Everyone has bad days now and then. You’re stressed out from work, you got into an argument with your spouse, or things just don’t seem to be going your way. So what do you do to cope? Some people go for a run, talk it out with friends, or engage in a favorite hobby. And then there are also those who grab a drink.

Having a drink from time to time is okay for many people, as long as they can keep it under control. But when the bad days seem to happen every day and so does the drinking, this can become problematic. While you may get the false impression that drinking is making you feel better, it can actually make things worse, especially if you have depression.

What is Depression?

There are several different types of depression. While some are milder, others can be severe and debilitating. Minor depression usually passes after a few days and the person is able to get back to functioning more normally. Major depression lasts more than two weeks and interferes with many aspects of the person’s life.

Depression is not just feelings of sadness or loneliness, though these are two common symptoms that many people recognize. It can present itself in many different ways:

• No longer enjoying activities you once did.
• Lack of energy.
• Withdrawing from others and becoming more isolated.
• Ruminating on things that happened in the past.
• Difficulty getting out of bed and starting the day.
• Pessimistic thoughts about the future.
• Poor sleeping habits.
• Feelings of helplessness or hopelessness.
• Aches and pains with no explainable cause.
• Changes in appetite.

Turning to Alcohol as a Solution

To combat these feelings, some people turn to alcohol. They just want to forget their problems for a while and feel better. After drinking, they may feel more confident or have fewer inhibitions and use this as a pick-me-up. Alcohol can make them tired which can make it easier to fall asleep. What started out as one drink can quickly turn into more. With some episodes of depression lasting for weeks, it can add up and develop into alcoholism.

But there are numerous reasons in addition to risk of alcoholism why drinking is not a good solution.

• Alcohol is a depressant and can actually end up making you feel worse. Later that day or the next morning you end up feeling even more depressed and distraught over what happened.
• It doesn’t solve your problems and can actually make them worse or add new ones. Drinking just makes you temporarily forget your problems or how you feel. It does nothing to change them. While under the influence, you may make poor decisions that can further complicate things and lead to more drinking.
• Alcohol can have negative interactions with antidepressants. If you’re on medication, alcohol can decrease its effectiveness and trigger worsening symptoms of depression. It can also increase the severity of side effects.
• While you may fall asleep more quickly after drinking, it reduces your body’s ability to fall into deep REM sleep. Your sleep may be restless and not refreshing. When you wake up, you continue to feel tired and don’t have much energy even though you slept.
• Over time your body builds up a tolerance to the alcohol. You must drink more and more to feel the same effects and this can be dangerous. It increases your risk of injury, illness, and alcohol poisoning. In addition, it can lead to alcoholism.

Some people drink because they’re depressed and then are depressed because they drink, and this can become a vicious cycle. Soon they are unable to stop on their own and don’t know how else to cope.

Treating Depression and Alcoholism

Since these two conditions can be so intertwined, it is essential that they be treated simultaneously. If you treat one but not the other, you run a greater risk of relapse because there are underlying factors that have not been addressed. A dual diagnosis program can help you manage both your depression and addiction. You can learn more about what your triggers are and how these two conditions impact your life and your decisions. In addition, you can explore healthier ways of coping.

It can be very difficult as well as unsafe to try to quit on your own without any professional assistance. In a rehab center in Los Angeles you can get the customized care you need so that you can get your life back on track. You will be able to engage in a wide range of activities such as yoga, meditation, acupuncture, journaling, gardening, music or art therapy, equine therapy, and more depending on the facility. This can give you many outlets to reduce stress, boost your mood, and resist the temptation to drink.

Depression and alcoholism are both very serious health conditions. Ignoring problems does not make them go away. But there is hope and help available. Chapters Capistrano offers a dual diagnosis program to help you overcome depression and addiction in a more effective manner. You will learn strategies and techniques to support you as you progress through recovery and transition back home. You will be empowered to make healthier choices and embrace a sober lifestyle while keeping a more positive outlook. Contact Chapters Capistrano today at 949-276-2886 if you or a loved one is struggling with depression and drinking. It’s not too late to turn things around.