Can Depression Lead to Alcohol Use Disorder?

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Depression can lead to alcoholism.

Addiction and sadness are a very common pair. When somebody fully succumbs to the power of addiction and loses control of their lives, it is only natural to feel sadness at this notion. In some people, the sadness can escalate into major depressive disorder. While addiction and depression are linked, is it possible that depression can lead to alcohol addiction in the first place?

Depression is the Gateway to Alcohol Abuse

Depression can cause people to feel hopeless, anxious and worthless. These symptoms, amongst others, are why depression has long been considered a gateway to alcohol abuse. Feeling sad and hopeless can lead individuals to seek solace in a bottle as a way to free themselves from the burden of their own emotions. By getting drunk, depressed individuals hope to no longer feel anything at all. While this approach can backfire and cause someone to feel even more depressed when drunk, it oftentimes is somewhat successful in making them numb to the symptoms of depression.

Untreated Depression Can Lead to More Drinking

It is absolutely essential to get treatment for the symptoms of depression. Untreated, depression can cause a downward spiral as symptoms get more and more severe. As the symptoms get tougher to deal with, alcohol can quickly become the best and only treatment option to escape the pain.

A Temporary Escape Becomes an Addiction

Individuals may turn to alcohol as a way to temporarily avoid the negative symptoms of depression, but the addictive nature of alcohol had a different outcome in mind. After a night of drinking, the depressed individual may find themselves hungover and left feeling even worse the next day. That inevitably leads to more alcohol abuse to fight the symptoms of the hangover, and suddenly a temporary escape becomes an addiction.

Depression and Addiction Work Together to Intensify Symptoms

Addiction and depression are such a destructive duo because they work together to intensify the symptoms of the other. Abusing alcohol will not make the symptoms of depression less severe. In fact, alcohol abuse can make the symptoms of depression much worse and more destructive. On the other hand, depression can make alcoholism much more difficult to overcome. The overriding feelings of helplessness and hopelessness that is so common in depressed individuals is the exact opposite mindset you need to overcome alcohol addiction.

Get Alcohol Abuse Treatment at The Pearson Center

If you are depressed and have issues with alcoholism, traditional alcohol treatments may not be effective. While the best bet is to contact a dual diagnosis treatment center that will treat depression and alcoholism in unison, there are other options. The Pearson Center for Alcoholism and Addiction Research is currently offering a treatment clinical research trial for those who want to get sober. If you are interested in learning more, contact The Pearson Center today by calling (858) 784-7867.