Alcohol abuse and depression

Studies have discovered that between 5-10 per cent of people who show signs of depression also abuse alcohol. 

Although alcohol can eradicate the feelings of depression by relaxing the individual and inducing a general feeling of well-being, alcohol abuse and depression are bound together for a number of reasons:

1.  People who suffer the symptoms of depression often use alcohol abuse as a treatment for depression.  Used regularly as a form of medication has a negative effect as individuals try to overcome their depression by drinking to improve their mood or as a means of aiding sleep.

2.  As tolerance to alcohol levels increases, so does the amount needed to induce the required effect.  Larger quantities of alcohol causes a depressant effect which compounds the overall problem.

3.  Both alcohol abuse and depression are very prevalent today - as many as 40 per cent of people who drink heavily show signs of a depressive illness.

4.  Stress caused by key life events can lead to both alcohol abuse and depression.

Depression caused by alcohol abuse

The effects of alcohol abuse and depression are a major concern.  The abuse of alcohol leads to changes of behaviour namely:

1.  Impairment of judgement.
2.  Increase of impulsive behaviour which encourages risk-taking.
3.  Increases chance of aggressive and violent acts.
4.  Anti-social behaviour in the workplace.

Alcohol abuse and stress have considerable negative influences upon home life.  Both drinking and depression can lead to marital problems occurring (although this factor could be the cause) and a breakdown in the family unit.

Another concern is that those showing signs of depression have a greater chance of causing an accident in the home.  Combine this with the fact that alcohol abuse and its effects cause 33 per cent of domestic accidents, 40 per cent of fatal fires within the home and 15-30 per cent of accidents at work and we are faced with a worrying issue.

Consequences of alcohol abuse and depression

A more extreme outcome as the result of alcohol abuse is suicide.  There is a link between suicide and alcohol. 70 per cent of those who commit suicide had been abusing alcohol.

Alcohol abuse and depression - is it inherited?

It has been suggested that there is a genetic link which can increase the chance of an individual suffering from depression and alcoholism.

Depression and alcoholism facts

1.  Children whose parents abuse alcohol are more likely to suffer from the effects of alcohol themselves.  There are two possible causes: they have inherited a lack of alcohol tolerance or genetically, there are similarities in the way their brain responds to alcohol.  Studies support the claim that alcohol abuse affects the chemical make up of the brain which increases the chances of suffering from depression.

2.  Children who have a direct family member who is suffering from depression are more likely to show signs of depression as they mature. 

3.  Relatives of those suffering from depression have an increased risk of developing a depressive illness and experiencing alcohol abuse.

Treatments for depression and alcohol abuse

It is difficult for professionals to establish if an individual is suffering from both depression and alcoholism because the symptoms of depression are very similar to the effects of alcohol abuse.  Those who do drink heavily report feelings of tiredness, inability to sleep well, awaking early in the morning, general feeling of inertia and poor appetite.

To make the situation more complex, those who abuse alcohol can go on to develop depressive illness.  Professionals tend to treat the alcoholism first and see if the depression abates.  If there is no improvement, the professional will then follow with treatment for the depression.