Self-Medicating with Self-Medicating with Alcohol and DrugsAlcohol and Drugs

Self-medicating can be the result Self-medicating can be the result of untreated depression or other of untreated depression or other

mental disordersmental disorders

Depression is seriousDepression is serious

As discussed in the As discussed in the handout, depression is handout, depression is the most common mental the most common mental illness or disorder illness or disorder

If left untreated, depression If left untreated, depression can result in alcohol or can result in alcohol or drug dependency, drug dependency, problems with family and problems with family and friends, work-related friends, work-related problems as well as lead problems as well as lead to other health problems.to other health problems.

Depression and AlcoholDepression and Alcohol

Alcohol is a depressant; therefore, alcohol mixed Alcohol is a depressant; therefore, alcohol mixed with depression is a bad combination.with depression is a bad combination.

However, it is common for depression to lead an However, it is common for depression to lead an individual to drink alcohol or use drugs; once individual to drink alcohol or use drugs; once individuals begins to deal with their depression individuals begins to deal with their depression by abusing drugs and/or alcohol, this can lead to by abusing drugs and/or alcohol, this can lead to psychological dependency or becomes a way life psychological dependency or becomes a way life for the individual suffering with depression for the individual suffering with depression because alcohol and/or drugs become an escape because alcohol and/or drugs become an escape from the depressionfrom the depression

Can it be fixedCan it be fixed

Depression can be Depression can be treated through treated through counseling and drug counseling and drug therapytherapy

Alcoholism or drug abuse Alcoholism or drug abuse can be treated by can be treated by targeting triggers and targeting triggers and treating depressiontreating depression

Targeting triggers can be Targeting triggers can be accomplished through accomplished through therapy and once therapy and once depression is being depression is being treatedtreated

What Next?What Next?

Talk to your counselorTalk to your counselor Be involved in your treatment Be involved in your treatment Examine what you want from treatmentExamine what you want from treatment Soul-searching and examine your inner Soul-searching and examine your inner

self in effort to succeed in treatmentself in effort to succeed in treatment