Treatment For Depression and Addiction in Massachusetts
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Updated On : August 1, 2024
Dual diagnosis, also known as co-occurring disorders, refers to a situation in which a person suffers from a substance use disorder as well as a mental health disorder. Depression is one of the most common types of co-occurring disorders. A person with a substance use disorder may use drugs or alcohol as a way to manage depression symptoms. In other people, substance use can create depression symptoms.
Many people struggle with co-occurring disorders. In 2021, 46.3 million people over the age of 12 in the US suffered from a substance use disorder. Among them, 13.5% had co-occurring disorders, as noted by the US Department of Health and Human Services.[1]
If you are struggling with depression and a substance use disorder, seek help from Engage Wellness Acton immediately.
Depression and addiction frequently interact in complex ways, each condition potentially triggering or worsening the other.[2] Depression changes brain chemistry, particularly affecting dopamine and serotonin levels, which can create vulnerability to substance use problems.
When someone experiences depression, their brain’s natural reward system becomes disrupted, often leading them to seek relief through alcohol or drugs. This pattern of self-medication provides temporary escape but typically worsens depression symptoms over time.
The relationship also works in reverse. Substance use alters brain chemistry and can trigger depressive episodes.[3] Chronic substance use disrupts natural mood regulation, leading to persistent depression even after stopping use. Both conditions share common biological and environmental triggers, including trauma history, genetic predisposition, and chronic stress. This overlap makes it particularly challenging to determine which condition developed first.
Recovery becomes more achievable when both conditions receive proper attention and treatment. Mental health and addiction professionals create comprehensive treatment plans that target symptoms of both depression and addiction while helping develop healthy coping strategies.
Depression and addiction often share overlapping symptoms, making diagnosis and treatment more complex. When these conditions occur together, certain signs become more prominent and may indicate the presence of both conditions:[4]
Everyone feels sad sometimes. Those who feel sad often, and especially when they may not have a reason to feel like that, could be suffering from a hormonal imbalance that could contribute to health complications and the onset of substance use disorders.
To diagnose this co-occurring disorder, a full evaluation is necessary. This evaluation will consider substance use habits as well as the actual symptoms of depression a person has.
Diagnosis of depression and substance use disorder may include:
A conversation with you, your family, and your medical team can help to pinpoint the likelihood of dual diagnosis. However, there is no way to rule out the possibility of a mental health disorder until a person has gone through the detoxification process when necessary.
With the onset of mental health treatment (including depression and addiction treatment at the same time), it is possible for a person to navigate long-term recovery.
Mental health treatment for depression and a substance use disorder must be done at the same time to be beneficial to that person. Treating one component of co-occurring disorders without also treating the other could put a person at a higher risk of relapse.
Depression and addiction treatment is typically a multi-step process. It may include the following:
To start mental health treatment when you have a co-occurring disorder, it is critical to remove the toxins from your body that may be causing your cravings. Detox is a process that involves medical monitoring to rid the body of the substance and enable the brain and body to begin to work through the dependency.
As a first step in the treatment of substance use disorders, detox can involve spending several days in a treatment center. Medications and medical care may be available to help you through these initial days.
A person with a dual diagnosis will need a wide range of treatment methods to help them recover from both mental health and substance use disorders. At Engage Wellness, we offer an individualized treatment plan to address the specific risk factors you are facing. This treatment may include the following:
Most people experiencing the need for a dual diagnosis treatment program will need ongoing care. This can be done through various stepped-down treatment programs. Ongoing therapy helps to build confidence when real-world triggers and complications arise. Depression and addiction treatment is an ongoing process for most people, though you’ll need less intensive care over time.
As you navigate the next steps in seeking depression and addiction treatment, consider the benefits that may come from it:
Recovery from co-occurring depression and addiction requires a comprehensive treatment approach that addresses both conditions simultaneously. Various therapeutic options provide different paths to healing and long-term recovery.
Our substance use and mental health treatment program at Engage Wellness is an individualized treatment program designed to provide you with the one-on-one care you need. Our program incorporates group therapy, MAT care, substance use education, and support for all forms of depression. When you are struggling, let our team help you to build a better, more long-term solution.
At Engage Wellness Acton, our team of highly skilled professionals specializing in mental health and substance use disorders is available to help you. We treat depression and addiction using the most innovative and effective strategies available. It can change your future. Contact us now to speak to an admissions counselor.
Common warning signs include increasing alcohol or drug use to manage emotions, worsening depression symptoms, and difficulty handling daily responsibilities. When someone experiences symptoms of depression, they may begin to self-medicate with substances, creating a cycle that requires professional help to address both conditions.
Depression treatment centers in Massachusetts and nationwide offer comprehensive care, including therapy, medication management, and support groups. Treatment options typically combine mental health services with addiction recovery programs. Many facilities provide both inpatient and outpatient levels of care based on individual needs.
While recovery from substance use can improve mood, most people need treatment for both conditions simultaneously. Mental health professionals typically recommend dual diagnosis treatment that addresses both the substance use disorder and depression through therapy, medication when appropriate, and ongoing support.
Family support plays a crucial role in recovery. Loved ones can help by learning about both conditions, encouraging professional treatment, participating in family therapy sessions, and understanding that recovery takes time. Family members should also connect with support groups to maintain their own well-being while helping their loved one.
[1] SAMHSA. (2023, January 4). SAMHSA Announces National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) Results Detailing Mental Illness and Substance Use Levels in 2021. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2023/01/04/samhsa-announces-national-survey-drug-use-health-results-detailing-mental-illness-substance-use-levels-2021.html on February 14, 2025
[2] Depression & Substance Use Disorders. (2024, September 30). Partnership to End Addiction. https://drugfree.org/article/depression-and-substance-use-disorders/ on February 14, 2025
[3] NIDA. (2020, July 6). Drugs and the Brain. National Institute on Drug Abuse. https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/drugs-brain on February 14, 2025
[4] SAMHSA. (2023). What are Co-Occuring Disorders? Samhsa.gov. https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health/what-is-mental-health/conditions/co-occurring-disorders on February 14, 2025