Co-occurring mental health disorders and drug abuse are quite common and develop for various reasons. According to the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 35% of individuals 18 and older have a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder. Some of the most common mental health disorders that co-occur with substance use disorders include depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Additionally, teenagers with substance use disorders have a higher occurrence of co-occurring mental health disorders as they become young adults.
Understanding the Link Between Depression and Drug Abuse
To understand the link between depression and drug abuse, it is vital to know that their connection is bi-directional. This means that people with untreated depression can develop substance use disorder, and people with a substance use disorder can develop depression.
In cases where depression comes first and the drug abuse later, what commonly occurs is the individual is self-medicating using alcohol or drugs to bring temporary relief from their depressive symptoms.
Conversely, when drug abuse occurs first, the substance being used can alter one’s brain chemistry and force the release of serotonin and dopamine, which creates euphoric and pleasurable effects. However, as the levels of these endorphins are depleted, the overall effects of the substance are diminished and can lead to depressive symptoms.
Some other ways in which these two are linked include:
- Sleep disturbances: Both depression and drug abuse can cause sleep disturbances, making it difficult to get sufficient restful sleep. A lack of sleep can trigger depressive symptoms when drugs are being abused and worsen depression when symptoms already exist.
- Trauma: Unresolved trauma can lead to both substance abuse and depression. Some people might turn to substance to cope with their trauma, while others become depressed first.
- Family history: When there is a family history of mental health conditions and substance use disorders, this increases the likelihood of developing co-occurring conditions.
Impact of Drug Abuse on Depression
The impact of drug abuse on depression can worsen both conditions as follows:
- Only provides temporary symptom relief: Using drugs as a coping mechanism to self-treat depression only offers short-term, temporary relief of symptoms. It does not address the underlying condition, nor is it effective as a long-term solution.
- Tolerance: The more frequently drugs are used to self-medicate depression, the body builds a tolerance to their effects. This will require using larger dosages to achieve the desired effects. Eventually, even at higher dosages, the effects will diminish, and depressive symptoms will worsen.
- Drug dependence and addiction: With the changes caused by drug abuse, the body will become reliant on the substance just to function normally. Discontinuing or cutting back on drug use will result in unpleasant withdrawal symptoms that can further worsen depressive symptoms.
- Increases the risk of self-harm and suicide: When drugs are no longer providing temporary symptom relief, people can start to contemplate self-harming behaviors and suicide just to make their pain and suffering end.
Treatment Options for Depression When Drug Abuse Is Involved
Treatment options for co-occurring depression and drug abuse include comprehensive treatment programs that provide different levels of care based on the individual’s needs, including:
- Inpatient programs: Inpatient treatment is recommended for individuals with severe dual-diagnosis conditions and those who could potentially harm themselves or others. They provide intensive care with 24/7 supervision.
- Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs): IOPs offer a step-down level of care from inpatient programs. They provide the same intensive treatment and offer the flexibility to return home in the evenings and manage personal commitments, such as family, work, or school. Sessions are generally held for three to four hours five times weekly at the treatment facility.
- Outpatient programs (OPs) are the next lower level of care below IOPs. They provide continuing care, support, therapy, and treatment for as long as necessary.
- Aftercare and alumni programs: Aftercare and alumni programs provide continued support whenever individuals need to avoid slipping back into old, destructive, and negative habits.
Each level of care provides access to a range of evidence-based and holistic therapeutic modalities, such as:
Treatment plans should be personalized to provide dual-diagnosis treatment to treat both depression and drug abuse. If both conditions are not treated simultaneously, there is a high probability the individual will relapse.
Managing Depression Symptoms Without Drugs
There are several effective ways to manage depression symptoms without using drugs, including:
- TMS Therapy: TMS therapy is a non-evasive treatment option that uses magnetic pulses directed at specific brain regions responsible for depressive symptoms. By treating these areas, the pulses can help increase brain activity, improve mood, and alleviate symptoms.
- Support groups: Participating in support groups can help individuals continue to develop effective and positive coping skills and learn from others what works for them.
- Exercise: Regular exercise releases natural endorphins responsible for mood regulation and can reduce depressive symptoms.
- Yoga: Yoga is a good form of exercise and also helps people learn breathing exercises and meditation to heal the mind, body, and spirit.
- Music therapy: Music therapy can help people control their emotions and behaviors, help ease depressive symptoms, build positive coping skills, and reduce stress and anxiety.
- Art therapy: Art therapy helps individuals identify repressed feelings, increase self-esteem, provide an outlet for positive emotional release of depressive symptoms, and relieve stress.
Resources and Support for Depression and Drug Abuse
There are many resources and support options for people struggling with depression and drug abuse:
- SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4577 (HELP)
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Text or call 988 or chat online at 988lfeline.org
- Anonymous Crisis Counseling: Text “HOME” to 741741 for free, professional crisis counseling 24/7
In addition to these national services, people can find resources and support through mental health and addiction treatment centers. There may also be different state and community programs depending on where you live.
Begin Depression and Dual Diagnosis Treatment in California and Arizona Today
If you are suffering from depressive symptoms, you do not have to turn to drug abuse and risk addiction. Comprehensive depression treatment is available at Montare Behavioral Health in California and Arizona. Our caring and compassionate team provides personalized care to help you effectively manage your depressive symptoms using positive coping skills and techniques.
We can also help individuals with dual-diagnosis conditions. Contact us today for further information or to start the admissions process.
Published: 3/27/2025
