Substance Use Disorders and Mood Disorders
Some substances can make you feel good, while others can make you feel much worse. Whether you must take medication for a health need or you are using a drug to help you relax, over time, mood disorders can develop. When they do, you may feel awful and yet compelled to continue to use substances.
Substance use disorders can lead to the onset of mood disorders. When this happens, it may be time to seek out support from our team at Victory Addiction Recovery Center. We offer a comprehensive treatment plan designed to meet your needs.
How Substance Use Disorders Cause Mood Disorders
A variety of substances can trigger mood disorders in some people. For example, some people using alcohol may develop depression. Some psychoactive substances, inhalants, sedatives, opioids, and cocaine can all cause mood disorders. Mood disorders may develop due to underlying mental health challenges that are triggered or worsened by the substances.
Substances affect the hormone levels in the brain, sometimes resulting in emotional outcomes that are hard to navigate. Consider a few of the types of substance-induced mood disorders that could occur:
- Anxiety disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive or a related disorder
- Bipolar disorders
- Psychotic disorders
- Depressive disorders
Stimulants, for example, are noted for their ability to create depression-like symptoms in people, and paranoia or anxiety in others. If you take cocaine, for example, that can trigger psychosis or the onset of schizophrenia. If you have underlying mental health problems, the use of hallucinogenic drugs, like
Signs and Symptoms of Substance-Induced Mood Disorders
People with substance dependency can develop a variety of types of mental health and mood disorders. When this occurs, seeking help is critical. Recognizing what is happening isn’t always easy, though. If you or your loved one has any of the following symptoms, you could be struggling with a mood disorder:
- Low mood, or just feeling unmotivated or unhappy
- Irritability
- Feeling helpless and hopeless
- Feeling guilt, especially when not appropriate
- Feeling worthless
- Experiencing changes in appetite or sleep patterns
- Having trouble concentrating
- Having thoughts of death or suicide
In situations like this, realizing the connection between alcohol or drugs and the mood disorder can be a challenge. It can be very difficult for family members to understand what is occurring. Remember, if you or someone you care about is struggling with a substance use disorder or a mental health disorder, seeking professional support is critical.
What Does Treatment for a Mood Disorder and Substance Use Look Like?
Those struggling with addiction benefit from one-on-one support from their family and friends, yet that is not always enough. Professional treatment can be critical to helping you get back to the level of health and well-being you desire.
Treatment for substance-induced mood disorders requires abstinence from substances as well as therapy and, in some cases, medication. At Victory, you’ll embark on a continuum of care:
- Medical detox to help with withdrawal symptoms. Nurses and therapists will monitor you 24/7 to help with physical and emotional side effects of detox.
- Residential or outpatient treatment. This emphasizes individual, group, and family therapy to help you explore the reasons for your addiction and learn how to manage your mental health in more sustainable ways. You will learn how to track your mental health condition and use resources and support to keep yourself stable.
- Aftercare. Your treatment team will help you connect with local resources to continue getting the care you need. You’ll also be invited to join the alumni community for ongoing support.
When you are facing the intensity of addiction and mood disorders, getting professional support allows you to navigate both components of your situation – addiction and mood disorder – in a safe and effective manner.
Reach Out to Victory Addiction Treatment Center for Guidance
If you are struggling with alcohol addiction in Louisiana or battling long-term use of substances causing intense mood disorders, it’s possible to get the guidance and help you need.
Turn to Victory Addiction Recovery Center today to learn how we can help you. With compassionate counselors, we are always available to guide you through the experiences you are having.
