are clinically depressed have abused drugs or alcohol as a form of self-medication to help them deal with their depression.
At Golden Peak Recovery, we understand the importance of treating your depression as part of your rehab program. A recovery plan that addresses both your addiction and your depression has a much greater chance of helping you achieve long-term sobriety.
Many people turn to drugs or alcohol to ease their depression, but research has shown that using these substances can actually make your depression worse – your negative thoughts could become more intense, and your bouts with depression may occur more frequently.
Our team at Golden Peak Recovery understands that this unhealthy cycle may have developed without you even realizing it. Perhaps you have never received a mood-disorder diagnosis or never thought you needed treatment. But once you know, dealing with it concurrently with your addiction is crucial.
It’s not unusual for you to feel sadness or grief after an unsettling event in your life. But normally, these feelings are temporary. Depression, however, can last for weeks or even months and have a negative impact on all areas of your life.
You meet the established criteria for clinical depression if you experience five or more symptoms almost every day for at least two weeks. Symptoms include:
Many of these symptoms can disrupt your life, causing problems at home, work, or school and interfering with your family and social life. You may lose motivation to do many of the things you once enjoyed, and the people around you may become affected by your depression. If you find yourself in this situation, don’t hesitate to reach out for help.
At Golden Peak Recovery, we specialize in treating depression and other mental health disorders concurrently with your addiction treatment. We use many approaches – group and individual therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and more – that may be incorporated into your recovery plan.
This dual-diagnosis treatment includes a program to address your substance abuse, coupled with therapy to help you identify and remove the triggers that are caused by your depression. Together, these treatments combine counseling, education, and peer support to help you beat your addiction and avoid relapse.
