Conquer Depression and Alcoholism with These 10 Powerful Strategies

Dealing with depression is common when it comes to alcohol use. Depression and alcoholism often go hand in hand in three main ways:

### 1. Episodes of Post-Drinking Depression

When I first began drinking, I rarely felt depressed the next day. Hangovers were uncommon, and blackouts were non-existent at first. However, as my drinking grew worse, blackouts became frequent, and depressive episodes followed. Sometimes, these episodes were so intense that getting out of bed felt impossible. I knew that quitting drinking was the only solution to stop these depressive episodes. Eventually, the growing severity and frequency of these episodes were what made me give up alcohol.

Alcohol is a depressant, meaning it lowers arousal levels and reduces excitability. A drop in blood alcohol level tends to lead to decreased energy, increased fatigue, and feelings of depression.

### 2. Depression as a Withdrawal Symptom

Numerous studies show that depression is a common symptom when withdrawing from alcohol. Often, this depression eases as other withdrawal symptoms subside. However, it can linger, which means that alcoholics might need treatment for depression in addition to their addiction.

### 3. Using Alcohol to Self-Medicate

Alcohol can significantly impact mood, making you feel elated and less depressed. This is why many people use alcohol to self-medicate. However, the downside is that if you stop drinking, you’ll likely experience severe depression, making quitting even more challenging. Fortunately, it’s possible to receive treatment for both alcohol dependency and depression at the same time.

Here are ten strategies that helped me tackle both alcoholism and depression:

### 10 Ways to Handle Your Alcoholism and Depression

1. **See a Doctor**
– If you’re feeling depressed, seek medical advice. Your doctor might suggest medication or other treatment options to quickly help with your depression.

2. **Therapy**
– Therapy can be beneficial for both depression and anxiety, and can also help with sobriety. If your insurance covers it or you can afford it, it’s worth considering.

3. **Stick to Your Recovery Program**
– Just like getting sober, overcoming depression happens gradually. Medication and therapy might be necessary, but continuing with any recovery program you’re in is crucial. If you’re not in one, find one. The support from a recovery program, especially having a sponsor, is invaluable.

4. **Stay Social**
– Depression might make you want to isolate yourself, but spending time with family and friends is essential. Recovery programs are effective partly because they provide a sense of community. Being with others can help fight depression and boost self-confidence.

5. **Pursue Hobbies**
– Engage in activities you’re passionate about and have wanted to do. Keeping busy with something enjoyable can take your mind off your addiction and help you stay occupied.

6. **Adopt a Healthier Lifestyle**
– Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and sufficient sleep can be powerful in combating depression. Personally, exercise was particularly beneficial for me after I became sober.

7. **Set Goals**
– After quitting drinking, I realized I needed goals. Setting and achieving personal goals gave me confidence and motivation to remain sober.

8. **Be Patient**
– Recovery is a process that takes time, just like addiction didn’t happen overnight. Be patient with yourself and work each day towards feeling better.

9. **Believe in Yourself**
– Attending meetings helped me understand that staying sober was worth it and made me believe in my ability to maintain sobriety. Listening to others who had overcome similar struggles was life-saving for me.

10. **Be Honest**
– Honesty with yourself and others is crucial. Admitting you’re an alcoholic and depressed can be tough, but it’s necessary for getting help. Without honesty, turning things around isn’t possible.

While depression can make life challenging, adding alcohol only worsens the situation. There are several steps you can take to address depression, whether alcohol is involved or not. Don’t suffer in silence. Getting sober is a significant step, but it’s also essential to address depression, even in sobriety. Tackling these issues doesn’t mean you’re failing at sobriety; it’s a part of the journey.