Depression in women who also suffer from substance abuse problems often rises during the holidays. Many women feel pressure to perform and exceed familiar expectations during the holidays, to make the perfect holiday for their loved ones. Unfortunately the combination of substance abuse or alcohol problems and depression can make the holidays incredibly difficult for many women.
Treatment for substance abuse problems and depression in women can help make the holidays easier to handle. Depression and substance abuse problems are often linked because the underlying cause of both can be the same. Many women have underlying issues rooted in family, past experience, or feelings of inadequacy or insecurity. During the holidays these feelings can resurface, even for a woman that has been in recovery for years.
Substance Abuse and Depression During The Holidays
Women in recovery may or may not recognize their triggers. If they do recognize that holiday stress is a trigger, it is important to seek the support of the recovery community and even a counselor during particularly stressful or high anxiety situations. If a woman no longer recognizes stress as a trigger, she may not realize until she is faced with relapse that her recovery is in danger. Friends and family members may wish to help, but it is important that they come from a non-judgmental place of love and support.
Family members
It can be difficult to watch someone you love suffer, especially from substance abuse and depression in women. Many family members may wish to help, but don’t understand how depression works or how to break the cycle of substance abuse. It is important that family members seek professional treatment alongside their loved one; this provides not only the best opportunity for their loved ones long-term recovery, but also the chance for the family to heal.
Friends
Supportive friends and loved ones can be essential to the long-term recovery of a person suffering from dual diagnosis. Depression in women often arises at times of high stress or life cycle changes. Friends may be keyed into changes in a woman’s life before family members and may recognize that stress is mounting. A supportive friend may offer to play a direct role in their friend’s recovery or an indirect role. From driving a loved one to meetings to offering an ear and acting as a sounding board, friends and loved ones are often the continued support a woman needs to get through difficult times, such as the holidays.
Depression in women is one of the most common behavioral health disorders in America. If you or a woman you love is suffering from feelings of depression and anxiety or may be dealing with feelings of low self-worth or fear that are preventing her from living a full and productive life, please call us today. Destination Hope: The Women’s Programis a full service addiction and women’s health treatment facility in Florida for women who suffer from substance abuse and behavioral health issues. We work with women of all ages to help them find a path to healthy living.
