“Depression and Alcohol..Chicken or the egg?”
I have been dealing with an alcohol addiction for many years now. I am a 54 year old married man with a great life..good job, healthy kids and a wonderful wife. Since I was a young adult I have struggled with a dependence on alcohol to lift my mood. I always seem to feel a general feeling of being unhappy and anxious. I have gone to AA meetings and have been able to stop drinking for 6 months now. I still feel depressed. My question is- am I depressed because of my alcoholism or am I an alcoholic because I am depressed? My general practitioner recommended taking Zoloft, would that help me?
15 Answers
You said it right, it is chicken or egg situation either way you need treatment for depression. Zoloft is a good medication for depression but every one is different, you have to try it to know if it works for you.
Dear Sir,
Which came first chicken or the egg is like spinning your wheels, so I would rather you spend your energy on finding solutions. Regarding medicine, as I am a licensed psychologist and not a licensed psychiatrist, that is out of my expertise area. You need to consult with a psychiatrist regarding psychotropic medicines.
Meanwhile, I can suggest some reading resources such as "The Alcoholism and Addiction Cure: A holistic approach to total Recovery, How to Heal the Underlying causes, how to end relapse, how to end suffering" by Chris Prentiss, "Feeling Good" by "David Burns", "The Easy way to stop Drinking" by Allen Carr.
Take care.
Dr. Sonpal
Which came first chicken or the egg is like spinning your wheels, so I would rather you spend your energy on finding solutions. Regarding medicine, as I am a licensed psychologist and not a licensed psychiatrist, that is out of my expertise area. You need to consult with a psychiatrist regarding psychotropic medicines.
Meanwhile, I can suggest some reading resources such as "The Alcoholism and Addiction Cure: A holistic approach to total Recovery, How to Heal the Underlying causes, how to end relapse, how to end suffering" by Chris Prentiss, "Feeling Good" by "David Burns", "The Easy way to stop Drinking" by Allen Carr.
Take care.
Dr. Sonpal
Hi,
That is an excellent question and one that many people wonder. As an addiction psychiatrist for almost 10 years, I can say that my observations have been that folks are struggling with a mood and/or anxiety disorder that led to the drug use. We all do something to cope with our emotional (and physical) pain and alcohol is one of the ways that people cope. Some of us eat, shop, take other drugs, use the internet, have sex, etc. I'd respectfully recommend that you seek out a psychiatrist who specializes in dual diagnosis patients and then strongly consider talk therapy to get at the root of why you drink. Many folks can trace their pain back to childhood traumas. I have to tell you that digging into the "whys" will be painful, but the question is are you emotionally prepared to find out the "whys" so you can start to fix the underlying issue or are you not ready to process the truths. My sense is that's why your sobriety is short-lived--the true reason for your drinking has not yet been sorted out.
I thank you for your question and am keeping warm thoughts for you. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Take care of yourself, Tanya
That is an excellent question and one that many people wonder. As an addiction psychiatrist for almost 10 years, I can say that my observations have been that folks are struggling with a mood and/or anxiety disorder that led to the drug use. We all do something to cope with our emotional (and physical) pain and alcohol is one of the ways that people cope. Some of us eat, shop, take other drugs, use the internet, have sex, etc. I'd respectfully recommend that you seek out a psychiatrist who specializes in dual diagnosis patients and then strongly consider talk therapy to get at the root of why you drink. Many folks can trace their pain back to childhood traumas. I have to tell you that digging into the "whys" will be painful, but the question is are you emotionally prepared to find out the "whys" so you can start to fix the underlying issue or are you not ready to process the truths. My sense is that's why your sobriety is short-lived--the true reason for your drinking has not yet been sorted out.
I thank you for your question and am keeping warm thoughts for you. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Take care of yourself, Tanya
It's a good question and you are so right about chicken or egg situation. It's difficult at times to figure that out, especially if there is no h/o a psychiatric problem like depression.
You might want to ask yourself some questions like what was the feeling you got when you first started drinking. If that made you feel normal, that means you were probably dealing with some anxiety or depression and now felt comfortable. You took it as your coping skill, something that worked for you and never felt the need for help. With time, you started developing tolerance and started feeling guilty and drank more. Ultimately, alcohol started drinking you. So that's probably what happened in your case depending on your childhood and circumstances growing up.
6 months of sobriety is good, but beware of the tendency to relapse every 3 months. Usually, we wait one month after detox from drugs or alcohol to diagnose psychiatric problems whether it was alcohol and drug-related or has been masked by the use. Continue Zoloft, it's a good choice.
