Alcohol Abuse and Depression

What is the Link Between Alcohol Abuse and Depression?

Alcohol abuse represents a form of substance abuse in which alcoholic beverages are consumed more frequently or in larger amounts than is considered normal, typical or healthy. Depression is a mental illness that is characterized with hopelessness, sadness, mood swings, chronic pain, irritation etc. As any other illness depression can be mild or severe and everything in between.

Many depressed people that don’t know about the link between alcohol abuse and depression, self-medicate with alcohol. That is a big mistake.

Even though in the beginning of alcohol consumption alcohol can reduce some symptoms of depression in the long run it always deepens and prolongs depression. This is because alcohol is a depressant and it will do everything but help you with your depressive disorder.

“Going through my divorce was very painful and difficult for me. My wife left me after twelve years of marriage and was in love with another man. She got everything, our two children, house, a car and a new love of her life in my house. Could it be any worse?

Unfortunately it got worse for me once I started drinking more than I should. Back then I didn’t know anything about alcohol abuse and depression and had no idea that I was depressed. The only thing I was doing those days is work and drink beer. I was working like never before. I used lunch breaks to have a beer after which I would go back to work even more eager to get the job done.

I was workaholic and half way to become an alcoholic. Before I knew it I couldn’t function normally without having few or more than a few beers per day. One day my brother confronted me about my drinking and I realized he was right however I was powerless to stop drinking.

After reading the article about alcohol and depression I realized how serious my condition is and what I needed to do. First I contacted your counseling center by e mail and got all the useful information about my case as well as the guide lines for my treatment.

Group therapy for alcohol abuse and Cognitive-Behavioral therapy for depression were the answer to my prayers. Now, that it is all over I wanted to thank you for being my stepping stone and for giving me the support when I needed it the most." David was 45 when his wife decided to divorce him. Divorce made him depressed and in order to cope with his depression he started drinking alcohol without even knowing he was suffering from depression. His drinking increased over time and after a period of six months he realized that alcohol started to take the control over his life.

Fortunately for David he recognized his problem before becoming an alcoholic which made his prognosis very optimistic. After regular alcohol counseling and psychotherapy, he defeated alcohol abuse and depression and got his life back. Now he spends his time working, socializing, traveling and having quality time with his daughters.

David’s story has a happy end because he was honest to himself and had no problem asking for help. Also, he worked very hard on his recovery and he is determined to stay sober and in control of his life. He learned about alcohol abuse and depression in a hard way and he used his pain to become a better person.

Alcohol is never a solution to depression or any other problem. Alcohol will make you even more vulnerable to depression and other illnesses and deepen and prolong your suffering. By saying “no” to alcohol you are saying "no" to depression. Nobody has ever been cured from depression with alcohol nor will that ever happen.

The relationship between alcohol abuse and depression is strong and it causes a vicious cycle of pain and suffering. In order to get better you must break that “cycle” and get the treatment for both, alcohol abuse and depression separately but simultaneously.

Go from Alcohol Abuse and Depression to Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression Home

Alcoholism and Teenage Depression / Alcohol Abuse and Anxiety / Alcohol Abuse and Social Anxiety / Alcohol and Anxiety / Alcoholism and Anxiety / What is Alcohol Depression / Alcoholism and Depression / Alcoholism and Panic Attacks / Alcoholism, Depression and Suicide /