Depression and addiction often come hand in hand for women who struggle with substance abuse, as it’s the most common dual diagnosis found among female clients. Fortunately, this dual diagnosis can be treated and managed to give women a happy, healthy life in recovery while managing the symptoms of a mental health disorder.

The Dual Diagnosis

Females are much more likely than men to receive dual diagnoses – diagnoses implicating the presence of at least one additional mental disorder in combination with addiction. The dual diagnosis may be anything from anxiety to schizophrenia.

An addiction cannot be properly treated without the other mental health disorder(s) being treated as well. Counselors should be properly trained to diagnose and treat the disorders and after time spent in an addiction recovery program, the mental health disorder should still be maintained through treatment to help fight against relapse.

Depression and Addiction

Depression can contribute to what sparked an addiction in a woman with a dual diagnosis. Sometimes alcohol or drugs are seen as an escape from the symptoms of depression and, with continual use, turned into an addiction.

Sometimes addiction brings on depression. A life of addiction can mean anything from strained relationships, troubles with the law, health problems, self-esteem problems and more.

If a woman suffers from both depression and addiction, both should be treated for the best results and best odds for success. Many addiction programs for women come ready to diagnose and treat dual diagnoses with the proper counseling and treatment plans.

Depression symptoms may include feelings of sadness or hopelessness, a lack of interest in activities, isolation, and poor sleeping patterns, nutrition and hygiene. Depression can affect personal relationships and bring about symptoms that can leave sufferers bedridden at home, not wanting to do anything or to face the world.

Addiction symptoms may include not having limits for substance intake, hiding substance use from others, using alone, storing alcohol and/or drugs in odd places such as a desk at work or in the car to be sure there is always some nearby.

Treatments

Treatments for depression and addiction involve psychotherapy methods such as one-on-one therapy sessions, group therapy, family therapy and support group meetings. In some addiction rehabilitation programs for women, the group therapy and support group meetings will only consist of females. More methods include at-home and everyday techniques such as exercise, nutrition or meditation, as well as the possibility of prescription medication for the depression such as an antidepressant schedule.

If you or a woman you love is having problems with drug abuse, alcohol dependency and mental illness, women’s drug rehab may be the answer.  Remember that recovery from addiction and alcohol abuse treatment means learning how to cope with intensely emotional situations, and identifying when you need help and support.  Treatment for addiction relapse, counseling, and aftercare can help you do this, so please call us today  Destination Hope is a full service addiction and women’s health treatment facility in Florida for women who suffer from substance abuse and behavioral health issues.