What is Self Medicating Depression?

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Millions of Americans grapple with depression, but only a small number of them seek treatment for it. A larger number try self medicating depression with drugs and alcohol. This type of ineffective coping often leads to bigger problems, including more severe depression and other mental health issues.

Are You Depressed?

Everyone experiences sadness at times, but depression is different. Depression is a real condition that often leads to higher incidences of substance abuse. How do you know if you’re just going through a sad phase or if you’re actually depressed and need treatment? If you’re like many people, you may be self medicating depression. Without realizing it, you could be making your depression worse.

What Is Self Medicating Depression?

Appropriate depression treatment programs involve various kinds of therapy, and it may include medication in the short or long term. When someone tries self medicating depression, she may drink alcohol or abuse drugs. Initially, drinking may make you feel more social and outgoing. But alcohol is a depressant. A vicious cycle starts when you drink more, believing it makes you feel better. The more you drink, the more you have to in order to experience the same effects. This is how tolerance increases and dependency starts. The same goes for abusing other drugs to cope with depression. Before you know it, it’s difficult for you to function without your drug of choice. Effective self medicating depression treatment is available. With it, you’ll learn how to manage stress and anxiety without relying on drugs and alcohol. Your mental, physical and emotional health will all improve once you take a step toward true healing.

A Place for Comprehensive and Holistic Treatment

At Acqua Recovery Center in Salt Lake City, you can get treatment that brings you away from self medicating depression. For clients with co-occurring disorders — such as depression or anxiety — we provide specialized treatment that addresses both conditions at the same time. For example, our services include:

You don’t have to self-medicate your problems and only make things worse. Our professionals are ready to start you on a journey of lasting recovery, so call us today at 866.830.4628 to learn more. Overcome self medicating depression in your life today.

What is Self Medicating Depression?

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Dr. Daniel Pickrell

Dr. Daniel Pickrell
Medical Reviewer

Dr. Pickrell is a board-certified psychiatrist with interests in addiction and psychiatry. He strives to identify the underlying cause of substance use. His understanding of addiction as the overlapping symptoms of biopsychosocial development is the foundation to his care model. He is committed to helping both patients and families understand that addiction is a treatable medical illness. He has been involved in the treatment of addiction for the last 17 years and completed his residency training at the University of Utah.

By: Acqua Recovery

Posted Date: Jan 25, 2023

Updated Date: Jul 10, 2024

Millions of Americans grapple with depression, but only a small number of them seek treatment for it. A larger number try self medicating depression with drugs and alcohol. This type of ineffective coping often leads to bigger problems, including more severe depression and other mental health issues.

Are You Depressed?

Everyone experiences sadness at times, but depression is different. Depression is a real condition that often leads to higher incidences of substance abuse. How do you know if you're just going through a sad phase or if you're actually depressed and need treatment? If you're like many people, you may be self medicating depression. Without realizing it, you could be making your depression worse.

What Is Self Medicating Depression?

Appropriate depression treatment programs involve various kinds of therapy, and it may include medication in the short or long term. When someone tries self medicating depression, she may drink alcohol or abuse drugs. Initially, drinking may make you feel more social and outgoing. But alcohol is a depressant. A vicious cycle starts when you drink more, believing it makes you feel better. The more you drink, the more you have to in order to experience the same effects. This is how tolerance increases and dependency starts. The same goes for abusing other drugs to cope with depression. Before you know it, it's difficult for you to function without your drug of choice. Effective self medicating depression treatment is available. With it, you'll learn how to manage stress and anxiety without relying on drugs and alcohol. Your mental, physical and emotional health will all improve once you take a step toward true healing.

A Place for Comprehensive and Holistic Treatment

At Acqua Recovery Center in Salt Lake City, you can get treatment that brings you away from self medicating depression. For clients with co-occurring disorders — such as depression or anxiety — we provide specialized treatment that addresses both conditions at the same time. For example, our services include:

You don't have to self-medicate your problems and only make things worse. Our professionals are ready to start you on a journey of lasting recovery, so call us today at 866.830.4628 to learn more. Overcome self medicating depression in your life today.

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