Depression is a mental health disorder that affects millions of Americans each year. Symptoms of depression include persistent sadness, hopelessness, and defeat. These feelings are painful to endure day after day. Consequently, depression is often a forerunner of substance use disorder because people self-medicate in the hopes of feeling better. But, drugs that are used without a prescription, or used in ways other than prescribed, can do more harm than good. If you’re suffering the symptoms of depression, compounded by substance use disorder, help in and around Davie, FL is available.
Symptoms of Depression
Alongside feelings of sadness and hopelessness, depression can cause a host of other problems, including:
- Sleep disruption
- Confusion
- Irritability
- Suicidal thoughts
- Isolation
- Fatigue
Living with depression may cause you to lose interest in the activities that once made you happy. It may cause relationships to deteriorate and make it difficult to function each day. As a result, people who suffer from chronic, clinical depression may find it challenging to maintain a job, go to school, or care for their families.
But there’s good news, too. Depression is highly treatable. Through behavioral therapy, medication, or both, we can alleviate depression. Therefore, the first step is to understand that there’s a problem and that it requires treatment.
Why People Self-Medicate for the Symptoms of Depression
Nobody wants to feel sad every day. Persistent, overwhelming feelings of sorrow and grief can make life hard to endure. Sometimes, when this happens, clients self-medicate to try to feel better, even for a short time. Moreover, they may take medications such as opioid pain relievers, tranquilizers, or mood-altering drugs from old prescriptions. They may take drugs that doctors have prescribed for friends or family members. They may begin drinking alcohol. Additionally, they may purchase drugs off the street.
The reasons why clients self-medicate, instead of seeking treatment, are many and may include:
- Fear that they can’t afford the doctor visit or the medication
- Fear that something worse, such as cancer, is to blame
- Reluctance to leave their home
- Lacking the energy or desire to make an appointment
- Feeling too overwhelmed to move forward
Depression can make your world feel much smaller than it is, and taking that first step toward recovery may feel impossible. It’s vital, however, to reach out. Depression, complicated by addiction, will never get better on its own. Professional medical intervention has to happen for recovery to take place.
Treatment for Symptoms of Depression
If you’re battling depression, you may be surprised how empowering it feels to enter into treatment. Even making that first phone call may be enough to help you get out of bed, shower, get dressed, and pour yourself a cup of coffee. Subsequently, once you’ve had an assessment, and your clinician has worked with you to design a treatment plan that targets your specific needs, life may begin to feel manageable once again.
Current treatments for depression that co-occurs with substance use disorder typically begin with detox. Ridding your body of dangerous chemical substances is vital to your recovery. Once you’ve detoxed, true healing can begin.
Therapy sessions, life-skills training, nutritional counseling, and physical fitness will all play roles in your recovery. To feel better mentally, your body must be on board, as well. Healthy foods, daily exercise, and a structured day are all benefits of a good drug and alcohol treatment program in Davie, FL. Subsequently, you’ll learn healthier coping skills and recovery behaviors that don’t involve the use of drugs or alcohol.
When You’re Ready for Change to Happen
Atlantic Recovery Center in Davie, FL is ready to help you move forward from the symptoms of depression and addiction. Recovery with us is a resort-level experience. Beautiful views, upscale accommodations, and a highly trained and professional medical staff are only the beginning.
Atlantic Recovery Center provides total, holistic care for every area of your life. So, you’ll feel better, function better, and finally be able to control the symptoms of depression that have been controlling you for so long. We’re a small, intimate facility that prides itself on a cozy, at-home atmosphere. Most importantly, you won’t find judgment here. You’ll only find the relief that comes with taking charge of your own life and designing your own, bright future. Call Atlantic Recovery Center in Davie, FL at 1-866-824-5193, and we’ll make things better, beginning today.