The Chicken or the Egg?
Did the depression cause the drinking, or did the drinking cause the depression? The answer is often "both." According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), approximately 9.2 million adults in the U.S. have a co-occurring disorder. In the Inland Empire, this is a major focus of modern treatment.
Common Co-Occurring Disorders
- Anxiety & Benzodiazepines: Many users start taking Xanax or Valium to manage panic attacks, leading to a deadly dependency.
- Depression & Alcohol: Alcohol is a depressant, yet it provides temporary relief from emotional pain, creating a vicious cycle.
- PTSD & Opiates: Trauma survivors often use numbing agents to escape flashbacks.
- Bipolar Disorder & Stimulants: The manic highs of bipolar disorder can mimic, or be exacerbated by, meth and cocaine use.
The Integrated Care Model
Old school treatment separated these issues: "Get sober first, then treat the depression." This does not work. Evidence-based practice now demands Integrated Care. Facilities like Canyon Ridge Hospital in Chino and Everlast Recovery in Riverside use this model.
Integrated care means:
- Unified Team: Psychiatrists and addiction counselors talk to each other daily.
- Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT): Using non-narcotic medications (like SSRIs for depression or Naltrexone for cravings) to stabilize brain chemistry.
- Therapeutic Modalities: using CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) to change thought patterns and DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) to tolerate distress.
Finding the Right Help
If you suspect you have a dual diagnosis, do not settle for a "bare-bones" rehab. Ask specific questions: "Do you have a psychiatrist on staff?" "Do you offer DBT?" Your recovery depends on treating the whole person, not just the substance use.