One of the first effects of alcohol use is being able to forget about your worries and feel good for a while. Many people who have depression start drinking for the temporary relief it provides. However, both untreated depression and long-term alcohol use come with serious risks. Learning about these conditions is one small step you can take today to move toward the life you want to live. Understanding how they interact can help you have better conversations with care providers and find support that’s most helpful for you.
We’re not here to shame you for your moods or how you’ve been coping. We know depression is very real and debilitating, and there are many barriers that keep people from seeking treatment. Our goal with this article is to educate you on depression and alcohol use disorder (AUD) from a health perspective so you can reflect and make well-informed decisions.
Are you experiencing a mental health crisis? Call or text 988, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, for immediate support.
To clarify, Lightfully does not treat substance use disorder, but we can provide mental health support.
Keep reading for seven things to consider if you’re using alcohol while managing depression.
7 considerations if you’re managing depression and using alcohol
It’s very common for people to experience alcohol use disorder and depression at the same time, so you’re definitely not alone. It’s sometimes referred to as “dual disorder.” Both depression and alcohol use are stigmatized in our society, and treatment for both conditions are usually handled by different care providers in separate facilities. This can make it even harder to get help that makes sense for your symptoms and your lifestyle. The most effective treatment will be comprehensive, personalized and provided by professionals you trust.
Consider these facts about depression and alcohol use if you’re struggling with both right now:
Alcohol disrupts sleep quality.
Even though alcohol can make it easier to fall asleep quickly, the quality of that sleep suffers. To feel your best and reduce depression symptoms, you need a full night of restorative sleep, every night. Try to go to bed at the same time every night. You might make it a ritual to drink a cup of herbal tea, do some gentle stretching or read a chapter of a book.
Alcohol interferes with medication.
If you’re taking antidepressants and mood stabilizers, drinking alcohol may make them less effective. People who take certain types of antidepressants, specifically monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), should avoid alcohol as it may cause a dangerous spike in blood pressure. If you take SSRIs, SNRIs or tricyclic antidepressants, alcohol can worsen sedation or side effects.
Alcohol worsens depressive symptoms over time.
The presence of both AUD and depression is associated with more severe symptoms and worse outcomes. People fall into a cycle of temporary relief followed by more intense depressive episodes.
Alcohol affects emotional regulation.
When you’re dependent on alcohol, you may have a harder time processing and coping with difficult feelings. Both substance use rehabilitation and mental health treatment can help you build resilience and find more effective ways to cope.
Alcohol can increase suicidal ideation.
During depressive episodes, people who drink may be at a heightened risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior. Seeking treatment and ending alcohol use could save your life.
Alcohol impacts therapy effectiveness.
If you’re seeking treatment for depression, alcohol use might make therapy less effective. Aside from being a potential distraction, it can also interfere with emotional processing and memory.
Alcohol creates additional health complications.
Physical health and mental wellness go hand in hand. If you’re not feeling well physically, this can contribute to depression and fuel a need to drink more.
Lightfully is here to help you find relief from depression and explore ways to cope
Alcohol use and depression touch almost every part of your life. Long-term recovery isn’t just about quitting. It involves finding new coping skills, activities and relationships to meet your needs. There is hope that you can recover from alcohol use and depression and feel like yourself again. These symptoms may not be your fault, but there are things you can do to get the treatment you need and find relief.
Seeking evidence-based treatments from licensed clinicians can help you work through your challenges, start to envision the life you want to live and take your first steps toward it. While these conditions are deeply intertwined, few programs address both conditions together. Some people may think they need to seek treatment for alcohol use before mental health treatment, but that is not the case.
At Lightfully, our licensed clinicians provide personalized, whole-person-focused primary mental health care. That means they see our clients as people first, not a list of symptoms or a diagnosis. Our clinicians are sensitive to the unique challenges of having both AUD and depression. We use evidence-based treatments to help you find relief while building habits that will support your mental wellness in the long term.
Are you looking for depression treatment that supports and integrates with your recovery from alcohol use? We can help. When you’re ready to take the first step, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team.
