A dual diagnosis occurs when someone suffers from a mental health disorder such as depression and abuses substances such as alcohol, reports Help Guide. A person who struggles with depression might begin to drink to self-medicate and numb her feelings. Someone who abuses alcohol might develop depression due to issues that drinking regularly produces. Often, it's hard to tell which one came first.
Symptoms
All areas of a person's life--including relationships, school and work--will be impacted by alcoholism and depression. The person might isolate himself from his friends and family members, become irritable when questioned about his problems, come late to work or not show up at all, spend large amounts of money on alcohol and act recklessly. He might appear hopeless and seem to be unhappy most of the time. Someone with depression and an alcohol addiction will spend most of his time obtaining alcohol or drinking alcohol. He won't be able to stop after just one drink or drink responsibly; he'll drink alone and probably lie about how much he drinks.
Effects
Teens who struggle with alcoholism and depression often have major issues in school. They might skip school and fail their classes, leading to the inability to get a higher education. Adults often get demoted or fired from their jobs after coming to work drunk, calling in sick too many times and not being able to concentrate while at work. Teens and adults with these two issues often put their lives in danger by drinking and driving, having unprotected sex and doing other reckless things without considering the consequences.
Treatment
Teens and adults with depression and alcoholism need treatment for both issues in order for the treatment to be effective, according to Medline Plus. Many times, the patient will need detoxification to safely stop drinking, and then both issues can be addressed through medication, such as antidepressants, and counseling. Depending on the level of substance abuse and depression, individual and family counseling, intensive outpatient rehabilitation or inpatient rehabilitation may be recommended. Group treatment options might also be included in the treatment plan.
Misconceptions
Many people don't realize that older adults are at risk for depression and alcoholism. The American Federation for Aging Research reports that many elderly adults suffer from depression and use alcohol to mask their feelings. Physicians should always screen their patients for both of these problems, because older adults are more likely to suffer from loneliness, loss and hopelessness. After some older adults retire, they wonder what they have to offer the world.
Warning
Psych Central reports that someone who suffers from depression and abuses alcohol is much more likely to attempt suicide and succeed at it. Alcohol increases the symptoms of depression and it impairs a person's judgment. Someone who suffers from both of these problems needs immediate professional help in order to prevent suicidal ideation and attempts. They can get help by calling the police, going to their local psychiatric emergency room or calling a mental health professional.
