Alcoholism and depression

Do you have an alcohol problem?  It could be a warning sign of depression.  However, if you have been drinking too much for some time, I am not surprised that you are feeling depressed.  It all becomes a vicious circle.

'Chris' wrote several searingly honest articles on his experience of alcoholism and depression.  Here I am going to use what he wrote in the article about the symptoms of alcoholism to explain the link between alcoholism and depression.

If you are a partner or spouse of someone with an alcohol problem, I hope that you will find the following helpful too.  Not infrequently have I, as a marriage guidance counsellor, seen couples with one of the partners/spouses complaining about the other's drinking.  They often know very well that he/she is dealing with an alcohol problem, as well as depression.

Signs of depression

Start by looking at my page on signs of depression.  I have published a list with links to several recognised depression questionnaires.

On that page, I have also detailed what I would check with clients who come to me for counselling for their depression.

The next section describes the link between alcohol and depression ...

Alcoholism and signs of depression

Below is a list of common questions that your doctor or counsellor might ask you to find out if you are suffering from depression.  I have linked it to what Chris has written for you to understand how alcoholism invariably leads to depression.

Do you feel down most of the time?

Chris comments on how low his self-esteem was and how his relationships failed.  In the end there was nothing to look forward to.  He felt lonely, even around other people.  The drink took all that made life worthwhile.  How is that for you now?

Giving and receiving attention, a sense of community and intimate relationships are essential emotional needs.  You are born to connect with other people.  If you are no longer able to meet these essential emotional needs, than it is no surprise that you are depressed.  The need for alcohol is taking precedence over anything else.

Do you feel sad?

If you have a significant alcohol problem, you may well have good reasons to feel sad - you may have lost a great deal in your life already, depending on what stage you are at.  However, note how Chris also describes how he suffered from "self-pity on steroids"!

Sadness is a very common symptom of depression.

Please note though: as a counsellor I have too often had people who had been diagnosed as suffering from depression, but if you have suffered a significant loss in your life it is normal to feel sad!  If someone has died, you have lost your family through the drink, you have lost your job and you have lost control to the alcohol addiction - then of course you are feeling sad.

Has your appetite changed?

If you are drinking too much than you increasingly get your calories from the drink.  You may have stopped caring about eating healthy nutritious food, not wanting to bother.  This of course changes your appetite.

People who are depressed in any case tend to either over-eat (comfort eating) or under-eat.

Do you feel tired all the time?

A poor diet leads to a vitamin and mineral deficiency.  That makes it very likely that you lack energy to do anything meaningful.

Do you have difficulties concentrating?

If you are depressed and your focus is often on where to get your next fix from, there is little space in your head for anything uplifting.  In a sense depression is a selfish disease - you think about yourself and how you feel for most of the day.

Do you have difficulties falling asleep or do you wake up early in the morning feeling exhausted?

Alcohol disrupts the natural sleep/wake cycle.  An important aspect of healthy sleep is dream sleep.  During dream sleep our brain decompresses left-over daytime concerns resulting from unfulfilled expectations by means of metaphorical representations.

Sleeping and in particularly dreaming are important for your mental well-being.  Not only that, but we know how a lack of sleep also leads to relationship problems.  Double whammy - your relationship may already be in trouble if you are drinking too much.

Do you suffer from low self-esteem, lack of confidence?

Confidence and self-esteem come from being competent in several areas of your life.  An alcohol problem early on does not necessarily get in the way of someone engaging in enjoyable, worthwhile and fun activities and hobbies, or even work.  However, an alcoholic is likely to lose friends and money.  This invariably means that opportunities and social gatherings diminish.  This, and the need to drink - often in secret - meant further withdrawal.

Note how Chris comments in his article on alcoholism stages on him standing at the side lines, with a can in his hand, watching his friends play football and thinking he used to be good at that game.

Also, a person may well have started drinking in an attempt to cover up an existing low self-esteem.

Have you stopped doing the things you used to enjoy?

Following on from the previous question - it is very likely you have.  Loss of interest in all kinds of activities: sex, personal hygiene/grooming, social interactions and hobbies, are common.

For you: only your drinking 'friends' will want to include you, but you're strapped for cash or can't be bothered anymore.  Ultimately start to favour drinking above any other activity.

Do you easily feel irritable and angry?

Irritability, anger, restlessness and anxiety are all symptoms of depression.  However, they are also symptoms in someone who is being prevented from having his/her next drink.

Again you can see how both alcoholism and depression are interlinked.  From the Human Givens (see links further down) point of view there is no point in separating the two, when someone comes for treatment.

Do you feel guilty about all sorts of things?

A sense of guilt is a killer - particularly when as an alcoholic you know that you are letting people down.  That is if you are past the denial.  The guilt often feels unbearable.  Much easier to have another drink than suffer.

Have you found yourself thinking about death lately?

Chris describes how, as an alcoholic, he became suicidally depressed: "life was a curse".

People who don't drink to excess, but suffer from depression will often say that they have thought about killing themselves.  ' Suicidal ideation' is not uncommon and it is a myth that those who talk about it, won't actually do it!  Someone who has made a suicide attempt is at risk of doing it again.  So, how is it for you?  Have you contemplated taking your own life?  Have you considered how you would kill yourself?  Have you made plans?

If you could answer just a couple of those questions with a yes, than please do seek help.

If you feel suicidal than you need urgent help.  Speak with someone you trust as soon as possible.

Win over ALCOHOL

Mental signs and symptoms of alcoholism and depression

This is the list of symptoms of alcoholism Chris wrote about:

• low self-esteem/self confidence
• loneliness
• obsession with drinking
• paranoia

Each one is enough to become depressed about.  In addition you may experience memory problems, difficulties with concentration and decision making.  A double whammy if you have an alcohol problem as both depression and alcoholism cause these symptoms.

Treatment of alcohol addiction

A really helpful way of tackling an alcohol problem/addiction is to use hypnosis - a painless, easy and comfortable treatment.  No visit to anyone required with an hypnosis download.  Visit my page: Hypnosis online FAQ to learn more.

Lifestyle choices in alcoholism that lead to depression

• excessive absenteeism
• lying and not lying about drinking
• giving up on hobbies
• failed relationships
• disordered surroundings
• no money
• irresponsibility

Just from looking at this list, it comes as no surprise that an alcoholic is almost per definition depressed.  Alcoholism and depression go hand-in-hand as none of the alcoholic's essential emotional needs ( see my page The Human Givens further down) are being met.  Invariably that also means that the relationship or marriage suffers.  The alcoholic just does not have enough energy/goodwill/motivation and interest for him/herself - let alone to share with a partner/spouse.

You may also be interested in:
Stress management in the workplace Stress and relationship problems Relationship problems Signs of depression Human Givens

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Other helpful links:

Views and News from Norway: Research claims alcoholism is genetic

Images courtesy of: 1 and 3 Konrad Baranski; 2 Clix; 4 Matthew Bowden;

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