Uncovering the Impact of Alcohol and Depression Medicine & How Dual Diagnosis Can Help

If someone is dealing with anxiety or depression and takes medication to treat it, one of the worst things that they can do is to turn to alcohol. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (1), about 20 percent of people with a social anxiety disorder also suffer from alcohol dependence. What many soon realize is that alcohol and depression medicine don’t mix and can lead to a dual diagnosis that requires professional help. Not seeking help can create multiple problems, especially because of the effects that the combination of alcohol and depression and anxiety medication can have.

Why Do People with Anxiety or Depression turn to Alcohol?

People with anxiety or depression may turn to alcohol to try to relax and de-stress. Alcohol is known as a sedative and depressant that affects the central nervous system. At first, it may make you feel relaxed. However, when you continue to drink, your body builds tolerance against the de-stressing feelings, causing you to drink more. When this begins to happen, an addiction can form.

Many people with anxiety may turn to alcohol because it has many of the same calming effects as an anti-anxiety medication. When you drink, your blood alcohol level rises, which makes you feel good and calm. (2) But, as those levels drop, you begin to crash and become depressed.

Alcohol also changes the levels of serotonin in the brain which can worsen anxiety. Once the effects of the alcohol wear off, you may feel more anxious than you did before you started drinking. This, combined with the depression and anxiety that is already occurring, is a recipe for disaster.

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The Dangers of Alcohol and Depression Medicine

Studies (3) show that 12% of adults have reported taking antidepressants. When someone who is taking medication for depression and anxiety begins to drink as well, they are taking a dangerous risk that can be deadly. Some antidepressants cause drowsiness on their own – as does alcohol. When you combine the two, the effect is greater and dangerous.

There are many drugs used to treat depression, including one popular drug, Lexapro. It is prescribed to treat major depressive disorders and general anxiety disorders. Mixing Lexapro with alcohol (4) can cause the following in some patients:

Decreased effectiveness of the drug
Increased anxiety & depression
Drowsiness
Liver problems

Lexapro can also increase the risk of suicide, especially in children, teens, and young adults. Since alcohol can also make people feel depressed when the effects wear off, it may also lead to increased suicide risk if you choose to drink while taking Lexapro.

Drinking while taking anti-depressants and medication for anxiety can affect your thinking and alertness and can be a deadly combination. Antidepressants and alcohol not only affect judgment, but also motor skills, coordination, and reaction time. (5) This can impair your ability to drive and do other things that require you to focus.

The Importance of Dual Diagnosis Treatment for Those with Anxiety and Alcohol Addiction

When someone is dealing with a mental health issue such as depression or anxiety and battling an addiction, it is referred to as a dual diagnosis. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) estimates that 17% of American adults have co-occurring disorders that fall under the umbrella of mental health and substance abuse.

It is crucial to treat mental health and substance abuse issues at the same time to achieve a long-lasting recovery in both areas. If a patient is only receiving treatment for a mental health condition, they will continue to deal with their addiction. Any treatment to ease the mental health issues won’t last long.

Those who only receive treatment for their addiction and not their mental health issues run the risk of those mental health issues remaining. This increases the chance of a relapse. When people only focus on getting treatment for the addiction without looking at what led to it, they will never learn to battle those demons and will continue to abuse alcohol.

At Ocean Hills Recovery, patients receive the tools they need to deal with their mental health and addiction issues. We use an integrated approach that combines the most effective parts of the 12-step program with many innovative treatments. Since each person’s addiction is different, their course of treatment will differ as well.

The Collaborative Treatment Program at Ocean Hills Recovery is a comprehensive method to address many symptoms and obstacles that a patient with a dual diagnosis must face. By giving patients a warm and nurturing environment and the support they need, they can learn to face their diagnosis and overcome it.

If you’re ready to take the first step in battling your mental health issues and addiction, contact Ocean Hills Recovery today or send us a message online. There are staff members on hand 24/7 to take your calls and help you begin your road to sobriety.

Sources:

(1) https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/social-anxiety-disorder/social-anxiety-and-alcohol-abuse
(2) https://www.healthline.com/health/alcohol-and-anxiety#alcohol-effects
(3) https://www.cbsnews.com/news/psychiatric-drugs-study-reveals-widespread-use-women-men/
(4) https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/lexapro-and-alcohol#lexapro-and-alcohol
(5) https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/expert-answers/antidepressants-and-alcohol/faq-20058231

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does drug and alcohol rehab last?

The length of your stay at drug and alcohol rehab will vary for each person attending rehab and from treatment center to treatment center. Most inpatient programs are at least 30 days long; however, some programs may incorporate a shorter inpatient stay with a more extended outpatient stay. The best rehab centers will provide a more custom treatment plan for each person that takes into account the individual’s needs before determining the length of treatment. Ocean Hills Recovery offers a variety of options for addiction treatment. A typical stay at our inpatient drug and alcohol rehab programs last between 30 to 45 days.

Do I need inpatient or outpatient treatment?

Outpatient is an excellent option for people who are unable to take time away from work or their families while receiving addiction treatment. Inpatient treatment is an excellent option for people who can be away from their work or families for at least several weeks for treatment. We recommend that you contact a reliable treatment center, like Ocean Hills Recovery, for a complete assessment before you decide whether inpatient or outpatient treatment for addiction is best for you.

Should I get addiction treatment locally or away?

The answer to whether you should go away or stay local for addiction treatment is very individual. Many people need to get away from their everyday life for them to fully submerge themselves in their addiction recovery process. For these individuals, going to an out of state treatment center is the best option to be able to commit fully and concentrate on their recovery. For others, this is not an option because of work or family obligations.

What do I do if I don’t have insurance for drug rehab?

There are options for drug rehab, even if you don’t have insurance. When you decide to get help, the best thing to do is to find a treatment philosophy that you believe may help and contact them for assistance. Rehab professionals can help you determine if you have insurance coverage for addiction treatment, and what options are best for you. Many drug rehabs accept insurance but also have private pay, or financing options available. Contact our rehab admissions specialist today, and we can help you navigate insurance questions, payment options, and treatment plans.

How to find a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center?

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website is a great place to start when you are looking for a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. We recommend that you make a list of a few different centers to contact and speak with them to get a feel for their programs, therapies, and staff and find the center that you feel most comfortable with. Have a list of questions that you can ask each center to help you through the process. One of the most important questions to ask is if the rehab holds accreditation by CARF. Having a state license is no longer enough to ensure that a rehab center is reputable. If the rehab holds CARF accreditation, they have had to meet a more strict set of guidelines and procedures.

Do I need detox before addiction treatment?

Many people require detox to help manage withdrawal from alcohol and other drugs. There are several factors that we take into consideration to determine if you will need detox before addiction treatment. Our admissions professionals work with each person to obtain a thorough history of substance use and other medical conditions to help make the appropriate recommendations for care. You must give accurate information so that we can keep you as comfortable as possible if you are experiencing withdrawal symptoms. However, detox is only the first step in addiction recovery. For long-lasting addiction recovery, a person must deal with the underlying issues that lead to substance use in the first place. Contact us today for a confidential assessment.