Alcohol Depression: The bottle may be increasing the
Depression
Foras Aje
Alcohol depression is very grave and should not be one’s
state of living, however just how one can overcome this form
of depression could be quite challenging as two factors are
being addressed here: a substance abuse and an emotional
disturbance.
Dealing with depression means at the moment you may not be
feeling too good. What with low energy, poor sleep and a
general feeling of helplessness, naturally finding a
solution out of being depressed is a much expected step.
Sadly, most people turn to either legal (e.g. Zoloft) and
illegal (e.g. marijuana) drugs or the use of drinking
alcoholic beverages in a quest to ease the pain, however,
research has shown that both illegal drugs and alcohol are
marked depressants. (in spite of the buzz they may
temporarily give) and speaking of depression drugs from
recent studies, these substances just may not be worth the
side-effects.
Now on the subject of alcohol use and depressive illnesses;
this is actually the worst possible strategy for dealing
with depression. Depressed moods can be a direct outcome of
substance abuse. Conversely, use of alcohol by people with a
depressive disorder may increase the severity of their
depression symptoms and thus should be avoided.
Alcohol depression is quite rampant these days as up to 40
per cent of people who drink alcohol heavily have symptoms
that resemble depression. However, when these same people
are not drinking heavily, only 5 per cent of men and 10 per
cent of woman have symptoms meeting the need to be diagnosed
for depression.
Even though when used sparingly, alcohol may briefly produce
a pleasant and relaxed state of the mind, depression
resulting from alcohol is not uncommon. This starts off like
anything else, slowly but picking up intensity with time.
When alcohol is used sparingly, it may for a while lift the
moods; however, when used to treat a depressive illness,
tolerance to the effects of it may lead a patient of
depression to drink more alcohol in search for a positive
effect.
This is where the problems begin, one drinks more
and more and before you know it, alcohol- being a noted
depressant-starts to cause depressive tendencies in the
mind.
Alcohol Depression: Effects and Consequences
Now we all know alcohol confuses judgment and makes one more
impulsive to take risks, moreover it causes a loss of
inhibition and increases aggressive behavior and violent
acts even towards one own self. Consequently, when used as a
means to curb depression, this should be a particular
concern as studies have shown depression can lead to
suicide. Generally, a much higher incidence of suicide, both
completed and attempted, is associated with alcohol
depression.
Moreover, alcohol depression leads to complicated social
disorders such as absenteeism, sickness and
under-performance. Inevitably, marital problems often arise
because of an alcohol problem, add this to the depression
problems at hand, it is not surprising that many marriages
have suffered due to this particular depressive illness.
In regards to health, alcohol depression can cause a lot of
physical problems.
These may arise in the liver in the form
of hepatitis, cirrhosis or liver failure. Stomach Ulcers,
sexual dysfunction and irregular heartbeat are other factors
as well. Now these are just symptoms that result from
excessive alcohol use, add to this the effects of depression
on the body…needless to say, this particular form of
depressive illness is a very serious and grave one. Here are
the symptoms of this particular kind of emotional disorder.
Alcohol Depression: Symptoms indicating its presence
There are a number of pointers that should lead one to
consider if one has an alcohol depression problem. In no
particular order, they include:
1. Using alcohol to try to escape from one’s worries and
trouble.
2. Drinking too much alcohol everyday.
3. Using alcohol to induce sleep.
4. Drinking this excessive alcohol alone.
5. Feeling an immense guilt about one’s excessive drinking.
Thankfully, as with all things there is hope, however one
has to have the desire to change.
Enumerated are some helpful tips for this emotional disorder
resulting from excessive drinking.
Alcohol Depression: Helpful solutions.
Depressive symptoms resulting from alcohol might indeed be
quite difficult to curb, However, as with anything, the more
one works at it, the better the chances of success.
It always helps to know the cause of one’s reckless desire
to drink in the first place. These may be marital, financial
or even spiritual problems. Therefore these issues should be
addressed by competent counseling, reading self-help books
and even a good old talk with one’s creator.
Moreover, a simple fast or restricted diet on a seasonal
juicy fruit can aid to detoxify the body of alcoholic
tendencies. Now this may sound very unconventional, but
according to Professor Arnold Ehret, this method has been
used successfully to aiding many an alcoholic to give up
excessive drinking. Dr. Stanley Burroughs also attested to
this in his writings known as the Master Cleanser. Of course
60% of the battle may perhaps be the patient’s desire for
change in the first place.
In addition, physical exercise, besides occupying one’s
time, also goes a long way to first aiding in detoxifying
the body and helping with alcohol depression as this method
exercises the motor centers of the brain, making the blood
flow away from the emotional activity center; consequently
one becomes more receptive to positive thoughts.
Yoga is highly recommended as a choice for exercise here
as several
benefits lay in its use as an alternative depression
treatment. From the intense relaxation and stress relief
that arises from its use, to the increase of alpha and theta
waves in the right portion of the brain ( a noted
characteristic of optimistic people), yoga as a means of
coping with alcohol depression, though admittedly may be
unconventional, is indeed a wise choice.
One major step in overcoming alcohol depression is the
desire for change. Consequently if a relative or loved one
expresses the need for help, it is advised to immediately
lend a helping hand and walk them through the steps to
redemption.
If however one is alone in these struggles,
well, the internet in constantly making the world a smaller
place or help may just be a phone call away…as long as one
makes the move, the spiritual forces that are ever inherent
in our own minds will guide one to the right path for
success. The tips provided thus far can definitely help as
well.
Alcohol depression need not be one’s state of living, with
the drug-free methods of a positive thinking, and even diet
and proper exercise, its symptoms, causes and effects can
definitely be overcome.
Foras Aje is an independent researcher and author of
Fitness: Inside and out, a book on improving physical and
mental health naturally. For additional information on
depression treatment go to:
http://www.bodyhealthsoul.com/depression.htm
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