The World Health Organization estimates that 350 million people worldwide suffer from depression. In the United States, the estimates are surprising, with 6.9 percent of the country’s population facing symptoms of depression.
Substance abuse is also prevalent, with 1 in 7 Americans facing struggles with addiction. In many cases, depression and addiction are linked together, with symptoms of one perpetuating the other. When two conditions are linked, such as depression and addiction, it’s known as a dual diagnosis. At Banyan Treatment Center Chicago, we help patients break free from dual diagnosis disorders. Our drug and alcohol treatment center in Chicago offers services for helping patients with dual diagnosis disorders.
What Comes First, Depression or Addiction?
Addiction and depression are closely linked, but one often starts before the other. If you’re wondering which condition starts first, it depends. For some people, symptoms of depression present before substance abuse or addiction. Symptoms of depression include fatigue, anxiety, discontent, guilt, weight changes, restlessness, and mood swings. These and many other symptoms of depression can be overwhelming, and if they’re not properly treated, they can worsen. This can lead to use of substances such as drugs and alcohol in an attempt to cope. But these aren’t proper coping mechanisms.
When drugs and alcohol are used to treat the symptoms of depression, nothing is being treated. Instead, people are putting themselves at risk for addiction and alcoholism. Genetic predispositions and depression can leave people susceptible to addiction. The longer the substance abuse continues, the higher your tolerance, and the higher the dose that is necessary for achieving the same results. This is the root of addiction.
In other instances, addiction leads to depression. Our drug and alcohol treatment center in Chicago sees this situation occur often. Depression and addiction are often linked in this way, with addiction’s lows feeding into depression. Addiction causes isolation, lows, and often symptoms of depression. When a patient is dealing with both addiction and depression, the symptoms of both conditions feed into one another.
How are Depression and Addiction Treated?
At Banyan Treatment Center Chicago, we offer a variety of treatments for depression, addiction, and these dual diagnosis disorders. One method is cognitive behavioral therapy in Chicago. This therapy is also known as CBT. During CBT, patients meet with a therapist who guides them through the process. CBT helps patients break negative patterns of thought and action. Changing your perspective and gaining control of thoughts can help when it comes to a dual diagnosis.
There are other approaches to dual diagnosis treatment, including family therapy as well. At Banyan Treatment Center Chicago, we offer many approaches to dual diagnosis treatment. We provide care for inpatient, outpatient, and partial hospitalization programs.
To learn more about our approaches to treating depression, addiction, and dual diagnosis disorders call 888-280-4763.
