Depression due to drug or medication use

Depression due to drug or medication use is something that is frequently seen. The addiction caused by certain substances usually correlates with clearly depressive effects that further alter the social, work, family and health dimensions of the addicted person. These are situations with a great impact within the field of mental health.

On the other hand, when talking about this topic it is easy to instantly visualize drugs such as heroin, cocaine or methamphetamines. However, We overlook a highly relevant aspect such as drug dependence. While it is true that many drugs are regulated and require a medical prescription, there is a silent addiction in our society that is not talked about much.

We know that In recent years (and even months) the consumption of Trankimazin, Orfidal or Noctamid. The consumption of psychotropic drugs and hypnotics is seen as something normal unlike other substances, such as alcohol or cannabis. However, they are equally addictive substances with dangerous side effects.

We analyze it.

Depression due to drug or medication use: types, symptoms and treatment

Depression and addictive behaviors appear together in multiple cases. So much so that it is often difficult to know what has appeared before. It may happen, for example, that a person with a depressive or anxious disorder resorts to the consumption of substances such as alcohol as a means of palliation and escape. It is also common for substance addicts to suffer from depression as an associated illness.

There are many works that show the important relationship between the use and abuse of drugs and certain medications with the presence of mental health problems. Nonetheless, Something that experts focus on is making an adequate diagnosis. Many times depressive symptoms are linked above all to the withdrawal syndrome or to the depressant effect of that substance on the central nervous system.

Let’s get more information.

Alcohol and depression

Research related to depression due to drug and medication use tells us something interesting. According to work from the University of Rochester in New York, the prevalence of major depression is more common among alcohol-dependent people. This type of addiction absolutely diminishes the person’s life, affecting the family, work and personal spheres.

In this way, and to alleviate the negative effect of each failure, loss and disconnection from the social environment, alcohol is even more used as an escape and relief mechanism. All of this forms a dangerous vicious circle that can have truly dramatic endings.

The harmful effects of marijuana use on mental health

Many people use marijuana for its therapeutic properties. So much so that it is very common to use it as a resource to relieve anxiety and even depressive symptoms. However, it is important to take into account the following details:

In research carried out by Washington State University, they tell us that indeed at first Smoking marijuana reduces depression levels, but it does so in the short term. Frequent consumption causes these symptoms to lead to a serious clinical condition in the long term (major depression, psychotic breaks…) On the other hand, we also know that Marijuana use before age 18 significantly increases the risk of depression, psychotic behaviors, and suicidal ideation and attempts. between 18 and 32 years old.

Cocaine, LSD, methamphetamines…

In the study published in The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse It warned of the need to stop differentiating between hard and soft drugs. There is a misconception that depression due to drug and medication use appears especially in those substances that we label as hard. These are also the ones that -apparently- have a greater risk and a greater impact.

However, today alcohol is the number one drug, the one that is most socially accepted and the one that causes the most problems. Methamphetamines or cocaine have a lower consumption rate, but are a high public health risk. Both They are related to episodes of major depression, psychotic episodes and even schizophrenia.

Medications with depressive effects

We pointed it out at the beginning, There are various medications that can have depressant effects if consumed frequently. and (most importantly) without medical supervision. Among them would be the following:

beta blockers, prescribed for the treatment of high blood pressure. Corticosteroids: used to treat inflammatory conditions, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, gout…Benzodiazepines, used to treat anxiety. Medications for Parkinson’s such as levodopa. Stimulants to treat daytime sleepiness.

How is depression due to drug or medication use treated?

Depression due to drug or medication use requires a multifactorial approach. We cannot treat a single dimension, it is necessary to work on both the addictive behavior itself and the depression itself.. Although both are closely related and we often do not know exactly which came first, it will be useful to base ourselves on the following therapies:

Cognitive behavioral therapy: intended to facilitate the development of strategies aimed at increasing self-control. To do this, we work on ideas, attitudes, beliefs, thoughts, emotions… Training in coping skills.Tools to prevent relapses.Group therapy.Family therapy.

To conclude, these are always highly complex realities that must be addressed individually, being sensitive to the reality of each patient. We cannot ignore that All types of addiction (and not just those related to substance abuse) lead to mental health problems.

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