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There has been much discussion in the treatment community about whether depression and anxiety disorders contribute to addiction or if addiction can be a cause of depression and anxiety. Which came first, the chicken or the egg? According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), mental health conditions are common among those with substance use disorders and vice versa.
In some cases, the same risk factor, such as stress, can lead to both mental health disorders and addictions. In other cases, brain changes from drug and alcohol misuse may lead to the development of a mental health condition. Finally, some people may use drugs and alcohol to self-medicate a mental health disorder.
Self-medicating means a person uses some substance or other unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as gambling or alcohol, to manage the symptoms of a mental health condition. When people self-medicate, they use substances instead of seeking formal treatment. Self-medication can take on several forms.
People may self-medicate with alcohol, tobacco, prescription pills or recreational drugs. A recent study found that the following substances were common forms of self-medication among people with mood and anxiety disorders:
People may also use drugs like cocaine, amphetamines or hallucinogenic drugs to cope with symptoms of anxiety or depression.
People may use alcohol to self-medicate because it can temporarily mask some uncomfortable symptoms of mental health conditions. For instance, alcohol creates feelings of euphoria, which results in temporary feelings of happiness. If someone is living with depression, alcohol may help them feel happier.
Self-medicating anxiety with alcohol is also common because alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, which slows down brain activity and can make you feel relaxed. The problem with self-medicating depression with alcohol, or using alcohol to treat anxiety symptoms, is that alcohol only provides temporary relief. With ongoing alcohol misuse, you may become addicted to alcohol, which typically worsens your mental health.
If you usually drink in response to stress or negative emotions or specifically to become intoxicated to “numb your emotions,” these can be signs of self-medication.
You may also be self-medicating if you’re finding yourself engaging in any of the following behaviors:
Occasionally drinking or consuming alcohol in moderation is generally safe, but self-medication comes with some risks. For example, if you drink heavily or regularly binge drink, your risk of developing an alcohol use disorder, the clinical term for alcohol addiction, increases.
Alcohol misuse also comes with the following health risks over the long term:
Beyond the fact that self-medication can lead to addiction and several health consequences, it’s also a poor coping strategy. Covering mental health symptoms with alcohol or drugs may provide temporary relief, but over the long term, as you develop consequences from substance misuse, you’re likely to find that mental health symptoms worsen. Self-medicating doesn’t work and can create serious problems in your life, including legal troubles.
If you’re self-medicating anxiety, depression or another mental health condition with alcohol, you can take steps to overcome self-medication and productively treat your mental health symptoms. Developing healthy coping skills and, in some cases, seeking treatment can be beneficial.
Sometimes, self-medication can occur because of a specific pattern or habit. Try to engage in self-reflection regarding your own routines. Do you tend to drink when you’re lonely? Or perhaps when an important deadline is looming? Once you identify patterns, you can create a plan to react to your triggers without turning to alcohol.
Alcohol consumption can be replaced with healthy coping mechanisms, such as reaching out to a friend for support, establishing a regular exercise routine or simply allowing yourself to take a break when you feel overwhelmed. Decide upon some healthy coping mechanisms that work for you, and turn to these when you feel anxious or struggle with depression.
If you’ve tried several strategies for overcoming self-medication with alcohol, it may be time to reach out for help. Symptoms like the inability to control your drinking, continuing to drink even in the face of serious consequences and giving up other activities because of drinking can point to an alcohol use disorder.
If you’re living with a mental health condition and an alcohol addiction, it’s important to seek treatment at a center that provides services for co-occurring disorders. Co-occurring disorders treatment addresses both mental health conditions and addictions simultaneously. Seeking treatment for your mental health condition can reduce the symptoms of addiction and vice versa.
The Recovery Village at Palmer Lake offers addiction treatment resources in Colorado for disorders that co-occur with addiction, including depression and anxiety. Different therapies and medical interventions can break the cycle of self-medicating anxiety and depression with substances. Contact us today for more information or to begin the admissions process.
National Institute of Mental Health. “Substance Use and Co-Occurring Mental Di[…]Disorders.” March 2021. Accessed September 12, 2022.
Turner, Sarah; Mota, Natalie; Bolton, James; Sareen, Jitender. “Self-medication with alcohol or drugs fo[…]l literature.” Depression & Anxiety, September 2018. Accessed September 12, 2022.
Northwestern Medicine. “How Alcohol Impacts the Brain”>.” March 2021. Accessed September 12, 2022.
Jones, A.W. “Physiology, Pharmacology, and Toxicol[…]gy of Alcohol.” Indiana University, December 2017. Accessed September 12, 2022.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. “Understanding Alcohol Use Disorder.”>[…]Use Disorder.” April 2021. Accessed September 12, 2022.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Alcohol & Substance Misuse.”>” February 1, 2018. Accessed September 12, 2022.
The Recovery Village at Palmer Lake aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.
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