Understanding Substance Use Disorder and Depression

Addiction Recovery Publishing Addiction Recovery May 20, 2025

The ancient Chinese philosopher Mencius famously said, “There is no greater delight than to be conscious of sincerity on self-examination.” Yet, many people who struggle with substance use disorder and depression are robbed of this self-examination because they are too overwhelmed by their circumstances. The good news is that access to that self-examination is still possible with the help of the right recovery center. That self-examination will become critical for healing at the cellular level. There are many effective means, methods, and modalities that can help one to fully recover from issues of substance use disorder and depression.

Better Understanding Substance Use Disorder

Substance use disorder (SUD) affects millions of people every day. This is true in every corner of the globe, especially the United States. There are also many reasons why one may struggle with substance use disorder.

According to the peer-reviewed journal World Psychiatry, “Substance use disorders (SUDs) are highly prevalent and exact a large toll on individuals’ health, well‐being, and social functioning. Long‐lasting changes in brain networks involved in reward, executive function, stress reactivity, mood, and self‐awareness underlie the intense drive to consume substances and the inability to control this urge in a person who suffers from addiction (moderate or severe SUD). Biological (including genetics and developmental life stages) and social (including adverse childhood experiences) determinants of health are recognized factors that contribute to vulnerability for or resilience against developing a SUD.” Substance use disorder is also highly prevalent among younger populations, which is also where it tends to take hold.

According to the peer-reviewed journal Human Genetics, “The high 12-month prevalence rates of substance dependence in U.S. adults (about 12% for alcohol and 2-3% for illicit drugs) approximate those of other mental disorders as well as chronic physical disorders with major public health impact. New findings from the nationally representative samples of U.S. youth reveal that the lifetime prevalence of alcohol use disorders is approximately 8% and illicit drug use disorders is 2–3%. The striking increase in prevalence rates from ages 13 to 18 highlights adolescence as the key period of development of substance use disorders.” Depression is also highly prevalent among all populations.

Better Understanding Depression

When discussing depression in this sense, it is important to clarify that it is the discussion of depression as a mental illness. Many people bandy about the term “depression” when they are merely discussing periodic sadness. Clinical depression is much more than merely being “sad.”

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), “Everyone feels sad or low sometimes, but these feelings usually pass with time. Depression (also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression) is different. It can cause severe symptoms that affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working,” and “It is an illness that can affect anyone, regardless of age, race, income, culture, or education.”

So, what exactly is depression? According to the peer-reviewed thesis Depression, by Doctors Chand and Arif, “Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) classifies the depressive disorders into Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, Major depressive disorder, Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia); Premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and Depressive disorder due to another medical condition.” Further, “The common features of all the depressive disorders are sadness, emptiness, or irritable mood, accompanied by somatic and cognitive changes that significantly affect the individual’s capacity to function.” Depression also commonly occurs with substance use disorder.

Substance Use Disorder and Depression: Better Understanding Co-Occurring Disorders

It is very common for mental illness and substance use disorder to manifest in the same person. Now, there is no certainty whether one comes before the other, but it is certain that either can be the beginning or the continuing disorder.

According to NIMH, “People with a SUD may also have other mental health disorders, and people with mental health disorders may also struggle with substance use. These other mental health disorders can include anxiety disorders, depression, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, personality disorders, and schizophrenia, among others. Though people might have both a SUD and a mental disorder, that does not mean that one caused the other.”

It is also true that the symptoms of depression and substance use disorder tend to be more severe when one is struggling with co-occurring disorders. Now, according to the International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, “People with major depressive disorder and comorbid substance use disorder suffer from greater depression severity, worse illness course, poorer recovery rates from both disorders, and increased frequency of suicide attempts. According to a recent systematic review and meta-analysis, the prevalence of any substance use disorder in individuals with MDD was 0.250. Maximum prevalence was found with alcohol use disorder, followed by illicit drug disorder and cannabis use disorder.” Of course, it is critical to first be able to recognize what these symptoms are.

