What is Alcoholic Depression?

Many people do not realize that alcoholism is the beginning of a lot of serious physical and psychological problems. Some of the problems begin shortly after a person begins drinking. Some of the more serious problems are a result of long term excessive drinking. However, an addiction to alcohol leads to medical, personal, and societal problems with any amount.

One of these problems is called alcoholic depression. It has been determined that there is a direct correlation between the abuse of alcohol and severe depressive episodes. In many surveys, and research conducted, it has shown that at least 50% of the people who abuse alcohol exhibit signs of depression.

Alcoholic depression is just one of the many problems associated with alcoholism, but it is a serious problem. The people who show signs of depression are at a higher risk of paranoia, mood swings, and even suicidal attempts. Alcohol is a depressant in its own. By simply drinking alcohol a person has a general tendency to change the mood that they are in. This can either work in a way that brings a person down, or makes them excitable. However, studies have also shown that many use alcohol as a way to self-medicate. That is, to combat the depressive episodes that they feel already.

When someone suffers from depression and alcoholism, there are some complex issues that must be addressed. These two illnesses cannot be successfully treated separately of each other. There must be intensive and prolonged treatment to ensure long term success.

Alcoholic depression is an illness that is sometimes already present within the person. Many believe that this type of condition is hereditary. Meaning that some depressive tendencies are already present and alcohol is a means to help the person live with the disorder. However, the interaction of both the alcohol and the depression react in ways that are even more harmful as each condition exacerbates the other.

Heavy drinkers of alcohol increase their depression because of the outward problems that they experience. A loss of a job, ruined relationships, and problems with finances, family, and general health all play a role in a deeper dive into depression. This then leads to more drinking which, in their mind, helps to handle the depression, anxiety, and stress.

Because of this tendency to drink more, the alcoholic is at a much greater risk of suicide attempts, accidental overdose of alcohol, getting into an accident, and be prone to making irrational decisions that lead to serious injury or death.

When someone shows signs of alcoholic depression immediate treatment should be initiated. This usually takes the form of intense 24 hour monitoring and treatment for withdrawals, counseling for the depression and alcoholism for no less than 6 months, and then frequent outpatient therapy. Alcoholic depression is a very hard disorder to treat because of the combination of both alcohol dependency and the depression. However, success rates are climbing when the alcohol treatment facility, the personnel, and the family combine to help provide adequate care.

 

^{Reference: depression.about.com/od/drugsalcohol/a/alcoholanddep.htm}

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