Dealing with Depression after Detox

14 millio
Americans are affected each year by depression after detox, according to studies conducted by The National Institute of Mental Health. The result is that 7 percent of the population struggle with depression and substance abuse recovery. Unfortunately, the NIMH results were unclear as to which came first the depression, or was it a result of drug and alcohol abuse.

Side Effect and Withdrawal Symptom

Substance abuse detox and recovery can be challenging enough without the complication that depression can have on the person trying to recover from drugs and alcohol abuse. As an added complication, alcohol as well as certain types of drugs includes depression as a side effect and many include it as a withdrawal symptom as well.

Feeling depressed can have a detrimental and sometimes devastating effect on an individual’s life both psychologically and physically.

Indications of psychological depression often times include:
• Feelings of hopelessness
• Irritability and anxiety
• Extreme sadness
• Suicidal tendencies

Indications of feeling physical depressed may also include the following symptoms:
• Fatigue
• Insomnia or increased sleeping
• Overeating or loss of appetite
• Headaches
• Abdominal pai

Determining if a Dual Diagnosis is Appropriate

Most doctors agree that depression should be treated after the individual has completed detox and the recovery program to determine if it a result of substance abuse or the result of some deeper issues. There are some programs that issue a comorbidity or dual diagnosis treatment plan that includes treating the symptoms in addition to alcohol and drug recovery.

According to physicians who argue against this practice, treating an individual for depression and prescribing medication, especially in a person with a strong potential for addiction; could create a new dependency for the individual to eventually have to overcome.

Medical Detox

The best method for detox is medical detox. A medical detox is issued under the supervision of a physician and allows the use of certain types of medication to help control the withdrawal symptoms and keeps the patient comfortable and able to complete the detox process. Studies show that patients who are not able to complete the detoxification are more likely to return to substance abuse than patients who are successful.

After the Detox

After you have completed a detox and rehab program, if you still have depression, it is important that you visit your doctor and discuss your options for dealing it after detox. If medication is not an option, there are various programs including educational and holistic programs that may offer a natural alte
ative to dealing with depression after detox and substance abuse recovery.

Holistic approaches to dealing with depression may include Eastern remedies such as vitamin and meditation therapy as well as yoga and acupuncture. Educational and other alte
ative programs offer cognitive behavioral therapy, which teach individuals how to move past their circumstances and situations and to overcome their substance abuse by applying self change techniques to their life and developing behaviors and habits that are more positive and making productive choices that are more enriching and enhancing to their life.