Drugs, Alcohol, Depression - A Deadly Mixture

Drugs, Alcohol, Depression - A Deadly Mixture

Depression is a very serious illness that requires treatment. Without treatment, depression can, and often does, lead to suicide or, at the very least, attempted suicide. Unfortunately, many people do not seek treatment, and instead turn to "self-medicating" with drugs and alcohol.

People who suffer from depression do not enjoy it. They are not just trying to get attention. They really do want to feel better -- unfortunately, however, they can't see a way to do that. Then, if they use drugs or alcohol, they have a brief period where they are feeling better -- while the drugs or alcohol are in effect.

Because they really do want to feel better, and they have experienced feeling better with the drugs or alcohol, they will often use the drug of booze over and over again to either maintain or re-experience "feeling good again." Unfortunately, this leads to huge problems.

Obviously, addiction and other health concerns come into play with the use of alcohol or drugs. But these substances can also increase the risk of suicidal attempts -- and successes -- as well. Alcohol is a depressant -- not an antidepressant.

It is true that when one starts drinking, they feel a "buzz" of sorts, but as they continue to drink, the alcohol will actually bring them down even further, from a mental viewpoint. The buzz quickly passes -- but when they look back at it, all they either remember or allow themselves to think about is that brief buzzed feeling. The same is true with many drugs.

But once the "buzz" has passed, and the drunkenness or drugged state progresses, the depression actually deepens. In a drunken or drugged state, the person may not be able to see any bit of hope, and they are more likely to try to commit suicide.

If you are depressed, avoid drugs and alcohol completely. Talk to your doctor, and get the rundown on how these substances, as well as other substances, may affect your depression, and hinder your treatment.