Co-occurring substance induced mood disorders

Depression and anxiety, especially post-traumatic stress disorder can also co-occur with substance dependency and is commonly induced by prolonged substance (drug and alcohol) abuse and dependency.

Substance-induced mood disorders can have features of a manic, hypomanic, mixed, or depressive episode. Most substances can induce a variety of mood disorders. For example, stimulants such as amphetamine (Adderall, Dexedrine; "Speed" , Mephedrone), methamphetamine (Desoxyn; "Meth", "Crank", "Crystal", etc.), and cocaine ("Coke", "Crack", etc.) can cause manic, hypomanic, mixed, and depressive episodes.

Most often the substance can serve to maintain the mental health problems such as anxiety, post-traumatic stress and depression forming a vicious cycle. Furthermore alcohol misuse directly causes the development of depression in a significant number of heavy drinkers (Falk et al 2008, Ferguson et al 2009; Schukit et al 2007).

High rates of suicide also occur in those who have alcohol-related problems (Chignon et al 1998).

It is usually possible to differentiate between alcohol-related depression and depression which is not related to alcohol intake by taking a careful history of the patient. Depression and other mental health problems associated with alcohol misuse may be due to distortion of brain chemistry, as they tend to improve on their own after a period of abstinence. However it is also increasingly recognised by professionals that treatment needs to focus on both conditions, especially when it is co-occurring to optimise recovery chances. Long term use of benzodiazepines which have a similar effect on the brain as alcohol have also been associated with depression.

OUR TREATMENT APPROACH

Some people experience both anxiety and depressive symptoms. If you have been experiencing an anxiety disorder or depression with/without substance dependency/abuse the medical and clinical team can provide comprehensive treatment either on a residential or outpatient basis depending on severity and individual circumstances.