Depression and the Drug Addiction Relationship

Psychiatric Services

Psychiatric services can encompass a wide range of mental illnesses including, but certainly not limited to, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorders, eating disorders and much more. Each of these can eventually lead to drug or alcohol abuse, especially in teenagers who are faced with tough decisions on a daily basis from peers in and out of school.

When you feel that you or a loved one may be in need of assistance in Chicago IL, don’t be afraid to call the experts at Chicago Behavioral Hospital for more information on treatment options.

How to Identify Depression

Depression is not just a feeling of being sad, it can be a deeply rooted and very serious mental disorder that can occur in both children and adults. Some of the most noticeable signs of depression are:

Feelings of hopelessness. Depression leads you to feel that things in life are just hopeless, a never ending uphill battle. As a result, you are more of a pessimist, seeing the glass half empty instead of half full.

Irritability and restlessness. These two can go hand in hand; when you are not resting well, you can be irritable. Depression can make it hard for you to get good sleep, or can make you feel uncomfortable which might make you irritable and short tempered.

No interest in past passions. You may have once loved playing sports, painting or photography but no longer care for it anymore. You would rather stay in bed and forget the world is out there. This is a large red flag of an underlying issue and could be a definitive sign of depression.

Thoughts of suicide. A very serious sign, but not uncommon with someone dealing with clinical depression. Thinking about, talking about, or insisting that the family would be better off without you should be taken seriously.

Everyone is unique, so obviously each person may experience things differently. But if you think a friend or family member might be battling depression, the good news is that there is help out there and treatments available.

Using the Chemical Crutch

Many adults and youth facing depression or other psychological issues may turn to drugs or alcohol. This can include anything from heroin and prescription drugs to aerosols and cleaning solvents. Regardless of the drug of choice, you can find help and fellowship to overcome the depressive feelings and the addiction to harmful chemicals. All it takes is a single phone call to Chicago Behavioral Hospital.