Types of Depression: Substance-Induced Mood Disorder

Often, people self-medicate depression with drugs or alcohol. If you use alcohol and other drugs, you are more likely to become depressed. Therefore, alcohol and drug abuse can be both the cause and result of clinical depression. This cycle of drug and alcohol abuse will continue until both of the issues are resolved.

Those with a chemical dependency and depression have a “dual diagnosis.” This simply means that one has both an emotional disturbance and a drug and alcohol problem. Having a “dual diagnosis” means that it may be more difficult to get well, and it is important to be honest with your doctor or therapist about all aspects of your depression.

Please visit the Mood Swings / Mood Disorder home page to learn more about the symptoms, causes and solutions for mood disorder and related emotional disturbances.