There is a close relationship between depression and alcoholism, and they can influence each other. Depression can lead people to seek solace in alcohol, to turn to alcohol to alleviate symptoms, and alcoholism can make depression symptoms worse.
Depression is a mood disorder identified by persistent unhappiness, loss of interest in daily activities, and changes in appetite, sleep, and energy. Depression can also cause feelings of anxiety and hopelessness.
Both alcoholism and depression are complex psychological problems, and it is essential to work with a mental health professional (they will assess your case and help you set goals).
Can you quit alcohol without help?
Some people indeed manage to give up alcohol without help, but in most cases, it is advisable to seek professional help. Alcoholism is a chronic and complex disease; quitting alcohol can be difficult, and relapses can occur.
Without help, overcoming alcohol withdrawal-related challenges such as withdrawal symptoms, anxiety, and depression can be especially difficult (especially if you have irrational ideas about alcohol and stress).
How to support a loved one who is trying to quit alcohol
Here are five essential tips:
- Listen actively, show understanding and empathy
- Don’t judge or criticize: This can drive her away from you and complicate the recovery process. No one chooses to suffer an addiction.
- Offer support – help her find resources and tools to quit alcoholism, encourage her to focus on finding solutions
- Communicate Your Limits – No one forces you to be Superman or Superwoman. You don’t have to be able to with everything. You have every right to say, “I don’t know how to manage this,” and talk about it.
- Helps the person stay busy and focused on their health: Helps them remain active and involved in healthy activities, such as exercise, outdoor activities, support group meetings, therapy sessions, etc. This will help you keep your mind off alcohol.
Coping strategies and long-term maintenance
Once quitting alcohol has been achieved, it is essential to continue working on coping strategies and long-term maintenance to prevent relapse. CBT offers several effective strategies to help people stay sober for the long term.
One strategy is to learn stress-coping skills, such as relaxation, meditation, and diaphragmatic breathing, to help manage stress and difficult emotions effectively without resorting to alcohol.
Another strategy is working with distorted thoughts. In CBT, it is essential to identify and change negative conviction patterns that can lead to relapse, such as thinking that you will not be able to handle difficult situations without alcohol or that you will never enjoy life without it.
It is also essential to identify risk situations that can cause relapses. These may include social problems where alcohol is commonly used or times of stress or excitement. Once these situations are identified, specific strategies can be planned to manage them effectively.
CBT also works to strengthen the person’s support networks. This can include friends and family members who support sobriety and joining a support group for people who have left alcoholism.
It is important to remember that long-term abstinence maintenance is an ongoing process and that relapses are part of it. It is normal to feel frustrated, but it is essential to approach relapses proactively, identify the causes and make changes to avoid them in the future (learn from our mistakes).…