You might want to ask yourself some questions like what was the feeling you got when you first started drinking. If that made you feel normal, that means you were probably dealing with some anxiety or depression and now felt comfortable. You took it as your coping skill, something that worked for you and never felt the need for help. With time, you started developing tolerance and started feeling guilty and drank more. Ultimately, alcohol started drinking you. So that's probably what happened in your case depending on your childhood and circumstances growing up.
6 months of sobriety is good, but beware of the tendency to relapse every 3 months. Usually, we wait one month after detox from drugs or alcohol to diagnose psychiatric problems whether it was alcohol and drug-related or has been masked by the use. Continue Zoloft, it's a good choice.
You are an alcoholic, but it sounds like you also have a depressive illness. These 2 conditions are present together at times.
In my experience, alcohol use/abuse is more often a symptom rather than the cause.
That's a difficult question to answer. The bottom line is, yes you could be self medicating your depression but alcohol is a depressant so it could be the cause. You won't know for approximately a year after you quit drinking if the depression is really there. It takes your brain that long to heal. So at this point, whether or not the alcohol is the cause isn't really relevant. Your doctor has examined you and determined you need an antidepressant. You should follow his or her advice because, for now, your physician has apparently identified the symptoms of depression in you. Just make sure he/she is aware you have a drinking problem so they can choose the appropriate medication if they still believe it is necessary. Sit down with your doctor and talk to him or her about your concerns. Remember, a physician's job is to be non-judgmental and to educate you.
Many of my patients began drinking at a young age because it seemed to help them with anxiety, depression and stress. In reality, alcohol never solves these problems on a permanent basis. How wonderful that you've taken the steps to
attend AA meetings and have stopped drinking for six months! Zoloft is one of many different antidepressants that can help with your mood. However, I would suggest that you also see a therapist with whom you can engage in one-on-one talk therapy to truly understand the source of your depression. The medication can help with your brain chemistry, but talk therapy allows you to put your experience in words that allow you to develop positive coping skills.
attend AA meetings and have stopped drinking for six months! Zoloft is one of many different antidepressants that can help with your mood. However, I would suggest that you also see a therapist with whom you can engage in one-on-one talk therapy to truly understand the source of your depression. The medication can help with your brain chemistry, but talk therapy allows you to put your experience in words that allow you to develop positive coping skills.
Alcoholism and depression are often comorbidities. Psychiatric consultation (ask your GP) is probably wise before undertaking sertraline dosing.
As a psychologist, I can't give you advise about medication specifically in
your case. But I can say that reseach has found that Cognitive-behavior
Therapy and antidepressant medication are effective treatments for
depression. Which treatment, or combination, is best for a given individual
requires clinical assessment.
your case. But I can say that reseach has found that Cognitive-behavior
Therapy and antidepressant medication are effective treatments for
depression. Which treatment, or combination, is best for a given individual
requires clinical assessment.
If you have a true alcohol addition, you need to receive specific treatment for that. Indeed, we now have treatments that are safe and effective for alcohol use disorder. You may also have a depressive illness. I would suggest a consultation with a Psychiatrist knowledgeable about both conditions, to best get a solid diagnosis, then proceed with treatment.
It's difficult to point out with the scenario described if you started drinking to overcome depression but one thing I can point out is that alcohol can be a depressant itself and bring out the numbed emotions while discontinuing. It will be helpful to add a medication while trying to quit alcohol.
Sure that may help, but Medical doctors and Psychiatrist hand out medication like candy at times. I would maybe try the medication and seek a therapist at the same time. The therapist will open up your mind and options and let you help yourself, instead of being dependent on a mentor from AA or any other organization. Most Alcoholics are depressed and use alcohol as medication or a stimulant.
First, let me say congratulations on your 6 months of sobriety! I hope you will continue going to AA meetings. Although there is no direct cause/effect between alcohol use and depression, there is a correlation, and the two often go hand in hand. An anti-depressant would be a great help with your depression, and while your GP is probably well versed on medications, I would highly recommend seeing a psychiatrist for the specific one to take in your case.
I am very happy for your 6 months sobriety.
Zoloft or any other SSRI may be helpful, as it sounds you have been self-medicating with alcohol for your long standing anxiety and depression. As you probably know, while alcohol actually increases anxiety and depression, Zoloft or other SSRIs alleviate both anxiety and depression. I will encourage you to also reach out to a clinical psychologist as psychotherapy is very helpful for treating anxiety and depression.
Sincerely,
Dr. Hirshfeld
Zoloft or any other SSRI may be helpful, as it sounds you have been self-medicating with alcohol for your long standing anxiety and depression. As you probably know, while alcohol actually increases anxiety and depression, Zoloft or other SSRIs alleviate both anxiety and depression. I will encourage you to also reach out to a clinical psychologist as psychotherapy is very helpful for treating anxiety and depression.
Sincerely,
Dr. Hirshfeld
