Abusing Alcohol Obstructs Anti-Depressant Medications, Aggravating The Co-Occurring Disorders Of Depression And Alcoholism

Posted by John Lavitt on April 9, 2012 · Leave a Comment 

Aggravating the co-occurring disorders of depression and alcoholism, alcohol abuse can have extreme negative consequences and cause untold external damage. There are more than 60 diseases that are associated with alcohol consumption. As an alcoholic provokes these health problems by continuing to drink, the alcohol consumed also prevents medication prescribed to address such problems ineffective.

Co-Occurring Disorders Of Depression And Alcoholism

A perfect example is in the case of depression in all its forms. Whether it is bi-polar or obsessive compulsive, clinical or anxiety ridden, ONE80CENTER has seen the wreckage caused when the co-occurring disorders of depression and alcoholism are set against each other. Drinking not only makes depression worse because alcohol is a depressant, it also obstructs the anti-depressant medications designed to help the client who suffers from the co-occurring disorders of depression and alcoholism.

Co-Occurring Disorders Of Depression And Alcoholism

Such a frustrating problem becomes a Catch-22 as the alcoholic is caught in a deadly spiral of aggravating their co-occurring disorders of depression and alcoholism. Why do alcoholics have the unique inability of being unable to heed the warning labels on the prescription bottles of antidepressants and mood stabilizers. All of these labels seem to say the same thing: DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES WHEN TAKING THIS MEDICATION or ALCOHOL MAY INTENSIFY THIS EFFECT with an image of a man clearly well sedated.

As veteran drinkers, alcoholics are arrogant and believe they can handle just about everything. They rationalize their behaviors by expressing how alcohol is a better anti-depressant for them than any stupid medication. The insanity of the alcoholic mind in the form of the disease of perception is downright incredible. Despite negative consequences and clear evidence to the contrary, they cannot escape vicious cycles of alcohol abuse.

When an alcoholic ignores a warning label, it is just one more example of the disease running rampant and out of control. Despite the necessity of anti-depressant medication and a diagnosis of depression, the alcoholic will not stop and will continue on the road of self-destruction. ONE80CENTER has watched such tragedies unfold again and again as the co-occurring disorders of depression and alcoholism are set against each other and spiral downwards. This is a main motivation for the work we do. You cannot imagine how gratifying it is when we actually can help our clients break such vicious cycles of abuse and begin the road of true recovery.

Co-Occurring Disorders Of Depression And Alcoholism Deadly Spiral

Avoiding the destructive end product of alcoholism happens through early intervention and taking the first steps on the road of recovery. The most useful stepping-stone before any treatment method is to recognize that the problem of the co-occurring disorders of depression and alcoholism set against each other exists. If you have a friend or a loved one or a colleague experiencing such problems, if you sense their co-occurring disorders of alcoholism and depression are leading to a downward spiral, contact ONE80CENTER for informed help.