Mental health and substance use disorders (SUDs) go hand-in-hand in one in four cases and, depending on the diagnosis, often more frequently. Serious mental health conditions like major depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and personality disorders put people at risk of misusing substances to self-medicate. The vulnerability caused by serious depression includes susceptibility to addiction, and depression treatment will go along with addiction treatment at a reputable rehab center. At Apex Recovery Nashville, co-occurring disorders treatment is a fundamental part of our program.
To learn about how the clinicians at Apex Recovery Nashville address co-occurring disorders at our addiction and depression treatment program, connect with us to ask questions. We can be reached by phone at 615.703.4639 or via online form. We know it’s hard to feel motivated to seek help when you are depressed, and that admitting you have a substance use problem is also difficult. Our compassionate team of professionals understands where you are coming from. Let us help.
Understanding Different Types of Depression
About a third of all people with depression have an addiction as well. The most common types of depression that co-occur with alcohol or drug misuse are:
- Major depression – Characterized by extreme sadness, poor sleep, and irritability. If left untreated, major depression is likely to re-occur throughout life.
- Dysthymia – Considered less intense than major depression, dysthymia can last for years, lead to major depression, and may be easier to overlook by friends and family as a personality trait rather than an illness.
- Seasonal affective disorder – Associated with changes in the amount of available light in the winter, SAD can be severe and repeats annually.
- Atypical depression – This form of depression is atypical because sufferers can have their mood briefly lifted by something that happens, like a joyful event or piece of news. The depression is just as severe as any other, but often is missed due to the occurrence of misleading but real moments of relief.
All of these conditions commonly lead to self-medication with drugs or alcohol and, when untreated, often have devastating effects on sufferers and their families.
What to Expect in a Depression Treatment Center
For best outcomes, dual diagnosis treatment for depression and addiction needs to be done with a coordinated approach that addresses both co-occurring disorders together. When clinical staff has expertise in treating mental health conditions like depression in conjunction with a co-occurring SUD, you can expect better outcomes than if you addressed only your psychiatric disorder or addiction on its own.
When you enroll in an addiction rehab, you will receive a thorough intake during which you will share your goals and history. Your medical history, mental health, and addiction history will help inform your treatment plan. If you have never been diagnosed with depression but report and/or exhibit signs and symptoms, you will be referred for assessment by a professional therapist for diagnosis and to see how you can best be served.
Once you have been identified as having depression, you will be recommended for coordinated treatment for depression and addiction. Often the recommendation is for inpatient care for at least the first 30 days, though a range of factors can influence that decision.
Contact Us for a Depression Therapy Program at Apex Recovery Nashville
Depression treatment for those with a co-occurring substance use disorder can be addressed with a number of evidence-based therapies conducted in individual treatment and/or group therapy. Involving family members in family therapy is also often recommended. Healing your relationship with your support group and helping everyone build compassion and forge healthy boundaries is a significant harbinger of improved recovery outcomes.
Learn more about our depression treatment program in Nashville. Reach out to speak to one of our caring and experienced staff. We can answer your questions about our depression therapy program and how it can support your recovery. Call 615.703.4639 or simply complete this online form to connect.