How To Cope With Depression In Early Addiction Recovery

It is an unfortunate fact that depression and addiction often go hand-in-hand. However, depression can either be a pre-existing condition to substance abuse and cause addictive behavior or it can be caused as a direct result of substance abuse over a prolonged period of time. Whatever the cause, for someone who has completed drug and alcohol addiction treatment, the symptoms of depression are very real and require management to prevent relapse.

How to Identify the Signs of Depression

Sometimes people are not aware that they have clinical depression and may consider themselves to be a little ‘under the weather’ or ‘below par’. However, the illness is characterized in very specific and evident ways. Here are some signs someone displays if they are suffering from depression:

• Reduced interest in almost every daily activity
• Frequent thoughts of death and suicide
• Significant weight gain or weight loss
• Feelings or restlessness or agitation
• Feeling physically and mentally sluggish
• Lack of focus or concentration
• Sleeping too little or sleeping too much
• Daily bouts of extreme fatigue
• Guilt feelings and low self-esteem

How to Cope with Depression

Pay attention to nutrition and try and avoid fatty foods or too many carbohydrates that can make you feel sluggish and tired. Eat more fruit and drink plenty of water to keep your body cleansed.

Become more physically active and get your body creating more endorphins for a good sense of wellbeing. By using the disciplined approached to your fitness and sticking to a workout schedule, you’ll be encouraging a more motivated and progressive state of mind.

Get involved in yoga or meditation and use them as coping mechanisms for depression. Mindfulness is the best way to get clarity of thought as it teaches you to focus on your breathing to silence the internal dialogue.

Get a pet! Owning a pet is a fantastic way of finding support in recovery. Taking care of another living thing shifts the focus away from you and serves to distract from negative thought processes. Also, having a dog can introduce you to a whole new circle of friends who you’ll meet on your daily constitutionals in the park.

For Addiction Treatment in San Juan Capistrano, CA Contact CASA Recovery

CASA Recovery is a rehabilitation center providing a wide range of alcohol and drug addiction treatment in Orange County, CA. If you are struggling with depression as a result of addiction issues, we are here to help. Our Southern California addiction recovery center provides an accepting environment for you to get the most from the addiction treatment program we devise just for you. To find out more about drug and alcohol addiction treatment in San Juan Capistrano, CA contact CASA Recovery today for a confidential consultation.