At South Tampa Psychiatry, we know that your need for mental and physical well-being doesn’t go away in times of crisis. If anything, that need is heightened, especially for individuals struggling with depression and addiction issues. In this period of self-isolation, the isolation that naturally comes with depression, anxiety, and trauma can be markedly worse. And in quarantine, reports indicate that drug and alcohol consumption increases dramatically. As the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has recently reported, this is an unfortunate side effect of self-isolation. And this can make depression and alcohol a dangerous combination.
Many people may be enjoying time away from work and with family. But with quarantine comes boredom. And that boredom, combined with the anxiety surrounding the global pandemic, the worry about family and friends, and the general uncertainty about the future, can lead to adverse outcomes, particularly as regard depression and alcohol. Thankfully, essential medical services like the programs we offer at South Tampa Psychiatric continue to provide care.
Depression and Alcohol: The Importance of Dual Diagnosis
The relationship between depression and alcohol is well-known. And so if you are struggling with addiction, a treatment center that offers dual diagnosis treatment near Palm Harbor should be at the top of your list. Too often, addiction treatment centers attempt to treat addiction without examining or treating the underlying mental issues that underpin it. At South Tampa Psychiatry, we specialize in a practice called “dual diagnosis.” Simply put, this means treating the addiction while also addressing any underlying mental issues fueling that addiction. Addiction specialists have known for a long time that people suffering from anxiety, depression, and PTSD are more likely to develop an addiction. And treating the addiction without addressing the mental condition underpinning it is a recipe for relapse.
Avoiding the Negative Effects of Depression and Alcohol
There are several strategies that you can fall back on if you are worried about depression and alcohol while in isolation. As the stress begins to build, make sure that you:
- Have a “sober quarantine” plan. With a little forethought, you can put plans into place that allow you to maintain sobriety while self-isolating. This may mean seeking out virtual 12-step meetings, maintaining contact with sponsors, or reaching out to a network of peers. Just because you are avoiding group contact doesn’t mean that you can’t reach out in other ways.
- Avoid high-risk situations. You will not, obviously, be physically socializing, but self-isolation can be just as risky as social contact, if not more so. When the social distancing gets to be too much, go for a walk, commit to fostering a dog who needs a home, or phone a friend or family member to check in. A little bit of contact and purpose can turn your whole day around.
- If you feel a relapse is coming on, reach out. Even with a plan in place, temptation lurks around every corner, especially in quarantine. And it is easy to avoid getting help when you are busy adjusting to this “new normal.” Initiating treatment or returning to a quality addiction treatment center like South Tampa Psychiatry during this period of isolation might be the best gift you can give yourself.
Reach Out to South Tampa Psychiatry Today
If you are worried about the relationship between depression and alcohol — whether for yourself or someone you care about — you have already taken the first step. Because we do not know how long the current global health crisis will last, it is now time to take the next step and reach out for professional help. The experienced, compassionate medical staff at South Tampa Psychiatric have years of experience helping individuals in need of dual diagnosis treatment and are waiting for your call. Free yourself from the cycle of depression and alcohol with treatment near Palm Harbor, FL. Contact us online or by calling 866.273.5017.