The Signs and Symptoms of Co-Occurring Mental Illness and Addiction

Now, the signs and symptoms of substance use disorder and depression are always going to vary based on the individual. However, one can look out for many universal signs and symptoms of these diseases. The following are just a few of those signs and symptoms:

Having trouble with sleep cycles, including sleeping too much and not sleeping enough (hypersomnia and insomnia)
Exhibiting excessive mood swings
Isolating away from family and close friends
Experiencing trouble at work or school
Losing interest in activities once enjoyed
Having feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, and helplessness
Not being able to stop once starting to drink (or use)
Experiencing physical ailments such as headaches, body aches, and gastrointestinal problems
Feeling anxious, nervous, or overly “stressed out”
Loss of appetite and a lack of care regarding physical appearance and well-being
Engaging in risky behaviors
Causing harm to oneself or others
Having suicidal ideations

Now, as one can see, these signs and symptoms are significant and can even be deadly. This is why reaching out for professional help as soon as possible is crucial. Doing so could mean the difference between short-term side effects and long-term consequences. This is also true with the effects that are felt by the family and close friends.

The Effects of Co-Occurring Disorders on the Family

Now, the family (and close friends) is often the most affected by a loved one’s substance use disorder and depression. The main reason for this is proximity, but it is also true that we tend to hurt those whom we love the most.

It is also important to remember that substance use disorder and depression are diseases. They are not some type of moral failing or “choice.” This is a misconception and a stigma. It is also true that substance use disorder and depression are family diseases. But what exactly does “family disease” mean? Family disease simply means that it affects far more than just the individual who is struggling. This is often why substance use disorder and depression are often referred to as “tornadoes that destroy everyone and everything in their path.” The good news is that there are also modalities that can help the whole family heal from substance use disorder and depression.

Family therapy can be highly effective at helping everyone heal from a loved one’s substance use disorder and depression. According to the Indian Journal of Psychiatry, “Family therapy is a structured form of psychotherapy that seeks to reduce distress and conflict by improving the systems of interactions between family members. It is an ideal counseling method for helping family members adjust to an immediate family member struggling with an addiction, medical issue, or mental health diagnosis. Specifically, family therapists are relational therapists: They are generally more interested in what goes on between the individuals rather than within one or more individuals.” It can also help with a loved one who struggles with relapses.

Understanding the Prevalence of Relapse With Substance Use Disorder and Depression

The fact of the matter is that these diseases often involve chronic relapses. It is just the physical, psychological, and spiritual nature of the diseases.

The good news is that there are many effective relapse prevention plans that can help one recover in the long term. However, the key is to begin the healing process at the cellular level from the very start.

Relapses among people with co-occurring issues of addiction and mental illness are more common than many people may think. According to the peer-reviewed journal BMC Psychiatry, “Relapse refers to the deterioration or recurrence of a patient’s previous illness after either partial or full recovery…. It is frequently observed in various mental illnesses, with relapse rates varying significantly: 52-92% in schizophrenia, 50-90% in substance use disorders, and 65-73% in bipolar disorder,” and “with a relatively low prevalence of 1-2%, severe mental disorders (SMDs) such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, schizoaffective disorder, and depressive psychosis are associated with an increased risk of hospitalization and relapse.”

How to Best Treat Substance Use Disorder and Depression

The good news is that connecting to a responsible and reputable recovery center can help one begin to recover from substance use disorder and depression at the cellular level. But the key is to find a recovery center that focuses on a multi-angled approach. This simply means that they utilize as many means, methods, and modalities for recovery as possible.

Now, this approach should include modalities from all realms of recovery. For example, it should include psychotherapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). A multi-angled recovery plan should also include experiential therapies like horticulture therapy and art therapy, as well as holistic healing methods, and recovery meetings.

