A great many people with alcohol use disorders (AUD) are also suffering from major depression. Since alcohol can feed our brain’s serotonin receptors, it can make someone feel good for a short amount of time. But eventually, the person crashes and feels even worse than before.
Unfortunately, this vicious cycle continues and is very hard to break without asking for professional help.
THE CHICKEN OR THE EGG THEORY
Both AUD and depression are psychiatric illnesses that cause distress and impair a person’s ability to function. Unsurprisingly, these two disorders are linked, but which tends to come first?
Researchers have found that AUD doubles a person’s risk of developing depression. The analysis indicated that alcoholism was more likely to cause or worsen depression than depression was likely to cause or worsen AUD.
6 WAYS THAT ALCOHOL CAN WORSEN DEPRESSION
1. AUD can eventually lead to isolation, which exacerbates depression. Humans are social creatures, and we can become very depressed when left alone for too long.
2. AUD also leads to poor economic outcomes, as is common with job loss. Chronic financial stress can cause or worsen depression symptoms.
3. AUD can trigger health crises that can lead to or worsen depression. Fatty liver disease, heart disease and diabetes are just a few of the chronic illnesses linked with alcohol abuse.
4. Alcohol can cause brain or metabolic changes that can lead to depression. For instance, alcohol can interfere with a person’s endocrine system, and the resulting hormonal imbalance can worsen their depression symptoms.
5. Alcohol is a depressant. While it can make you feel “happier” initially, it eventually worsens the depression.
6. Alcohol impairs judgment and increases impulsivity. This can lead to poor behaviour and negative consequences that lead to or worsen feelings of depression.
AUD can be a dangerous and difficult combination. Unfortunately, this combination can be self-reinforcing, making it challenging to break the cycle. If you are feeling depressed and tend to abuse alcohol, it is important you speak with a professional to get your symptoms under control. A Registered Psychotherapist, such as myself, who is also specifically trained in treating substance use disorders, I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Addiction Studies, and I am a Canadian Certified Addictions Counsellor so that I can offer coping strategies for both your depression and AUD.
Don't hesitate to contact me if you or a loved one want to explore ways to increase your coping strategies. I would happily schedule an appointment with you at your earliest convenience.
Together, finding solutions.
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