Do you struggle with depression? Have you tried to ignore it, hoping it will go away? According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, having depression makes you twice as likely to have a drug or alcohol addiction compared to someone who does not have depression. When depressed, you may turn to drugs or alcohol to self-medicate. Once it wears off and the feelings of despair return, you may increase your drug or alcohol use—this is where addiction takes root.
It is possible to get out of the pit of depression, despair, and addiction. Recognize what depression looks like. Identify the common signs of drug and alcohol addiction. Then, seek a treatment plan that works.
If you are an alcoholic or know someone who is, it’s important to ask for help. But don’t stop there! Take it a step further by learning all you can about alcoholism. There are biological predispositions to alcohol and alcohol doesn’t affect everybody the same. This list will try to explain why it is so confusing to understand yourself or the person that you’re with if they’re an alcoholic.
Many of you may be striving for freedom from depression, anxiety or addictive behaviors this holiday season. The “most wonderful time of year” can be one of the lowest times of the year if you’re already struggling and susceptible to the usual holiday triggers. You can be impacted in ways you don’t even realize.