You know what happens when you try to quit drinking on your own? There’s typically a quick relapse that comes with overwhelming feelings of guilt and hopelessness. However, depression after alcohol detox can also happen when you withdraw at a facility and do it right. Here’s what you need to know about the connection between alcohol detox and depression.
Understanding Depression
Depression isn’t a feeling of sadness that happens as the result of a situation. Instead, it’s a feeling of apathy, worthlessness, and hopelessness. It probably feels familiar. There’s a good chance that you’ve been struggling with it for a long time.
Why Is There Depression After Alcohol Detox?
Have you felt depressed in the past? Did you see a doctor about the condition? Few people with depression receive a formal diagnosis or treatment. Instead, many choose to self-medicate to make the symptoms go away.
Therefore, you might have chosen to have a few drinks to escape from the constant sadness. The alcohol numbed you enough so you could tune out and go to sleep. Over time, the habit became a drinking problem. That’s when you entered the detox facility.
However, because co occurring disorders and addiction go hand in hand, the depression’s still there. In fact, it will persist. Therapists can assist you with targeted treatments. These help you deal not just with alcohol dependency but also with depression.
Treatment Options for Depression after Alcohol Detox at High-Quality Detox Facilities
Of course, the primary focus of a professional detox facility is medical supervision of the withdrawal process. Therapists ensure that you remain safe and pain-free as you stop using alcohol. Besides that, other interventions help you cope. Examples include:
- Residential care that lets you live at the detox center for full immersion in the therapeutic setting
- Personalized treatment that takes into account your depression as a co-occurring condition
- Talk therapy that enables you to explore the roots of depression and find ways of managing it
- Meditation as a way to overcome stress and deepen your understanding of mindfulness training
- Chiropractic care that boosts physiological wellness
- Relapse prevention planning that includes referrals to support groups and doctors for depression
Remember that detox typically only takes about seven days. That’s not enough time to address depression after alcohol detox. However, it’s an excellent beginning to put you on the road to recovery. Most importantly, it sets you up for future successful treatments that help you deal with depression.
Putting off Making the Call is a Mistake
Your drinking problem won’t get better on its own. The same goes for depression. Both are conditions that respond well to treatment. Similarly, there’s pharmacological support that lets you manage both.
Don’t you owe it to yourself to learn more about overcoming depression after alcohol detox? In the same way, should you find out why your alcohol detox and depression have such a strong connection? At Serenity House Detox & Recovery in Houston, you receive answers to these questions and get help. Call 866.516.8356 today.