Facts About Depression and Alcohol

Approximately 25 million Americans seek treatment for depression each year. The most alarming thing about this number is that it has doubled in the past 15 years.

The majority of people who go to their doctor seeking treatment for depression wind up leaving with a prescription for some type of antidepressant. Instead of receiving a combination of treatments that includes medication and counseling, most patients are simply put on medications that frequently carry disturbing side effects.

Alcohol and Depression Do Not Mix

People who are depressed should not drink alcohol even in moderation. Why? Alcohol is a depressant that lowers serotonin and norepinephrine levels. Serotonin levels in the brain affect our mood, and norepinephrine helps to give the body energy during times of stress.

In a person who is already depressed, adding alcohol into the mix can be extremely dangerous. When alcohol is consumed, it depresses the effects of stress hormones, leaving people feeling even worse than they did before they started drinking. Studies have shown that even while people are drinking alcohol, they generally feel just as depressed as they did before they started drinking, and in many instances they feel even worse once the effects of the alcohol have worn off.

Researchers are not sure why depressed people so often turn to alcohol in their efforts to find relief from the overwhelming feelings of sadness and despair that they are experiencing.

Genes and Heredity

Stress can activate a gene that has been linked to depression, and alcohol can have the same effect. If a person is predisposed to depression, drinking alcohol can have devastating effects. Not only can alcohol cause depression to develop, it can also play a role in the development of anxiety disorders, manic episodes, seizures and a variety of other mental health problems.

If you know that mental health disorders of any kind run in your family, you should make a concerted effort to stay away from alcohol. In addition to possibly exacerbating mental health disorders such as depression, consuming alcohol can also lead to more serious consequences.

Among depressed people who drink alcohol, suicide rates are increased because the effects of the alcohol deepen depressed feelings and negatively impact a person’s ability to make rational decisions.

Finding Treatment for Alcoholism and Depression

Depression and alcoholism are two distinct problems that are best addressed simultaneously. If you suffer from depression and you drink alcohol, you need to stop. If you find that you are experiencing some difficulty trying to quit drinking, then you will need to determine the extent of your problem. Alcohol abusers drink excessively or regularly, but they don’t necessarily feel like they can’t live without alcohol. Alcoholics feel that they need a drink at certain times of the day or in certain social situations.

Whether you think that you might be abusing alcohol or have an addiction to alcohol, professional counseling services are your best bet for obtaining help. If a counselor or psychologist determines that you have an addiction to alcohol, they may recommend that you enroll in an alcoholism treatment program to help you overcome your addiction.

Treatment for depression involves a variety of different approaches. Counseling is an excellent resource for depressed individuals because having an objective person to talk to is an essential component in the treatment process. As a mental disorder, depression requires counseling and medication (in most cases) in order for treatment to be the most successful. Medication, however, can be a temporary course of treatment if patients are willing to make other changes in their lives that will aid in the process.

For example, making some basic lifestyle changes can go a long way toward treating depression. Some of the most beneficial changes include:

• Nutrition - eat a balanced diet to improve your physical and mental health.
• Reduce stress - make some positive changes to reduce the amount of stress you are under, as too much stress only makes depression symptoms worse.
• Exercise - if you exercise on a regular basis, chemical changes will take place in your body that will boost your mood and make you feel better mentally and physically.
• Get enough sleep – failing to get enough sleep each night has a negative impact on your mood, thus making your depression symptoms worse.
• Social support network - isolation is the enemy of depression. Try to get out there and connect with friends and family, join a class or volunteer.