According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “7.7 million adults have co-occurring mental and substance use disorders.”[1] Co-occurring disorders are described as having a substance use disorder along with one or more mental health conditions. One of the most common mental illnesses to co-occur with addiction is depression.
Depression is a mental health condition that negatively affects how you think, feel, and act. If you suffer from depression, you probably experience feelings of sadness and a loss of interest in activities that you previously enjoyed. Dealing with this condition while you are attempting to recover from a substance use disorder can be extremely difficult.
Dual diagnosis addiction treatment centers offer comprehensive treatment that can help you cope with depression while you recover from the disease of addiction.
5 Ways a Dual Diagnosis Rehab Can Help You Overcome Depression in Recovery
Dual diagnosis rehab centers combine traditional addiction treatment methods with evidence-based mental health recovery practices. Here are 5 ways an addiction treatment center can help you cope with depression in recovery.
1. Individual Therapy
Individual therapy is one of the most important tools used in the treatment of depression. Oftentimes, when you struggle with depression you keep a lot of emotions and feelings bottled up. During individual therapy, you have a chance to open up to a professional about the things you are struggling with in a private, supportive setting.
One of the most common types of therapy used to treat moderate to severe depression is known as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This therapeutic method allows you to recognize distorted or negative thinking patterns and teaches you how to change your thoughts and behaviors to respond to situations more healthily.
2. Group Counseling
Another way that a dual diagnosis treatment center can help you cope with depression is through group counseling. Counseling groups are facilitated by a licensed psychologist or therapist and include about 5 to 15 patients.
During group therapy sessions, you and your peers will respond to group discussion topics surrounding your depression. These topics allow you to open up about your experience with depression and how it has affected you while hearing your peer’s responses so you gain insight into how others have begun to recover from depression and learn new methods of coping from your fellow patients.
Group counseling can also help lessen any symptoms of loneliness or isolation caused by your depression. As you interact with your peers, you begin to feel a sense of camaraderie as you find similarities in your stories. Group counseling can also teach you how to have mutually beneficial relationships with others, as you begin to connect with and support the people around you.
3. Medication
While medication is not necessary for everyone, some people benefit from being on an antidepressant while they are in the early recovery stages from depression. Antidepressant medication can provide you with short-term symptom relief while you learn how to manage your depression in therapy and group counseling. Antidepressants are non-habit forming so they will not cause any problems in your recovery from addiction.
Common medications used to treat depression include:
- Fluoxetine (Prozac)
- Paroxetine (Paxil)
- Sertraline (Zoloft)
- Citalopram (Celexa)
- Escitalopram (Lexapro)
- Bupropion (Wellbutrin)
- Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
- Venlafaxine (Effexor)
4. Safe, Supportive Environment
When you are in a residential dual diagnosis program, you will be constantly surrounded by people working to better themselves. As you progress in the program, you will make connections with other patients based on the common goal of recovery and overall happiness in life. Being fully immersed in such a supportive environment can teach you to have a brighter outlook on life.
Also, during your treatment program, you will have 24/7 access to licensed mental health professionals. If you are having a hard time (day or night), these individuals will be on-site and ready to provide you with the support you need. You can rest assured that there is always someone there to listen to your concerns and help you problem-solve.
5. Learn Healthy Coping Mechanisms
Lastly, a dual diagnosis treatment program will teach you healthy coping mechanisms that you can use to self-regulate your emotions.
Before you got into recovery, you probably used drugs and alcohol to cope with your feelings of depression. Unfortunately, doing so only worsens your symptoms over time, as they were never truly dealt with. Healthy coping mechanisms provide you with an outlet for your negative and difficult-to-deal-with emotions while distracting you from the mental pain you are facing.
Examples of healthy coping mechanisms include:
- Speaking with a supportive friend or a professional
- Journaling your thoughts
- Exercising
- Yoga and meditation
- Attending self-help support groups
- Breathing exercises
Get The Care You Need and Deserve
Woburn Wellness Addiction Treatment is a leader in the addiction treatment field, with proven success in facilitating long-term recovery. Our team of top clinical & medical experts specializes in treating addiction coupled with mental illness, ensuring that each person receives individualized care. Call us – we’re available 24/day, 7 days/week.
Find Help for Depression and Addiction Today
If you or a loved one suffer from co-occurring depression and addiction, it’s time to seek help. Living with these two conditions can significantly impact your ability to function in your daily life. Additionally, depression and addiction can worsen one another, putting you at a higher risk of experiencing life-threatening emergencies like overdoses or suicidal ideation. Dual diagnosis recovery centers like Woburn Wellness can help you overcome addiction and depression with individualized treatment and aftercare support. Contact us today for more information on how to get started.
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