
How Does Outpatient Addiction Treatment Work?
Blog If you’ve been battling an addiction to alcohol or drugs, you know you need to seek treatment. But where do you begin? Not everyone
If there’s one common attribute between every type of addiction, it’s the severe toll that it can take on a person’s mental health. Many addicts struggle with mental illness as well indicating that they suffer from a condition known as comorbidity, which is when a person has additional conditions coexisting with their primary condition. There are numerous types of psychological disorders that may accompany drug or alcohol addiction, including anxiety, depression, schizophrenia or OCD.
A well-known mental disorder seen in addiction patients is seasonal affective disorder (SAD). This condition can significantly impact a person’s mental state, which directly influences their experience with addiction. To better treat patients living with addiction and SAD, it’s important to understand the way these two conditions interact with each other.
Here’s everything you need to know about SAD and its relationship with addiction.
Seasonal affective disorder is a mental health disorder that corresponds with the changing of the seasons. According to the Diagnostic Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM 5), SAD is classified as a form of depression. Unlike major depressive disorder (MDD), SAD is restricted to certain months of the year.
The majority of people with SAD experience symptoms during the fall and winter months. This is due to the waning daylight hours and cold, unpleasant weather. Meanwhile, a much smaller percentage of individuals diagnosed with SAD experience an uptick in symptoms during the spring and summer.
The signs and symptoms of SAD are very similar to those of depression. Some of the most common symptoms include:
In some cases, this mental condition may cause a person to struggle with thoughts of death or suicide. In this situation, it’s crucial to reach out for help to keep yourself or a loved one out of danger.
Since seasonal affective disorder has such a profound impact on mental health, it can also exacerbate addiction. Many people who have been diagnosed with SAD find themselves using drugs or alcohol in an effort to cope with their symptoms. Additionally, if someone is already struggling with addiction, they may find that their substance abuse spikes during the time of year that triggers their SAD.
It’s also worth noting that many SAD symptoms coincide with the symptoms of an addictive disorder. It isn’t uncommon for addicts to experience significant changes in sleep, appetite, energy levels and overall mood. Moreover, after developing an addiction, many people find themselves losing interest in the activities they used to enjoy or having difficulty focusing at work. All of these warning signs are present in both SAD and substance abuse.
Some research suggests that individuals struggling with addiction may be more predisposed to abnormal circadian rhythms. Due to the fact that circadian rhythms play such a defining role in seasonal affective disorder, this helps shed light on why some addicts may struggle with SAD as well.
Because the symptoms of SAD and addiction are closely linked in many ways, it can be difficult to get to the root of the problem. If you or someone you know is exhibiting any of the signs of SAD, it’s crucial to seek help as soon as possible. A mental health professional can evaluate your symptoms and determine whether you’re suffering from SAD, major depression or another mental health condition.
There are a number of different treatment methods for SAD that can help you cope with your condition. One of the most common forms of treatment is light therapy. During a light therapy session, the patient sits in front of a box that emits a bright light for about 20 minutes per day. This option is particularly helpful for individuals who struggle with SAD during the fall and winter.
Other promising forms of treatment for SAD include talk therapy, medication or a combination of the two. However, everyone is unique, and what works for someone else may not work for you. The most effective way to get the results you want from treatment is to focus on doing what’s best for you.
If your addiction is persisting or worsening despite seeking help for SAD, it may be time to find the right addiction treatment program for you. Carefully choosing a treatment plan that is catered to your goals and needs will ultimately allow you to get the most out of the program.
There is a wide range of options to choose from, such as partial hospitalization (PHP), intensive outpatient (IOP) and outpatient (OP) care. No matter what your individual experience with drug or alcohol addiction looks like, you can be matched up with a skilled and experienced treatment specialist who is dedicated to your growth and recovery through Topsail.
As you work to overcome your addiction in Topsail’s nurturing environment, you can also count on receiving personalized attention for any co-occurring disorders you might have, including SAD. This can help empower you to reach your full potential and live the healthy, happy and substance-free life you deserve.
Blog If you’ve been battling an addiction to alcohol or drugs, you know you need to seek treatment. But where do you begin? Not everyone
Blog Have you reassured yourself that you can’t possibly have a drinking problem? After all, you’ve never had a DUI and you’re certainly not homeless
If you’ve been battling an addiction to alcohol or drugs, you know you need to seek treatment. But where do you begin? Not everyone has
Blog Drug addiction is a complex issue that impacts victims in unique ways. Because no two experiences with addiction are exactly alike, it can be
Blog Alcohol addiction has been a persistent social issue for decades, and unfortunately, recent events have only worsened the issue on a societal scale. Research
Blog When you’re trying to get a loved one to admit they have an addiction and enter treatment, you may need a little help. Often,