Treating Substance Use Disorder and Depression With Psychotherapies

Psychotherapies can be particularly helpful because they help get to the underlying root/core causes of substance use disorder and depression. These therapies help an individual to better see the negative emotions that lead to their negative behaviors and actions.

CBT can be particularly beneficial for individuals struggling with substance use disorder and depression. According to the peer-reviewed journal, BioPsychoSocial Medicine, “CBT is a type of psychotherapeutic treatment that helps people to identify and change destructive or disturbing thought patterns that have a negative influence on their behavior and emotions. Under stressful conditions, some individuals tend to feel pessimistic and unable to solve problems. CBT promotes more balanced thinking to improve the ability to cope with stress.” Holistic healing methods like yoga and meditation can also be highly beneficial for recovery.

Treating Substance Use Disorder and Depression With Holistic Healing Methods

There are many effective holistic healing methods that can help one recover from substance use disorder and depression at the cellular level. This includes holistic healing methods like acupuncture, massage therapy, Reiki, yoga therapy, and mindfulness meditation. These holistic modalities can also be highly effective when used together.

Holistic modalities can offer a myriad of benefits. These benefits can be physical, emotional, mental, and even spiritual. The following are just a few of those exceptional benefits:

Connects individuals with new, relatable people
Encourages spirituality
Acquiring a better sense of self
Finding a better sense of mental balance and clarity
Helping one connect with others and heal relationships
Increased positivity and wellness
Improved breathing
Better strength and posture
A greater focus on mindfulness
Creates empathy
Reduces anxiety and depression
Can help individuals who struggle with suicidal ideations

As one can see, these benefits are vast and varied. These healing methods also work very well with other types of addiction and mental health treatment, making them even more valuable to individuals who are seeking a more comprehensive plan of action. The key is finding the right types of treatments that work together and sticking to them. They also work very well when an individual attends regular recovery meetings.

The Benefits of Recovery Meetings and Connecting With Other People in Recovery

For people with substance use disorder and depression, one of the best things they can do is start to build healthy and genuine relationships. A great place to make this happen is in 12-Step recovery. This is a program that can help one begin to be open and honest about their feelings while also learning to help others on their recovery journey.

Recovery meetings are a great way to engage with a healthy community while also learning accountability. This can be bolstered by the sponsor/sponsee relationship. It is the type of bond that many people with substance use disorder and depression avoid because it can make them feel uncomfortable. But in recovery, this discomfort can disperse. Working with other people in recovery is also a great way to avoid a potential relapse (as previously mentioned). It is said that working with other people is one of the best ways to avoid a relapse.

Now, in the primary text of 12-Step recovery (commonly referred to as the Big Book), the chapter “Working With Others” states, “Practical experience shows that nothing will so much insure immunity from drinking [and using] as intensive work with other [people in recovery]. It works when other activities fail…. You can help when no one else can.” This is the type of life’s purpose that can be critical to recovery for someone with substance use disorder and depression.

Healing at the Cellular Level With Exclusive Hawaii Rehab

Here at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab, we believe exclusively in healing at the cellular level. This is why all of our recovery plans are individualized and comprehensive, with a focus on the future. Also, this includes plans that treat a dual diagnosis, like substance use disorder and depression.

Mencius also famously said, “The great man is he who does not lose his child’s-heart.” It’s time to get back that youthful joy. It is time to recover on Hawaii’s Big Island. You can do this! We can help.

Substance use disorder and depression often go hand in hand. It can be highly beneficial to understand these comorbidities in depth, as well as the best modalities for long-term recovery. The good news is that there are many effective modalities that can help one recover in the long term and at the cellular level. If you feel like you or a loved one is struggling with issues of addiction, mental illness, or co-occurring disorders, we can help get you on the positive path toward long-term recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this process alone. For more information about effective treatments for substance use disorder and addiction, please reach out to Exclusive Hawaii Rehab today at (808) 775-0200.