Dual Diagnosis Treatment: Depression and Substance Use Disorder

Depression is a mood disorder that commonly co-occurs with substance use disorder. There is often a vicious cycle in depressive disorders and substance abuse disorders in which they intensify the effects of each other. Depression can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and suicidal ideation. Dual diagnosis treatment is the best way to address and manage both disorders.

What is Depression?

Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness or loss of interest.[1]

When you’re depressed, life doesn’t have the same zing, energy, and hope you usually enjoy. Depression is influenced by a disturbance in serotonin activity levels in your central nervous system.[2] Serotonin is responsible for feelings of happiness and well-being.

Sadness is a defining characteristic of most depressive cases, but you might also feel empty or irritable. Unfortunately, due to societal stigma, up to 60% of people who suffer from depression do not seek treatment.[3] Depression can also increase your risk for suicidal thoughts and ideations. 

Some different kinds of depressive disorders include:[4]

• Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (children/adolescent irritability)
• Major depressive disorder (Severe depression)
• Persistent depressive disorder (Moderate depression)
• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (Severe mood swings during a woman’s cycle)
• Depressive disorder due to another medical condition

Many sufferers attempt to blunt the experience of depression with substance abuse. Alcoholism is often a co-occurring disorder and can exacerbate the negative feelings which lead to depression in the first place.

Common Symptoms of Depression

To be clinically diagnosed as “depressed,” an official diagnosis must be made according to the criteria included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5).[5] 5 out of 9 criteria must be present daily (“depressed mood” or “interest/pleasure reduction” is mandatory) for two consecutive weeks[6]:

• Inconsistent sleep
• Loss of interest or pleasure in formerly satisfying activities
• Non-specific worthiness or guilt
• Tiredness
• Lack of maintaining focus
• Dietary disruptions
• Changes in the way you talk, walk or move
• Thoughts of suicide
• Persistent negative mood

Depression Statistics

In the United States, over 15 million physician office visits were conducted in 2019 in which various depressive disorders were the primary diagnosis.[7] In all physician visits, 11% of them listed depression on the medical record.[8] Out of the 1 billion total physician visits in 2019, approximately 110 million of them reported the presence of depression.

Females are 1.5 to 3x times more likely than males to experience depression beginning in adolescence.[9] In the United States, depression accounts for nearly 40,000 cases of suicide every year.[10] 

For comparison, in 2021, all opioid-related deaths accounted for about 80,000 deaths. That means there are half (50%) as many deaths attributed to depression as there are deaths attributed to the entirety of opioids.

Depression and Substance Abuse

Depression and substance abuse often co-occur. Depression symptoms can lead to substance abuse and vice versa. The experience of depression can lead sufferers to self-medicate with substances like alcohol or other drugs. 

Depression and drug addiction can create a vicious cycle. Oftentimes alcohol is abused by depressive disorder sufferers due to its central nervous system (CNS) depressant effects. Unfortunately, the euphoria from drinking is a fleeting sensation. 

Despite the initial dopamine surge you get from drinking, your body will still feel the lack of serotonin needed to stay happy. The best way to address depression is with holistic, medical, and mental health treatment that addresses both substance or alcohol use and depressive disorders. 

Dual Diagnosis: Depression and Substance Abuse

One helpful treatment for co-occurring disorders like depression and substance abuse is Dual Diagnosis treatment. A dual diagnosis treatment program identifies each disorder and then applies unique interventions for each. 

Co-occurring disorders tend to intensify the effects of the other, leading to a vicious cycle that is hard to escape. Dual diagnosis programs will address each disorder as a separate diagnosis that needs its own individualized treatment plan.

Common dual diagnosis treatments for depression and substance use disorder may include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• ACT Therapy
• EMDR Therapy
• Psychoeducation
• Experiential
• Family Therapy

Also, levels of care in which treatment for co-occurring substance use disorder and depression occurs may include:

• Detox
• Partial Hospitalization Program
• Intensive Outpatient Program
• Outpatient Care
• Aftercare

Cost of Dual Diagnosis Treatment for Depression

The cost of dual diagnosis treatment for depression and substance abuse can depend on a number of factors. Your needs, history, and desired lifestyle during treatment play a big part in what the cost will be.

The higher level of care you need, the longer your treatment may be and the more it will cost. The length of stay, intensity of care, and different kinds of therapies chosen will all play a part in determining the cost. 

It’s possible that insurance may cover some or all of your treatment. For a customized cost evaluation, call now.